Source: Team_Talk
Latics boss eyes derby lift
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez believes a tough and passionate derby against Preston on Wednesday night could provide the spark his players need.[LNB] Martinez's side suffered their third defeat in five Premier League games as Manchester City won at the DW Stadium on Sunday.[LNB]Wigan are 18th in the table with just four points and need a lift ahead of a trip to Birmingham at the weekend.[LNB]Martinez is hoping that will come as Championship side Preston travel 21 miles down the M6 for a Carling Cup third-round tie.[LNB]The Spaniard is expecting a lively affair, even though Preston have endured their own troubles this term, and wants his players to feed off the atmosphere.[LNB]Martinez said: "They have got nothing to lose and are going to make it very difficult.[LNB]"We know it is not going to be easy and we will have to be very professional and ready.[LNB]"In the cup competitions there are no big differences on the pitch.[LNB]"It is a big rivalry. We haven't played against them for a little while now but it is a derby.[LNB]"It is a game that is going to have extra tension and for the foreign players it is going to be a unique experience.[LNB]"It is a unique opportunity to show what they can do."[LNB]Wigan reached the final of the competition in 2006 but Martinez does not want to make bold predictions of another prolonged run.[LNB]Having successfully kept the club in the top flight last season, Martinez intends to build his team gradually.[LNB]"It would be a long-term ambition of the football club and for our chairman it would be a deserved award," he said.[LNB]"We were very close not long ago against Manchester United in the final but at the moment they are just dreams and long-term ambitions.[LNB]"We are going to go into each game wanting to win and see where that takes us.[LNB]"The short-term ambition at the moment is exactly the same, just fulfilling the potential of the squad."[LNB]Martinez is considering making changes for the home clash.[LNB]Victor Moses, Mauro Boselli, James McArthur and Steven Caldwell are all pushing for starts.[LNB]Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland will hope for another chance after losing his place to Ali Al Habsi.[LNB]"Now is the time to utilise the whole squad and this game is ideal for that," Martinez said.
