Source: Team_Talk
Latics gaffer hoping to build
Roberto Martinez says there is little difference between his Wigan side and Saturday's opponents West Brom in terms of football philosophy.[LNB] Comparisons between the two clubs are obvious, with both having young managers who like to play an attractive brand of football.[LNB]However, while Wigan have managed to survive and are in their sixth successive season in the Premier League, West Brom have been the archetypal yo-yo club.[LNB]But having come up from the Championship last season they are making a better job of things this time around, sitting 11th, while the Latics are currently in the bottom three.[LNB]Wigan had similar difficulties last season before pulling clear late in the season and, after a number of squad changes in the summer, Martinez has started to see improvements in the last few games, culminating in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool.[LNB]And he remains faithful to his principles, insisting there is scope for clubs the size of Wigan to stay up by playing football.[LNB]"One thing is clear; it is important to know how you play and your style because that is for the long-term ambitions of the club but we are working for the short-term and the future," he said.[LNB]"It doesn't matter how you play, everything is to win. Sometimes you need to sacrifice certain results in the short term to achieve a certain level.[LNB]"But to say you would prefer to get relegated playing good football is wrong - I don't believe it is good football if you don't win games.[LNB]"In football it is about winning and being competitive on the pitch and it is important to develop a way to play which allows you to win games.[LNB]"West Brom had a fantastic start to the campaign and have taken the league by storm.[LNB]"They have a successful team with certain players entering the best moments of their careers, having added just a few in the summer.[LNB]"The players and manager know each other well and have been together for a long time.[LNB]"Promoted teams get that momentum to carry into the season and West Brom's quality of play allows them to do that.[LNB]"For me it is not a real surprise how well they have done."[LNB]Martinez was impressed with the way his players dominated the game against Liverpool in midweek but knows they have to now build on that as a number of results have not gone their way this season.[LNB]But even though Latics are currently 18th in the table, the Spaniard is not concerned.[LNB]"I felt the second half against Liverpool was the best performance of the season and it has left the camp full of confidence, wanting to get out there and get a win," he said.[LNB]"For 45 minutes we put it all together, had a great purpose and looked a real threat and the understanding we have been working on looked evident.[LNB]"Now is the moment to start putting it together, getting the points we deserve and it is important to get a winning run going.[LNB]"Being in the bottom three is sometimes a difference of one or two points and at this stage of the season that could be a referee's decision.[LNB]"If I was in seventh position I wouldn't be too positive and being in the bottom three doesn't affect me yet because your position in the table doesn't matter in November.[LNB]"But it is crucial we get a win against West Brom because we are playing at home and after that we have got two away games.[LNB]"Home games are the diamonds of your season and you have to look after them."
