Source: SKY_Sports
Latics try 'group therapy'
Roberto Martinez has revealed that his players have responded admirably to their drubbing at Arsenal.
The Latics slipped to a 4-0 defeat at Emirates Stadium last Saturday, putting in an insipid showing in the capital.
The manner of the performance has caused concern to Martinez, who has seen his side lose four of their opening six fixtures in the Premier League.
Training this week has therefore taken on a more reflective theme, with the Latics boss hoping to establish the cause behind recent lacklustre displays.
"There has been a mature, responsible response because they were really affected by it," said Martinez, who must now lift his squad for Saturday's visit from league leaders Chelsea.
"The reaction has been as professional and caring as you could imagine.
"As a group of players our daily work gives you that belief and mental strength - group therapy is the way we work with performances, with feeling good.
"Individually it is different. Many players need a different sort of 'therapy' to feel at their best and I'm always open to that - we always look for whatever is needed for individual players to be on top of their games.
"But as a group the daily work is what should give you that confidence and we've had a lot of therapy this week."
Martinez is also of the opinion that harsh lessons, such as that dished out at the hands of the Gunners, can prove beneficial in the long run.
"We didn't do well and we will learn from it. Sometimes you need to go through painful experiences to grow quickly," added the Spaniard.
"If you are going to lose a game you have to lose it by being brave and being yourself and when you don't do that you feel really disappointed.
"Not just myself, the players were feeling the same way. We created certain problems early in the game and we couldn't maintain our standards.
"Up to Arsenal I had been very pleased. It is going to be up to ourselves to reach certain targets and bounce back from that disappointment.
"To do that it doesn't matter who you are playing against but it couldn't be a better game to test ourselves than against Chelsea."
