Martinez calls for Latics to be strong

23 October 2009 12:16
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is demanding his players impose themselves on Burnley if they are to overcome the intimidation factor at Turf Moor. The Clarets' form this season in the Barclays Premier League could not be more polarised - four successive wins at home, five straight defeats away. Another victory in front of their appears to be on the cards when a Wigan side that has lost their last four games on the road make the short journey across Lancashire. Yet Martinez can boast what Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Steve Bruce and Alex McLeish have all failed to achieve - and that is a win at Turf Moor this year. That was back in January when Martinez, then with Swansea, guided his side to a 2-0 victory, since when Burnley have lost just one of their last 17 games on home soil. "The reality is Turf Moor has become one of the hardest places to play in the Premier League," said Martinez. "You go to Turf Moor and it's tough. Look at the results they've had and that's a clear example of how hard it is to play against them. There is an electric, intimidating atmosphere, and their fans do intimidate. We're ready but we have to be ourselves and impose ourselves in that environment because we all know the Burnley fans make it very special for their players."

Source: Eurosport