Wigan boss Roberto Martinez remains 'very confident' his side can beat relegation.
The Latics slipped back into the bottom three of the Barclays Premier League after a 4-2 defeat at Sunderland, bringing to an end a promising four-game run in which a slender 1-0 loss to title-chasing Chelsea had been the only defeat.
Wigan now have just four games to save themselves and Martinez said: "I am very confident because I have seen the team perform at a very good level in the last two months."
He added: "I see the competition and the work on a daily basis, I see the characters and we all want to win. We have been in this situation before and know exactly what we have got to do. It would be a fantastic achievement if we can carry on with the football dream that is Wigan Athletic being in the Premier League."
Martinez is puzzled by his side's capitulation at the Stadium of Light, which occurred after Mohamed Diame had given them a lead early in the second half.
But the Spaniard will not dwell on it as Wigan return to the DW Stadium after three successive away games for the visit of Everton on Saturday.
Martinez said: "In a bizarre 15-minute period - and it is very difficult to explain it - we conceded three goals, or four with a penalty.
"Two big calls didn't go our way and everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong. But that is the nature of this stage of the season, the emotional part of the game plays a big part and can have a big influence on the game.
"We need to move on from that. We will take a few aspects we can use in the next four games and now it is time to prepare for Everton.
"When you play at home you feel the support from the fans and the understanding of the position we are in really helps you to perform in a good way. We are very excited for Saturday."
Source: PA
