Martinez denies Scharner rift

08 October 2009 07:04
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez insists there are no issues between him and midfielder Paul Scharner despite rumours of a fall-out at the weekend.[LNB] The Austria international publicly showed his disapproval at being substituted in the 2-1 defeat at Hull on Saturday, moments after the Tigers' opening goal for which he was partially culpable.[LNB] "Paul is a winner and a great professional, and I have no problems with what happened," said the Latics boss. [LNB] "It was nothing out of the norm for me. There is nothing to forget because it was never an issue. [LNB] "He was obviously very disappointed because it was his man who scored from the corner. He wanted to put it right, and that is a natural reaction."[LNB] Scharner has also complained in the past at having to play at centre-back, where he spent much of last season, although Martinez has mostly employed him in midfield so far.[LNB] The Wigan manager welcomes the versatility the 29-year-old brings to his team. [LNB] "I think Paul is at that stage of his career that he understands the different positions really well and it's not a big problem for him at all," he told the Wigan Evening Post.[LNB] "He is a good aerial threat, especially at set-pieces, which is useful, and he gives us many options in front of goal. [LNB] "But he is responsible enough to play in any position that the team needs him to play in, and that is the most important thing."

Source: Eurosport