Martinez hails N'Zogbia retention

02 February 2011 08:30

Roberto Martinez believes Wigan have "shown a bit of a statement" by keeping hold of key player Charles N'Zogbia for the remainder of the season.

N'Zogbia is believed to have the been focus of a last ditch attempt by Newcastle to sign their former player before the transfer window shut on Monday night. But N'Zogbia has remained with the Latics and played a starring role in the 2-2 draw with West Brom at The Hawthorns on Tuesday night.

"Our intention this window was to finish with a stronger squad. We had two major objectives, getting all the players back from injury, and we didn't want to lose any of the prize assets. We managed to do that," Martinez said.

"In the past, the fans have been a bit disappointed at losing players at the wrong time. Everyone is proud that Wigan showed a bit of a statement by keeping the players for the important challenges we have at the moment."

Martinez had mixed emotions about Wigan earning a share of the spoils with Marc-Antoine Fortune's late goal rescuing a point for Albion.

He said: "My emotions are a bit of mixture. You are finishing the game and are disappointed that we dropped two points.

"That is a disappointment we all share in the dressing room.

"I think we showed fantastic character with good footballing talent that allowed us to get back in the game and to go ahead.

"I thought the key moment was we had a period of five minutes in the second half when we had two good opportunities.

"If you score the third goal, the game is over. But West Brom have got a real winning feeling after achieving what they did last season and what they achieved this campaign already."

Source: PA