Source: Team_Talk
Martinez looks to young Latics
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes the younger players in his squad hold the key to taking the club to the next level.[LNB] The Spaniard has spoken of it being "their moment" as the likes of James McCarthy and Victor Moses, both 19, are likely to see plenty more pitch time in the forthcoming campaign.[LNB]Martinez starts his second season with the Latics having brought in a number of his own players over the last 12 months, with the promise of more to come.[LNB]Despite the departures of experienced duo Mario Melchiot, the club captain, and Paul Scharner the Spaniard is confident the changes he has made to the personnel will bear fruit.[LNB]Frenchman Mohamed Diame, 23, was brought in from Rayo Vallecano last August as a virtual unknown but by the end of the season had established himself as a pivotal player in central midfield. McCarthy was held back for the first half of the campaign to allow him to find his feet at the DW Stadium but impressed in the latter months, while Moses was bought from Crystal Palace in January with a view to him having more of a role this term.[LNB]Martinez said: "This is their age and their moment in their careers. They haven't reached their full potential and showed what special talent they possess. They are starting very promising individual careers and that is very exciting. We need to make sure we help them to enjoy their football, help them to enjoy being at Wigan and develop as players so every year they are going to be stronger."[LNB]Martinez faced a difficult task in his first season as he tried to turn Wigan from a side ingrained in the pragmatic approach instilled by former boss Steve Bruce to one which could play more incisive football.[LNB]The changes produced mixed results as on occasions it was successful - highlighted by victories over Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal - but on others it was disappointing, with 9-1 and 8-0 defeats to Tottenham and Chelsea.[LNB]Those losses were largely a consequence of a lack of resilience but Martinez has sought to address that by looking to bring in players with character.[LNB]He began that process by recruiting Celtic captain Gary Caldwell in January and has continued it this summer by signing Paraguay centre-back Antolin Alcaraz and Estudiantes striker Mauro Boselli and giving the on-loan Steve Gohouri a permanent deal.[LNB]The departure of Melchiot means the captain's armband is up for grabs and Martinez expects the successful candidate to emerge from the pack rather than him having to select someone.[LNB]"It has to be a figure respected by the group and a leader. It will be a natural selection," added the Latics boss.[LNB]"I am delighted with the group we have maintained from the last campaign - we just have to make sure every day we work hard and become stronger.[LNB]"Every player coming in will come in with a huge role.[LNB]"We have bought two outstanding characters in and Steve had a little spell with us so we had an opportunity to find out about his character.[LNB]"Boselli will put a smile on people's faces because he's a goalscorer with 50 goals in the last two seasons with a very good team in Argentina and that is a big asset for us.[LNB]"And Alcaraz has been the best centre-half in the World Cup so to sign a player of that calibre is very exciting.[LNB]"But the competition for places within the squad is important and we have to improve in that department.[LNB]"Every transfer window we need to improve the squad to make it a more competitive environment to get a stronger side on the pitch.[LNB]"I was very happy with the level of performance we had in our last 12 games and that is something we need to start the new season with.[LNB]"If we can do that there will be a natural progression and improvement."
