Source: Team_Talk
Martinez: Seaside trip was painful
Roberto Martinez comes up against Blackpool for the first time tomorrow since they opened his eyes to the task he faced restructuring Wigan.[LNB] Martinez sent a largely reserve team to Bloomfield Road in August last year for a Carling Cup second-round tie and saw them humiliated 4-1 by the then Championship club.[LNB]The Spaniard was less than a month into his debut season as a top-flight manager after taking over from Steve Bruce but that result showed him what changes he needed to make to his squad to make them more competitive.[LNB]Fast-forward almost 12 months and Ian Holloway brings the Seasiders to the DW Stadium as a genuine Premier League team.[LNB]Despite them being relegation favourites Martinez does not intend to take the visitors lightly, having slipped up once already.[LNB]"We achieved our aims last season because of the certain moments we had to suffer and in the Carling Cup certain players showed they couldn't carry on playing for Wigan," said the Latics boss.[LNB]"Those lessons are painful but they give you a lot and it is how you react to that and produce performances like we did further down the line.[LNB]"You don't like to get 'favours' in that manner because they are very painful but I was pleased with the lessons we learned that night and how that pushed us to be the team we were at the end of the season.[LNB]"It is a clear message of what Blackpool are capable of doing, they are very attacking and very brave.[LNB]"I don't expect them to change at all in the way they have been playing so it should be an open encounter."[LNB]As Wigan prepare for their sixth successive season in the top flight they will start as favourites against Blackpool.[LNB]Martinez knows they will have to step up a level in this campaign if they are to avoid the relegation worries they faced for a long time last season.[LNB]"It is important we perform well because it is the worst time to play Blackpool," he said.[LNB]"We played Wolves (who were returning to the Premier League) in our first home game last season and we lost.[LNB]"It is because you are playing against teams who have been hoping and dreaming to get to this level and the excitement is natural.[LNB]"Blackpool are not going to surprise us because they play in a very specific way which has allowed them to be successful.[LNB]"I know Ian is not going to change the way he plays and that is something you have to admire.[LNB]"They are very attack-minded and I think they will surprise many people this season.[LNB]"It will be a very difficult test and I want us to be ready.[LNB]"We are playing at home and we have to take responsibility.[LNB]"I like the team to be brave, command the game and be on the ball and in that respect we are not going to change whoever the opposition is."[LNB]Defender Gary Caldwell is the only absentee tomorrow as he is still six weeks away from a return after undergoing two hip operations in the summer.[LNB]
