Source: Team_Talk
McCarthy throws weight behind Martinez
Wigan midfielder James McCarthy insists manager Roberto Martinez has the full support of the Latics squad.[LNB] Martinez is under pressure after a wretched start to the season that has seen his side concede 10 goals in their opening two Premier League games at the DW Stadium.[LNB]After losing 4-0 to Blackpool last Saturday and a club home record 6-0 to Chelsea in their second game of the season, Martinez now faces a critical week in charge.[LNB]A Carling Cup clash at npower League One side Hartlepool on Tuesday is arguably not what Martinez would wish for given the banana skin it represents.[LNB]But then if he had to choose his next league opponents, a game with Spurs at White Hart Lane where they were hammered 9-1 last season would likely not be high on his agenda either.[LNB]They, though, are the tasks facing Wigan and Martinez as he seeks a light at the end of what is a long, dark tunnel that began with an 8-0 hiding at Chelsea on the final day of last season.[LNB]McCarthy, however, is backing Martinez to revive Wigan as he said: "We have to take the positives.[LNB]"At times we matched Chelsea all over the pitch, especially in the first half when I feel we dominated the game.[LNB]"But they got that crucial first goal in that half and showed their class as true champions.[LNB]"Although we've conceded 10 goals, we are not going to look at it that way.[LNB]"We've suffered two defeats and hopefully we can now lift ourselves and kick on on Tuesday. We'll go there and try and give it our all.[LNB]"Of course, the manager isn't happy and rightly so. Conceding five goals in the second half is not acceptable and we need to address that.[LNB]"We just need to work on the training ground. I'm sure it's as simple as that."[LNB]Asked for his thoughts on Martinez's future, the 19-year-old added: "I don't want to get involved in that, but everybody is backing the manager. He is a great manager."[LNB]For the opening half Wigan displayed all the right characteristics after the previous week's humiliation to Blackpool as they worked hard, were creative and put Chelsea under pressure.[LNB]Although they conceded the opener to Florent Malouda just after the half-hour, it was the brace scored by Nicolas Anelka in the first seven minutes of the second half that knocked the wind out of their sails.[LNB]A double for Salomon Kalou late on and a first for his new club in injury time from Yossi Benayoun merely rubbed salt into Wigan's wounds.[LNB]As far as Martinez's Latics career is concerned, much now depends on the patience of owner Dave Whelan.[LNB]As for his own take on his job security, Martinez said: "I can't waste any energy or time worrying about that.[LNB]"I need to worry about how to get the team to perform for 90 minutes because it's a young side that is capable of the best, and we have to build on that, and that is my focus and concentration.[LNB]"I've huge belief in this group of players. I know we're going to get the results from the potential we showed in the first half.[LNB]"We're working towards the aim of staying in the Premier League and that's the focus."[LNB]The problem for Martinez is that he has not found a way to prevent his side from leaking goals.[LNB]Wigan had the worst goal difference in the league last season, far from surprising when you consider that aside from the humblings at Chelsea and Spurs they also lost 5-0 home and away to Manchester United and 4-0 at Arsenal, Portsmouth and Bolton.[LNB]The fact it is still an issue will be a concern for Whelan.[LNB]"The scoreline was really hurtful, but it doesn't reflect exactly what happened out there," added Martinez.[LNB]"We have to get rid of this way we concede goals because it's something we have been doing for a long time.[LNB]"We looked naive. It was the same last season, so it's nothing new unfortunately.[LNB]"But we always reacted in the right manner, and that's what we will carry on doing.[LNB]"We need to move on, to try to win on Tuesday and on Saturday."
