Source: Team_Talk
RM: Chris cross with Blackpool blunders
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will not make Chris Kirkland a scapegoat for his side's dreadful start to the Premier League season.[LNB] Kirkland endured a personal nightmare as Wigan were thrashed 4-0 by promoted Blackpool at the DW Stadium last weekend.[LNB]Martinez has given the former Liverpool keeper no public assurances that he will start Saturday's daunting clash against Chelsea, but he will not single the 29-year-old out for blame.[LNB]The Latics boss said: "We win as a team and we lose as a team. Chris is a very experienced man now and he is very responsible.[LNB]"Sometimes being a goalkeeper you are a lonely figure on the pitch but he shouldn't take any extra responsibility.[LNB]"He has won many games and I am sure the players would agree with me that we are all together winning and all together losing.[LNB]"It has been a difficult week as a group and individually but that togetherness is a good sign."[LNB]Martinez has another good goalkeeping option in Ali Al Habsi, who has joined the club on a season-long loan from Bolton.[LNB]The Oman international watched from the bench as Blackpool ran the Wigan defence ragged six days ago.[LNB]"I want to have a strong squad," said Martinez, who has not ruled out further signings in the summer transfer window. "Everyone should be ready and on their toes.[LNB]"It is a very competitive group and that is the way we have to face it.[LNB]"To blame individuals for results is two worlds apart. It is not about individuals, it is about the group. It is about the football club and about how we react.[LNB]"Everyone has been training really well and everyone should be expecting to play on Saturday."[LNB]With the players still hurting from last week's embarrassment, a visit from the champions is probably the last thing Wigan need.[LNB]The last time the sides met Chelsea ran out 8-0 winners to celebrate their title success in style in the final game of last season.[LNB]Yet Wigan could take encouragement from their stunning 3-1 defeat of the Blues at the DW Stadium last September.[LNB]Martinez said: "We have a very responsible group and they know what it means to play for Wigan Athletic.[LNB]"Our biggest problem was that, in the first game of the season when you want to play well and impress the crowd, we forgot about certain basics.[LNB]"The players, staff and fans were hurt. Our success throughout history has been that we are a family club and we are all together.[LNB]"We will support each other to get through difficult periods.[LNB]"We know that we now need to focus on playing a very talented group of players in Chelsea. They have huge experience and a big winning mentality.[LNB]"It is going to be a real big test for us but it is at home and we want to take responsibility.[LNB]"We want to get the fans behind us and make sure we are as good as we can."[LNB]Martinez will consider recalling Charles N'Zogbia despite continuing speculation linking the winger with other clubs.[LNB]The newly-capped France international was left out last week after Martinez questioned his attitude but the manager has dismissed reports of a rift between the pair.[LNB]N'Zogbia could come in for 19-year-old Victor Moses, who has been ruled out with a calf injury.[LNB]Martinez said: "We thought Victor was going to be out for two to three weeks but he has reacted well to treatment.[LNB]"He is only a young man and is very fit.[LNB]"Saturday is maybe too quick for him but it is not as bad as we thought and he is not far away."