Source: Team_Talk
Watson hoping for a fair chance
Wigan midfielder Ben Watson is hoping to be given a fair crack of the whip by boss Roberto Martinez after a season of frustration.[LNB] It was Watson's 80th-minute strike that sparked Wigan's remarkable comeback in yesterday's 3-2 victory over Arsenal at the DW Stadium.[LNB]Trailing 2-0 with 10 minutes remaining, Watson sidefooted home what many thought would merely be a consolation.[LNB]But Titus Bramble and Charles N'Zogbia fired Wigan to their first Premier League win over the Gunners after eight defeats and a draw, leaving the Latics seven points clear of the relegation zone.[LNB]The match was Watson's first league start for almost a year as he has found himself surplus to requirements under the Spaniard since his arrival last summer.[LNB]The 24-year-old has this season spent four months on loan at QPR and another month at West Brom, last week intimating a permanent move to the promoted Baggies was not out of the question during the closed season.[LNB]Watson now feels he has given Martinez food for thought in the wake of a superb display against the Gunners.[LNB]"It's been a frustrating season for myself, but it was nice to be back, playing and getting on the scoresheet," said Watson.[LNB]"I've not played as much as I wanted to play in the team this year, which is the gaffer's choice at the end of the day. He makes the decisions.[LNB]"I've been out on loan a couple of times, worked hard, got my chance and I feel like I did reasonably well in this game.[LNB]"Whether I've done enough to convince the manager I should be a regular, I don't know. I've played one game. I don't want to get ahead of myself.[LNB]"I'll go into training the next few days, do what I've been doing all season and we'll see what happens at the weekend."[LNB]Watson certainly played his part in a heroic Wigan display that belied their status as a club fighting to beat the drop.[LNB]Watson, a £2million buy from Crystal Palace in January last year, added: "We said at half-time if we could step it up we could win the game.[LNB]"But then we went 2-0 down early in the second half and we were thinking 'Bloody hell, we've now a mountain to climb', especially against a team like Arsenal.[LNB]"People were probably thinking the game was over and done with, but we showed great character and fighting spirit.[LNB]"We stuck in there, got that first goal back and then there was only one team in it after that. We got what we deserved."[LNB]The astonishing result leaves Wigan one win shy of near-certain safety, with vital matches at relegation rivals West Ham and home to Hull looming over the next two weekends.[LNB]"It was a massive result," said Watson.[LNB]"The winning goal from Charles was a fantastic strike, a great goal to win a game, any game, and a great moment for the team and for everybody in the town.[LNB]"We're at West Ham this weekend, which is another massive game for us, and if we can get a result there then we'll be safe.[LNB]"This club needs to stay in the Premier League. We're almost there.[LNB]"If we stay up we then need to finish as high as we can and build on it next season."[LNB]
