Source: Team_Talk
We must put emotions aside - Martinez
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has admitted the anxiety of the club's relegation battle is affecting the team's performance.[LNB] The Latics are fortunate in that they have a five-point cushion over third-bottom Burnley with four matches to go, with two of those against fellow strugglers Hull and West Ham.[LNB]They had a chance to go a long way to guaranteeing a sixth successive top-flight season against already-relegated Portsmouth last night but failed to convert a number of chances in a goalless draw against the understrength visitors.[LNB]Nerves were evident among the 14,166 fans - Wigan's lowest league crowd of the season - and the boos which rang out at the final whistle told their own story.[LNB]Martinez accepted his players had missed a golden opportunity to put more daylight between them and the relegation zone.[LNB]"It has been such a hard season it was one of those fixtures which you look at and you feel it is three points but football does not work like that," said the Spaniard.[LNB]"It is about not letting all the feelings affect your performance.[LNB]"We need to learn we shouldn't get affected by the emotions and frustrations and should be able to win with the quality with have on the pitch.[LNB]"We shouldn't allow our frustrations to affect our performance and make sure we get the result we deserve.[LNB]"The confidence is there, but during the game when nothing goes your way it affects your performance.[LNB]"There are no easy games between now and the end of the season but what is important is we keep our cool and composure."[LNB]Midfielder Paul Scharner's frustration was evident when he marched straight down the tunnel after his second-half substitution was cheered by fans.[LNB]The Austrian was also seen having a heated exchange with team-mates as they walked off at half-time but Martinez said he did not have a problem with the player's behaviour.[LNB]"The moment I see a player coming off being happy is the moment we have got the wrong player," he added.[LNB]"That is normal. He was disappointed with himself and the team and that is part of the anxiety of trying to win a game at home.[LNB]"Paul Scharner is a professional, a winner, and as we all were he was feeling those frustrations. There are no issues."[LNB]Of Wigan's other two matches, one is at home to Arsenal on Sunday before they head to Chelsea on the last day of the season.[LNB]Martinez said he had no idea what return from their remaining matches would guarantee safety.[LNB]"The way I see it there are six teams for two relegation positions," he said.[LNB]"We've got 12 points to compete for and we will fight for everything.[LNB]"The point tally to stay in the Premier League is going to be lower than in other seasons but we haven't really found our number because there are too many combinations.[LNB]"Every game is going to be difficult but we are ready for it."
