Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is confident he has enough players with
the right mental attitude to see them have a successful finish to the
season.
The Latics, unbeaten in four league matches, face near-neighbours
Bolton in an FA Cup fourth round replay at the DW Stadium.
While progression in the cup would help maintain their momentum there
is no doubt Barclays Premier League survival is paramount, with the
club 18th in the table with 11 matches to go.
Martinez admits the knockout competition gives his squad a break
from the rigours of a relegation battle - he will rest a number of his
first-choice players tomorrow - but acknowledges the same attitude is
required regardless.
"It is a welcome distraction because this season we have used the
cup competitions to add players to our squad," said the Spaniard.
"The more experience they have the stronger they get mentally and
it makes you capable. The group is in a very good moment mentally and
it is very important that we understand we want to win every game we
play in.
"The game will be decided on small margins but we just have to keep
doing what we have been doing. We are going to carry on progressing and
that is always a good mentality to have.
"The team is showing great maturity, the way we played at Anfield
(in Saturday's 1-1 draw) showed that, and that means it should give you
a lot of [league] points."
Wigan and Bolton have drawn three times already this season and
another such outcome after 90 minutes and extra time would produce a
penalty shoot out, which will be an additional test of players' mental
strengths.
However, Martinez is confident his squad will be up to the task should it arise.
"Mentality is more important. Technically I have seen the best
players find the occasion is too big for them and they cannot perform,"
he added.
"Other players who not as gifted but have that winning mentality,
that ruthless streak that they don't get affected by the moment, are
the best penalty takers.
"The mental side overcomes that technical skill in a player. In
every squad you always have a list of players who are ready mentally to
take penalties and we have plenty of options."
Bolton boss Owen Coyle believes David Wheater will be a more than
able replacement for Zat Knight after confirming the defender did
suffer knee ligament damage in Sunday's win over Everton.
The 30-year-old sustained the damage to his right leg in a
last-ditch tackle on Victor Anichebe in the first half of the 2-0
victory and Coyle confirmed he expects Knight to be missing for between
four and six weeks.
The Trotters manager said: "It's not as severe as we first thought
but certainly bad enough to keep him out for a period of time. There's
severe swelling in the area so I think we'll know better in seven to 10
days when that goes down.
"It's a terrible loss, first and foremost for Zat, because he's
played every game for me since I came to the football club over a year
ago."
The major consolation for Coyle is he has a ready-made replacement
in Wheater, who joined the club last month from Middlesbrough and came
on for Knight against Everton.
"When somebody receives an injury, it opens the door for someone else," said Coyle.
"David's stepped into the breach and he's showed the quality we believe he has. That's why we brought him to the football club."
Wheater has just turned 24 and, like his new centre-back partner
Gary Cahill, is considered one of England's most promising defenders.
Coyle added: "They have tremendous mobility, they have real desire,
they're very young and they'll continue to get better.
"We were excited with the signing of David Wheater but he knew,
given the partnership that Gary Cahill and Zat Knight had, that he was
going to have to be patient and bide his time until he got his
opportunity.
"We have real belief in him and it will be up to David, now that he's got that jersey, to do everything he can to hold onto it."
Source: DSG