Martinez - We will bounce back

Latics boss unhappy after 'freak' result

By James Riach   Last updated: 22nd November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Wigan manager Roberto Martinez insists his team will bounce back after their 9-1 drubbing at the hands of Tottenham.

The Latics were on the end of an absolute mauling at White Hart Lane, and Paul Scharner's goal was their only positive on a day to forget - although his strike should have been ruled out for handball.

Wigan's defence was ripped to shreds as Jermain Defoe bagged five goals, and Martinez says they must react after the disappointing result.

"It was an extremely bad performance from our point of view," he told Sky Sports.

"The way we gave the first three goals especially. The way we started the game in the first 10 minutes and the way we started the second half - that's not up to our standard at all.

"We really got punished. We showed moments of naivety in key moments which Spurs took advantage of and they scored the goals.

"The performance up to the fourth goal is something that cannot happen again. After that it's just a matter of trying to not allow the damage in that performance carry on to next week with losing players through injury or suspension.

"The scoreline is a very disappointing moment but certain things weren't good enough and we really got punished.

"In the first half I thought that Spurs started much brighter. We gave them a lot of time and the first 10 minutes they created a few chances, but the goal is a very, very simple goal.

"We can't even stop a cross and from then on we finished the half very, very strong and we looked the team who was starting to dictate things.

"But in the second half again, the goals we conceded, we only have ourselves to blame. And after that you're just climbing a mountain."

As bad as Wigan were, credit must be given to Spurs who posed a constant threat with wide-men Aaron Lennon and Niko Kranjcar on top form for the home side.

Freak

Martinez said the nine-goal demolition was a 'freak' result, but demanded a response from his team.

"It's one of those freak results that happens and we need to make sure that we move on from this and it's a day to congratulate Spurs," he added.

"In any scoreline like that you have to give credit to the team that won the game. They looked very sharp but we made it very, very easy.

"You've got a dressing room full of winners and strong characters and that is something that is hard to take, especially when we've been very, very naïve in the first four goals.

"Overall, the mentality is not going to be a problem, we are going to react.

"Obviously we need to make many assessments and judge many things that we have done really badly today."

The Latics were only 1-0 down at half time but a remarkable second period saw them ship eight goals.

Martinez says he takes full responsibility for the woeful performance, but expects more from his players in the future.

"The first three or four goals - they were simple decisions in one-on-one situations, simple defending and we've got higher standards than that," he commented.

"We really got punished and we'll learn from it, we'll make sure that that makes us a stronger team.

"It's a real, real test mentally - you don't get situations like this too many times in football and we'll make sure that we get stronger out of it and we take responsibility and move on into the next game.

"I take responsibility of all the results and we need to make sure that we come out a better team."

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