Martinez laments inconsistency

Roberto Martinez admitted he is baffled as to why Wigan have not been able to secure successive victories this season after Saturday's 4-0 battering by Bolton but the Spaniard felt his side were denied a penalty.

The Latics secured an historic victory against Liverpool on Monday, but left the Reebok Stadium licking their wounds after goals from Johan Elmander, Kevin Davies, Fabrice Muamba and Matty Taylor inflicted a 10th away defeat of the season on Martinez's charges.

The Lancashire derby loss leaves the Greater Manchester club rooted in 15th place, just four points above the drop zone but Martinez feels the result could have been all so different had referee Mike Dean awarded the visitors a first-half penalty.

The game was only minutes old when Hugo Rodallega was clumsily challenged by Bolton's Zat Knight in the penalty area and the Latics boss feels it was a stone-wall spot-kick.

Big decision

"It is a big decision, it's a clear penalty - there is no contact with the ball - and that would have made things completely different," Martinez told Sky Sports after the match.

"After we couldn't find the energy and mentally we looked drained after the performance against Liverpool on Monday."

Martinez, whose side have now won just one of their last 10 away fixtures, confessed his struggle to understand the reason that Wigan have been so inconsistent this term.

"We wanted to build on the performance and the result of Monday but it's something we haven't been able to do all season," the former Swansea tactician added.

"Every time we have been in form we haven't been able to show that consistency the following week and that's a disappointment.

"After the first goal the game went away from us quickly and it was a mountain to climb and we couldn't show the energy (to get back in the game).

"It's a defeat, we'll take it but we need to make sure we react and look forward to Tuesday."

Key and vital

A pivotal week for the Latics lies in store with a home clash against UEFA Champions League-chasing Aston Villa midweek before a trip to Turf Moor to take on relegation rivals Burnley next weekend.

Martinez believes they alone will not decide Wigan's season but has ordered his players to wise up from Saturday's pummelling fast or risk being sucked into the bottom three.

"Every game from now until the end of the season is going to be key and vital," warned the league's youngest manager.

"Obviously we want to get that consistency and its something we felt we needed to get all season and we will make sure we learn our lesson today - it's a painful lesson, but we need to make sure we react quickly."

Barclays Premier League - Relegation - Wigan 6/1