Boyce - We're getting there

Centre-back claims Spaniard is having a positive influence

By Lizzie Rose   Last updated: 27th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Boyce - We're getting there

Boyce: Latics are learning

It was always going to take time when you have a new manager and new players, but we feel we're getting there and we fully understand what he wants from us.

Emmerson Boyce
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Wigan defender Emmerson Boyce believes the Latics are starting to flourish under manager Roberto Martinez.

The former Swansea boss took over the reins at the DW Stadium in June and the Premier League side have so far lacked consistency under his leadership.

The Latics picked up their second win on the road on Saturday, unexpectedly ending Burnley's unbeaten home run with a 3-1 victory at Turf Moor.

Boyce admits it has taken a while to adapt to the new manager but believes the hard-work ethic that already existed within the squad and the finesse injected by the Spaniard could be a winning combination.

"It was always going to take time when you have a new manager and new players, but we feel we're getting there and we fully understand what he wants from us," Boyce told the Wigan Evening Post.

"In the last couple of seasons, we've been known as more of a physical and hard-working team, but the manager has brought in some flair players and we're passing the ball around really well.

"We're also playing a new system, which was always going to take time to get used to.

Great character

"We've proved we can play well at home and now we have to prove that we can away from the DW Stadium as well."

The last two fixtures for Wigan have seen a victory over Burnley at Turf Moor and a home draw with big-spenders Manchester City, and the defender admits it was their defeat to Hull earlier in the month that jolted them into action.

"We passed the ball around with confidence, but we had to mix it up as well because Burnley is a tough place to go and get a result," said Boyce.

"We learned from the mistakes we made in the Hull game, when we had all the ball but we lost the game.

"Burnley were set up more or less the same way as Hull and, although it was disappointing to go behind so early, we showed great character to come back.

"You can play all the football you want to, but if you're not prepared to fight then it's going to be a difficult game."