Wigan manager Roberto Martinez insists there is no rift with striker Hugo Rodallega.
Latics boss cools talk of unrest with Colombian ace
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez insists there is no rift with striker Hugo Rodallega despite the striker's angry reaction to his recent withdrawal at Chelsea.
The Colombian frontman, 25, was frustrated following his substitution in the 63rd minute of the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
But Latics boss Martinez claims the incident shows his players have the passion required for the final six games of the season, as the rock-bottom outfit prepare for a relegation dogfight.
The Spaniard said: "It is the natural reaction. He wants to be on the pitch and help the team, and that is something that shows real passion and real responsibility.
"Obviously we have a very strong squad now and he did his job.
"He has got the same responsibility to help another team-mate come on and carry on playing well for the team.
"There is nothing unhealthy, nothing strange. It is not a problem at all.
"It is just a real desire to help the team and that is something I wouldn't like all the players to lose, that passion and wanting to play every minute."
Committed
He added: "Everyone is committed and desperate to play a part.
"We are bottom of the table but everyone is fully fit. You don't see that many times.
"There is that air of responsibility in the dressing room.
"Everyone wants to be on the pitch, they are frustrated and disappointed when they are not.
"We have got huge respect for each other in the dressing room and it is important we help each other perform at the maximum."
Wigan travel to relegation rivals Blackpool this weekend and Martinez is hoping his side can reach 41 points in order to survive.
"The target is 10 points," he remarked. "I don't want to hide from it.
"It is going to be a really demanding end of the season for many clubs and I don't think anything less than 41 points will be good for us.
"I think with the level we have shown over the last eight games we are capable of achieving that.
"But obviously now is the time to start collecting wins. The performances have been very good but it is time to win games."
