Wigan boss Roberto Martinez saluted his players for losing their fear factor and securing a priceless 2-1 victory away to Sunderland.
Wigan boss hails super-subs Di Santo and McArthur
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez saluted his players for losing their fear factor and ending a run of one point from nine games with a priceless 2-1 victory away to Sunderland.
The Latics scrambled off the foot of the Premier League table courtesy of substitute Franco Di Santo's injury-time winner, when he profited from a blunder between Keiren Westwood and Wes Brown.
The Black Cats had taken an early lead through Sebastian Larsson and Wigan were on the back foot for long periods of the first half, only to draw level just before the interval thanks to Jordi Gomez's penalty.
Latics goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi was at fault for the opener as he spilled Nicklas Bendtner's routine shot, but then kept his side in the contest with a number of key saves, particularly before the interval.
And while Di Santo will be credited with the precious winner, it was fellow substitute James McArthur who put the chance on a plate for him by robbing Brown and giving the striker a chance he could not miss.
Martinez paid tribute to the attitude of the two men he introduced from the bench and was happy to bask in the glory of a rare success, coming just a week after their controversial late draw at home to 10-man Blackburn.
Confidence and belief
The Spaniard said: "I think that was a great example of why we are so hooked on football. It is such a contrast of emotions. Seven days ago we were on the floor, as bad as you can feel, and today we are really, really delighted.
"Ali Al-Habsi is a bit disappointed with the first goal, but he kept us in the game after that. We finished the first half really strong and in the second half we kept a clean sheet with desire. And that desire, pressing so high up, helped us get the reward at the end.
"I know that we are good enough to get more points than last season. The truth is that in football you need momentum, you need to play with confidence and belief. If you keep playing well and losing games it is difficult to create that momentum.
"I just feel that in the last two weeks the team has played without that fear they have shown before. This group of players has matured so much in the last few weeks, we have characters who everyone should be very proud of.
"There were a few players disappointed that they weren't in the starting line-up, and two of the subs came on and they produced the goal. They showed great concentration and desire to help the team - that's why we won today.
"I felt that Franco Di Santo and James McArthur when they came on, they showed the clear message that I want Wigan playing with respect and enthusiasm and I am extremely proud of them."
