Martinez confident 'stronger' squad can do the business on Sunday

Speaking ahead of Sunday's clash with Tottenham at the DW Stadium Roberto Martinez explained that the previous encounter between the two sides made Wigan Athletic a stronger club, and is now ready to prepare his team to use home advantage and win all three points.

"The last game against Tottenham resulted in a difficult time for the club after what was a freak result," said Martinez.

"But the humiliation of any experience like that is not being able to react, and I'm extremely proud in the way we responded by beating Sunderland the following week.

"Together we showed the best side of Wigan Athletic and the whole episode made us a stronger football club and a stronger squad. So in a way the event helped us to mature and separate the men from the boys.

"The quality Spurs have in their ranks is very clear. They have world-class players so you can't single out any one player to be aware of.

"Their squad is good enough to go anywhere and be competitive so we know it'll be a tough game, but at home with the support of our fans we need to take the initiative, be brave and fight for the three points."

The only injury concern the gaffer has is to Titus Bramble, who came off mid-way through the Bolton game on Wednesday, and although the centre-half is unlikely to play, he shouldn't be out for a lengthy period.

"We'll asses Titus but I think it will be really difficult for him to play a part on Sunday. He's not an injury-prone player so when he comes off the pitch it has to be for something serious."

Without a win since early January Martinez says that Latics' performances have deserved more and that the work they've done to eradicate errors at the back seems to have worked:

"I've always thought that draws are only good or bad depending on the next result. I'm not looking at just the return we get from each game, I'm concentrating on the performance we give and how we're looking as a team.

"We've been very unfortunate over the last three league games to just come away with a point, but it's the sign of a good side when you begin to put solid, consistent performances together and that will allow you to get the points.

"We've looked at set-pieces and worked on improving that part of our game.

"I think we now look a threat from them picking up the ball and playing on the counter-attack, something we've been pleased with. The players' concentration and intensity from those situations is very good and that's important.

"Set-pieces are a big part of the game and you have to be well prepared to cope with them. From open play we won't have any problems because we know how to break teams down and get into the right positions."

The gaffer also gave his views on the awkward condition of the pitch at the DW Stadium and the quality of the squad he's amassed over the season:

"There has been a lot of talk about the condition of the pitch, but in football you need to adapt to the conditions around you, and of course it's the same for both sides. We need to find the solutions and start winning whichever surface we're playing on.

"I'm very happy with the squad we have and we've all worked hard to get into this position. I feel there is a togetherness within the team and a desire to win football games working hard for each other.

"So really pleased with the group of players we have going into the final third of the campaign, obviously there will be players who are frustrated not to be playing and if there are any options available to us that will help them then we'll look into it."