Gaffer calls on fans' passion for remaining DW games, starting Saturday

Roberto Martinez has explained that whilst he is fully aware of the threat Burnley will bring on Saturday it is vital they concentrate on their own performance in order to dictate which way the game goes.

With this the first of our four remaining home games this season the gaffer urged fans to re-create the kind of atmosphere that inspired the players against Liverpool and Aston Villa recently, stressing the importance of picking up points at the DW Stadium.

"All the home fixtures are paramount now and we have to focus on our own performances rather the opposition's," said Martinez.

"The atmosphere against Liverpool is the benchmark we have to set for the remaining four home games. If we can re-group all the good things we've done this season and learn from the harsh lessons we've suffered at times it'll prepare us in the right manner for the run-in.

"Burnley are in a position where they'll see every game as a good opportunity to climb up the table and that will make them very dangerous.

"So we'll have to be aware of the capabilities of Burnley but I think the game has to depend on ourselves and how we approach it.

"We've had a few knocks and bruises coming to the end of a very demanding period. But we'll asses everyone in the build-up and at the moment the squad is in a great moment, ready for the challenge ahead."

The gaffer's main concern will be over the fitness of Charles N'Zogbia who picked up a knock on Tuesday night, but will be given plenty of time to recover:

"He hasn't been able to train this week due to his knock. But we'll give him plenty of time and attention as we always do, and hopefully he'll make the game."

There are 24 points up for grabs between now and the end of the campaign but Martinez believes working towards points targets is not the way to approach the run-in:

"I'm looking for consistency in our performances, but as happy as we were with how we played against Aston Villa it's important that we start getting points at this stage of the season.

"I think setting yourself points targets distracts your focus and makes you anxious the closer you get to the target.

"I'm delighted with the standards we've shown and you can see the responsibility the players have in how they've dealt with the decisions that have gone against us recently.

"We have to, as a club, get out of the position we're in by concentrating and relying on the fans' support. If we can replicate what we showed against Liverpool we'll enjoy the challenge."