Martinez plays down Fulham clash

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has dismissed the suggestion that Saturday’s visit of fellow strugglers Fulham is a ‘must-win’ game.

Wigan, who are without a win in their last three English Premier League outings, go into the match in the bottom three but know victory will see them jump above 14th-placed Fulham.

Martinez is naturally aiming to win the match but – with just under half the season still to come – the Spaniard is confident his team have plenty of time to play their way out of trouble, regardless of the outcome at the DW stadium.

“No, I don’t think it’s a must-win,” Martinez said.

“But the way the league is going now, any game is an opportunity to add points. That’s going to be the sign of this year’s competition.”

“We beat Wolves on Boxing Day, which everyone spoke about being a six-pointer and such a crucial game, and then Wolves beat Liverpool and Chelsea and got six points.”

“It shows you the league is different from any other season, due to the fact teams are prepared to take risks against the top five and play with bravery.”

“If you take your chances, you have the chance to win points.”

“At the top, you have five teams trying to win the title, then seven teams fighting to get into Europe, and then the other eight teams fighting to avoid relegation – so it’s an open competition.”

Wigan welcome back Charles N’Zogbia from suspension and Martinez feels the French winger will have a point to prove after sitting out the last three matches following a red card against Arsenal.

“Charles has been enjoying his football, he’s been a top performer all season,” Martinez said.

“He’s coming back after suspension so he’ll be desperate to help the team, and he wants to get rid of that feeling that he had against Arsenal – and that’s always positive.”

A congested fixture list at the start of 2011 has taken its toll on the Wigan squad, leaving Martinez battling against a minor injury crisis.

“We’ve been through a very demanding period, five games in 13 days, and that presents a real risk of injury.”

“We lost Tom Cleverley at Bolton with a hamstring problem, but it balances up a little bit with Charles coming back.”

Wigan will also be without James McCarthy and Franco di Santo due to ankle problems, Victor Moses (shoulder) and Chris Kirkland, who is still suffering from a concussion sustained against Bolton.

Misfit Mauro Boselli remains a Wigan player while his loan deal with Genoa is being negotiated, but he will miss the visit of Fulham due to a hamstring injury.