Martinez: Wigan meeting challenge head-on

Roberto Martinez is backing his Wigan Athletic players to prove their mettle in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a local derby at Bolton.

The Latics went down 1-0 at home to Newcastle on Sunday, missing the chance to move up to 12th position in the English Premier League table.

They have an immediate chance to hit back at the Reebok, and Martinez has been pleased with the way they have reacted this week.”There was still a feeling of disappointment after Sunday as we did not perform in the way we can after two very good performances,” the Wigan boss said.”Now we feel we cannot wait to get back on the pitch and get rid of that disappointment.”

“Mentally we are full of desire, and the reaction has been fantastic.”

“Taking away the performance against Newcastle, we have been very strong recently.””We always face adversity in a very good way and will continue to work hard for each other.”

Bolton have lost their last two matches – at Chelsea and Liverpool – but Owen Coyle’s men are still riding high in seventh on the table.

“We know how difficult this game is going to be because Bolton have been in very good form, especially at home,” Martinez added.”They have a group of players who have been working together for a long, long time, and have had some outstanding results this season.””You know you are going to be very tested in every department as they will fight until the last second. They are playing with a smile on their face and enjoying their football.”

The Latics will be without on-loan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who is unable to face his parent club, while Charles N’Zogbia serves the second match of a three-match suspension for his sending-off against Arsenal on December 29.

James McCarthy (ankle), Franco di Santo (ankle), Emmerson Boyce (hamstring) and Victor Moses (shoulder) are all out.