Roberto Martinez and The Great Escape

Just a couple weeks ago Wigan looked doom along with Wolves but two wins in two games has boosted their chances of survival as Roberto Martinez and his side look to pull of the great escape for the second year running.

The Latics followed up an impressive away win at struggling Liverpool with three points against Stoke which has given them more than a fighting chance of survival. If Martinez and his men were to beat the drop it would be a remarkable achievement, especially when you see the fixtures they have to play. Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Fulham are their next four games while they still have to host Newcastle too. That certainly is the definition of a tough run in. That doesn’t mean they can’t survive though.  Most people wrote them off last year and they proved everybody wrong so why can’t they do it again?

Wolves aside, the bottom of the table is now very tight. Bolton, QPR, Blackburn and Wigan have all been picking up points of late which will have Aston Villa looking worryingly over their shoulders. Wigan have momentum and perhaps more importantly know have to handle pressure cooker that is a Premier League relegation fight. This will stand them in good stead for their tough run in. They won’t change how they play and will go into each of their remaining games looking to win. This might mean that they get a few hidings along the way but like at Anfield we might see a few more upsets too.

Martinez and Wigan, in particularly Dave Whelan, deserve a great deal of credit for the loyalty they have shown to each other. Martinez turned down the Villa job and Whelan has at no point looked like panicking and sacking Martinez. He believes in his man and the football philosophy he teaches the team.

That loyalty deserves admiration. Just look at the sorry position Wolves find themselves in after the shambolic way they handled the dismissal and replacement of Mick McCarthy. Martinez has enhanced his reputation immensely with what he has achieved at Wigan and I for one hope they manage to beat the drop again. Whelan and Martinez both deserve it.  

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