Similarly this term, attacker Arouna Kone has arrived from Levante as a replacement for Moses. Although he has been erratic, early signs from the Ivorian are that he will slot seamlessly into the Latics team.
Equally impressive as his ability to identify ready-made talent which suits his methods is Martinez’s capacity to school a range of individuals to the level where they are equipped to step into the side without disrupting its cohesion or style. Adrian Lopez has barely featured since his arrival late in 2010 from Deportivo La Coruna, yet when called upon the defender has settled into the back-three against Reading, and most notably Manchester City, with a minimum of fuss. Against City he was composed in his use of the ball – a requirement of any player under Martinez – and defensively sound.
Players such as Jones, who was restricted to just 13 league starts last term, has enjoyed a run in the team thanks to the injury and suspension enforced absence of James McArthur. He has performed with adroitness, hitherto unseen in his career, to complement his aggression alongside the excellent McCarthy.
McCarthy was the outstanding player on the pitch against Manchester City and continues to develop into one of the finest young midfielders in the league. He has been unable to replicate his Wigan form on the international stage for the Republic of Ireland which says much about Martinez’s managerial capability for encouraging the maximum from his players.
The value of the Spaniard’s tutelage is perhaps best exemplified by the transition of the Scot Gary Caldwell late in his career, from a rugged but limited central defender into a skilled ball-player and reliable stopper who is a pivotal member of both his club and national teams.
For all that positivity, fourteen matches into this campaign Wigan reside in the familiar habitat of 15th place. Wiganers who hoped for an early-season bounce after April and May’s heroics will have felt their hearts sink when their side were two goals behind against Chelsea seven minutes into their opening game.
Form has remained exasperatingly inconsistent. A deserved 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur and a dominant victory over West Ham United are set alongside dispiriting reverses at Sunderland and Swansea City and at home against Fulham and West Bromwich Albion. Even last Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Reading left an unsatisfactory taste, as extremely heavy weather was made of overcoming what increasingly appears to be the top-flight’s most limited side.
An apt microcosm of the fortunes of this Wigan team is best provided by their Capital One Cup challenge this year. After swaggering 4-1 triumphs at Nottingham Forest and West Ham the Latics were denied a place in the quarter-finals after failing to score in front of their own fans over 120 minutes against League Two Bradford City and subsequently losing a penalty shoot-out.
Next up for Martinez’s side is a trip to a disjointed, injury afflicted and low on confidence Newcastle United. If they perform to their potential, Wigan will take three points towards their aim of keeping clear of danger. Recent history suggests there is a greater likelihood of the Geordies ending a hapless run of four league defeats.
The visit to St James’ Park is exactly the type of fixture in which Martinez knows his team can change perceptions about them. They lack little in quality but are yet to demonstrate the requisite belief and ruthlessness that will banish barbs about their inability to punch their weight until their backs are to the wall.
QPR will be the opposition for Wigan’s next home match and there can be little doubt that Harry Redknapp will be eyeing that journey to Lancashire as a definite chance to claim a vital win for the struggling Londoners.
After standing up to Manchester City now is the time for Roberto Martinez and Wigan Athletic to prove that they really do belong in the big league, rather than being imposters who are happy with their sporadic moments in the sun.
For more from me, find me on Twitter @McNamara_sport, or check out my blog!
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brilliant article. everything you said was bang on the money. other journos could learn alot from you paul. well done