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Page last updated at 21:47 GMT, Saturday, 21 August 2010 22:47 UK

Unhappy Martinez backed by Whelan

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Martinez upbeat on Wigan's table position

Manager Roberto Martinez said he has chairman Dave Whelan's support after Wigan suffered their second successive heavy defeat - a 6-0 loss to Chelsea.

Wigan have now conceded 10 goals in two games and some bookmakers have made Martinez favourite to be the first Premier League boss sacked this season.

"He knows the situation we're in, and he couldn't be any more supportive," Martinez said of Whelan.

Asked about his future: "I can't waste any time worrying about that."

The Latics began the season with a 4-0 drubbing at home to this season's billed whipping-boys Blackpool.

There has been further uncertainty in the camp, with speculation surrounding the future of left-sided player Charles N'Zogbia.

And only this week, the Wigan squad first-team squad voted for a new vice-captain and appointed a group of five to share the responsibility.

606: DEBATE

Martinez is confident his side can reverse their fortunes during the coming season.

"I need to worry about how to get the team to perform for 90 minutes because it's a young side that is capable of the best, and we have to build on that, and that is my focus and concentration," said the former Swansea boss.

"I've huge belief in this group of players. I know we're going to get the results from the potential we showed in the first half.

"We're working towards the aim of staying in the Premier League and that's the focus."

Wigan were the better side for the first 30 minutes, putting Chelsea's midfield under pressure.

Ancelotti salutes strength of squad

But 10 minutes before the break, Florent Malouda handed the Blues the lead following his side's first foray into the Wigan area.

But it was two goals in four minutes from Nicolas Anelka straight after the break that ended Wigan's hopes of taking anything away from the game.

Two more strikes from Salomon Kalou and an injury-time effort from Yossi Benayoun put gloss on the scoreline.

"I'm feeling low for the players because they didn't deserve that," said Martinez.

"Today was a big day for us because we needed a response after what happened on Saturday, and we had that in the first half.

"I was as proud as I can be of the efforts of the players and the way we played.

"But in the second half we need to learn not to be that naive and when the third goal went in, in a way we accepted the game was finished.

The contrast the emotions of Martinez and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti could not be greater.

The Italian's side have now scored 12 goals in two games, having scored six past West Brom last week.

Ancelotti was quick to remark that Chelsea were unlikely to be netting half-a-dozen goals on a regular basis.

"We have a lot of skills," said the 51-year-old former AC Milan boss.

Chelsea will 'scare' everyone - Kalou

"Our best quality is we are able to counter attack fantastically well, strike fast and with ability.

"When we have space it is difficult for the opponent to control us.

"But it is impossible to think we have to score six goals in a game all the time because this is not real football, this is PlayStation football."

Ancelotti was also keen to point out that despite what the scoreline suggested, it was not a one-sided game at the DW Stadium.

"The first half was tough. Wigan played good football, put pressure on us, and we were not able to play our football as there was no space," he added.

"But we defended well, didn't give them opportunities and we waited to score, which is important because in football you have to defend and attack.

"It's impossible to have total control of the game with possession, sometimes you have to defend, and in the first half we defended very well.

"Maybe they spent a lot of energy in the first half because in the second it was easier for us as we had more opportunities to score."



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Premier League table snapshot

As it stood on 21 Aug 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Chelsea2126
2Arsenal264
3Bolton224
4Birmingham214
5Wolves214
6Tottenham214
7Aston Villa133
8Man Utd133
9Blackburn203
10Blackpool2-23
11West Brom2-53
12Liverpool101
13Fulham101
14Man City101
15Sunderland2-11
16Everton2-11
17Stoke2-20
18Newcastle1-30
19West Ham2-50
20Wigan2-100

see also
Wigan 0-6 Chelsea
21 Aug 10 |  Premier League
Ancelotti salutes strength of squad
21 Aug 10 |  Chelsea
Saturday football as it happened
21 Aug 10 |  Football
How to watch Match of the Day
09 Aug 11 |  Match of the Day


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