Wigan hoping for change in fortunes

The Latics have just four points from their opening six Barclays Premier League games and Martinez admits players have needed lifting after not getting the results they feel they deserve.

Martinez was especially disappointed after last week's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, a match Wigan dominated until the sending off of Jordi Gomez early in the second half. Gomez has since won an appeal for wrongful dismissal.

Martinez said: "We have been very unfortunate with certain moments that have affected our results.

"That has given us a bit of a negative feeling about ourselves and that is what we need to change.

"The negative feeling is when you play well and don't get a positive result. You get a bit of a feeling of frustration and disappointment.

"You want to play well with real bravery and enjoyment and we have done that, but then you need the reward of a positive result at the end of it. Otherwise it is difficult to bring some sort of momentum.

"Especially at home, we need to change our results and make sure we can be strong opposition for any team that comes to the DW Stadium."

Wigan will this weekend host high-flying Everton, who finished seventh after a strong late run last season and are second in the table having lost just once.

Martinez said: "You can really see a continuity in what they have done from January onwards.

"Two or three new faces came in and they developed a strong momentum and they have carried that through.

"Without a doubt it is one of the best starts they have had for a long, long time. Probably the last time they had this sort of start they ended up in the Champions League spaces, which tells you how well they have done.

"But it is not surprise. I don't think anyone will tell you that seeing Everton in those positions, in that kind of form, is a surprise.

"They have a really good stability internally with the manager and the players.

"They have got a very good core of experienced players with a competitive edge and certain individuals that can win a game in one action."

Wigan won seven of their last nine games last season to produce a second successive memorable escape from relegation under Martinez and want to push higher this term.

Martinez insists there are no specific goals.

The Spaniard said: "The Barclays Premier League is such a strong competition that, when you start to talk about the aims at the end of the season, you can be very wrong when you start trying to set targets in August.

"What is important is that we want to do better than last season.

"I do feel the squad is ready to take that step up and fight for other things than avoiding relegation.

"But until you get to that 40-point mark you can't really go any further than that. All we want is to be consistent and competitive in every performance.

"I would say we are ready for Saturday, we are ready to look forward to getting rid of this run we have had and make sure we affect our own performances in a positive way for 90 minutes."