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Fighting talk from Wigan boss Roberto Martinez
WIGAN boss Roberto Martinez has warned Manchester City’s highly paid mercenaries that his players are willing to give everything for the cause as they look to extend their stay in the Premier League.
Results last weekend meant that the Latics dropped to bottom spot and Martinez believes Wigan will need another 13 points to secure their survival in the top flight. “The next 10 games are so important for these players’ careers and everyone involved,” said Martinez.
“This is our dream. It is our sixth season in the Premier League and that is a fantastic football story. So we are going to give our lives to stay here.
“Everything we are planning in the long term depends on being in the Premier League.”
It is a measure of the determination of Wigan to stay in the top flight that their star players were not sold off in January, despite many rumours of interest.
However, all the hard work in building a squad could be undone by an untimely drop into the Championship.
Everything we are planning in the long term depends on being in the Premier League
Martinez added: “I feel we have a few players who have the potential to play for a team like Manchester City or at the top level in world football. Provided we stay in the top flight this season, it will be easier after this.
“It was a real statement as well that, in January, we were not forced to sell players.
“Financially, we are in a very good state, but it is paramount that we don’t go down.”