Wigan Athletic may be tempted to change their name to something not beginning with ‘W’ after they failed to escape the EPL’s bottom three despite a thrilling home victory over Blackburn and a merited draw at in-form Liverpool.

And they exited the FA Cup this week in a fourth round replay, losing at home 1-0 to Lancashire rivals Bolton.

Meanwhile, Latics boss Roberto Martinez has spoken about midfielder James McCarthy’s international future as the 20-year-old ponders whether to represent the Republic of Ireland or Scotland.

Wigan are above only Wolves and West Ham – and behind fourth bottom West Brom by one goal – in the EPL.

Martinez had been effusive in his praise for the team after the 4-3 win over Rovers, which included a Hugo Rodallega goal to equal Wigan’s EPL scoring record.

He described the performance as “complete”, adding: “If you look at the style, the quality and the arrogance, it was out of this world.”

But he criticised Liverpool’s new striker Luis Suarez for “winning” a number of free-kicks in the 1-1 draw at Anfield.

He said: “Three-quarters were not free-kicks. He won them in a clever way…and he’s been doing that for years.”

Martinez said McCarthy needed “plenty of time” to decide his international future but praised the 20-year-old, saying: “James is probably the most mature 20-year-old in football. And he wants to help Wigan, which is fantastic.”

The Bolton defeat leaves the Latics without a game until January 26^th when they host EPL leaders Manchester United.