Latics boss Roberto Martinez this week lashed out at Derby midfielder and TV pundit Robbie Savage, who recently nominated Wigan as one of the three “Ws” he predicted would be relegated from the EPL this season.

Savage was put on the spot on Sunday’s BBC Match of the Day 2” programme. But Martinez was not interested in talking that into account. He said:

“If Johan Cruyff had said that, that would worry me. People who have been through a lot in football management, you could take a lot of their opinion.

 

“Maybe someone who has seen Wigan play six or seven times this season should give their opinion. We have not been able to get the points our performances deserve.

“Sometimes that sort of thing can be just the motivation you need.”

The Latics must overcome an injury crisis ahead of this week’s EPL home game against Aston Villa.

As well as long-term absentees James McCarthy and Victor Moses, Wigan’s squad could been shorn of Emmerson Boyce, who is still struggling with a back injury, Tom Cleverley and Franco di Santo.

It was feared Manchester United loanee Cleverley had broken a rib in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Everton, but a scan revealed only bruising.

Di Santo’s ankle injury is also less serious than first thought, with initial diagnoses suggesting ligament damage. But lack of match fitness could see him confined to the bench.

Maynor Figueroa and Hendry Thomas are both serving one-match bans for receiving five cautions this season.