Latics boss Roberto Martinez slammed his side’s “worst performance” of the season as they lost 1-0 at home to Newcastle last weekend, only three days after holding high-flying Arsenal to a draw at the DW Stadium.

Martinez also had harsh words for star player Charles N’Zogbia after his dismissal against the Gunners for headbutting Jack Wilshere left Wigan a goal and a man down with twelve minutes left.

The ten-man Latics fashioned a remarkable comeback to gain a point against Arsenal. But their woeful display against Newcastle left them firmly in the EPL’s bottom three. 

Martinez said of N’Zogbia’s dismissal: “There’s no excuses, that’s unacceptable. It’s a bad reaction. He let his team down.”

The Latics supremo has looked to his native Spain for his first signing of the window, picking up under-21 international defender Adrian Lopez on loan until the end of the season.

Lopez left La Liga outfit Deportivo La Coruna last summer and has trained with Wigan while waiting for FIFA clearance for the deal. Martinez said:

“He is very calm under pressure and is a defender with real potential.”

A much-changed Latics side face Championship side Hull in the FA Cup this Saturday. They will be without midfielder Tom Cleverley and goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, both injured in the 1-1 draw at Bolton this week.

Cleverley will miss up to four weeks with a hamstring strain, while Kirkland was concussed at Bolton and will be rested, while striker Mario Boselli is also out with a hamstring injury.