Opinion: Four wins in five puts Latics in the box seat

Last updated : 17 April 2012 By Paul Farrington

Some baffling refereeing decisions at Chelsea aside and we would be looking at a very impressive run of five victories from the last five games.

This run would be all the more impressive when you consider the results have come against Liverpool, Stoke City, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal.

Given the weekend defeats of Q.P.R. and Blackburn anything gained in the game with Arsenal was going to be a bonus for the Latics.

To be 2-0 up after just eight minutes and supporters were in dream land. To a man the Latics were truely superb once again. Each and every player worked 110% for the manager and for the shirt.

This was another display of confidence, arrogance, desire, and teamwork from the Latics that offered even more continuing evidence that Roberto Martinez and his side have more than enough to survive.

Whilst all those around Wigan Athletic continue to flounder in the league table, the Latics continue to serve up composed performances that are confounded their rivals to a fate of relegation.

With just four games left of the season the past five games have separated those clubs with the framework for survival from those who don't.

Roberto Martinez must take a huge amount of credit for the recent turnaround in fortunes.

It was very easy to be critical of the Latics earlier in the season when things were not gonig so well. Even more so after the January transfer window. We didn't splash the cash and supporters were deeply concerned.

Fast forward three months and we have a team playing like Champions that include a fantastic addition in Jean Beausejour (ironically what a superb January signing). Out manager has stuck true to philosophy and now the team are reaping the benefits.

We are now on the cusp of survival and have a fantastic chance of staying the division. There are still four huge games to go, but we're in with more than a shout.

Before the Manchester United game I was approached by a friend who remarked upon the positivity of my pieces for the Wigan Evening Post. After the game we had an interesting passing of comments!

Perhaps the most satisfying thing, and the reason for my amazingly positive pieces in recent weeks, has not just been the fact that we have come up with surprising results, but the fact that the performances have been consistent.

Roberto Martinez has commented that the results are not a surprise to him and you can see his point. To perform at the level the Latics have been, on a consistent basis, will lead to results like those experienced over the past five games.

With four games left to go now is the time to concentrate the focus even more. Two more positive results are surely all that will be needed to more than guarantee and EIGHTH season of elite level football in Wigan.

There is a very long way to go yet, and last night's victory is only worth the same three points as Saturday's trip to Fulham.

Let's re-group and go again for the final four games of the season. We are Wigan Athletic, and we will not be moved.

Seven years in the Premier League.

Believe.

Martinez and Jones