Latics not far off top form

Last updated : 29 January 2013 By Paul Farrington

The Latics travel to Stoke City this evening for what can only be described as a tough fixture.

Despite the present poor run of form, Roberto Martinez believes it is nly small margins that are holding the Latics back.

Speaking to the Wigan Evening Post, he said: “I don’t think we are playing too differently now to the way we did at the end of last season.

“Probably we are now just a little bit exposed and conceding goals too easily. The margins in which we need to improve are not massive, but now is the time to be doing it.”

Martinez was also full of praise for the achievements of Stoke City who have performed well in the Premier League over recent years.

“What Stoke have done over the years - both on and off the pitch - has been incredible,” he recognised.

“Tony Pulis has strengthened the squad year on year, taken the club into the Europa League, and also they have built a new training ground.

“Stoke, along with Wigan and every other club in the world, have the right to play the game the way they want to. The aim of the game is to put the ball in the back of the net and Stoke do that with ease.

“Whatever style you use, you just need to be good at it. Styles of play will not give you wins - what gives you wins is being good at the style of play you use.”