Former Latics boss Steve Bruce is presently residing over the very hot seat at Sunderland. With eight defeats from nine games, the Black Cats have dropped like a stone towards the relegation zone.
Also interesting is that under the stewardship of Steve Bruce, Sunderland have never beaten the Latics. The record presently stands at two draws and one victory for Martinez's men.
The Latics boss is refusing to be complacent however and knows that a trip to the Stadium of Light is as difficult as ever.
Speaking to the Wigan Evening Post, Roberto Martinez said:“The Stadium of Light is never an easy place to go, especially at the moment with Sunderland in a difficult position.
“They will be looking for that one win that will probably keep them in the Premier League, and that will make it a tough encounter. I don’t think you can choose a right or wrong time to be playing an opponent.
“All you can do is control the things you can control – such as your own moment of form – and I just feel that over the past eight games we’ve reached a high level.
“Competition for places is as good as it has been, and our players – physically, mentally and technically – are at their best moment of the season.
“We’ll have to show a great composure and maturity on Saturday, because they’ll put us under massive pressure.
“Playing three games in a row on the road was always going to be tough, but we played well at Chelsea and Blackpool, and we aim to do the same this weekend.”
