Wigan Athletic vs Swansea City preview - Martinez puts Swans sentiments to one side

Posted Saturday, March 03, 2012 by PA

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez admits he has great affection for former club Swansea but he hopes to send them away from the DW Stadium unhappy on Saturday.

The Swans have surprised many with how well they have adapted to their first season in the Barclays Premier League.

They appear to have done enough to survive, sitting 14th on 30 points, and Martinez has nothing but admiration for the team he played for and led to the League One title as boss in 2008.

But Wigan have always been closer to his heart, as his first club in English football, and with games running out to secure their survival he knows there is no room for sentiment.

"I have a huge feeling for Swansea, it is a special club," said the Spaniard, whose side can not only move off the bottom of the table with a win but can lift themselves out of the relegation zone.

"It is understandable when you spend seven seasons there like I did going through a rollercoaster of emotions trying to achieve promotion as a player.

"As a manager we were able to be very successful starting from scratch. Those are memories I will never lose and I am extremely proud of them - I always hope the best for them but on Saturday I won't be able to share that feeling.

"I am looking at the position we are in with Wigan, more than ever it is a really important period for the club.

"Swansea are not a newly-promoted side any more and for the first two-thirds of the season they deserve respect and huge credit from everyone.

"They will come and get on the ball, keep the ball for long spells and we have to find a way to carry on playing well and achieving the points we need - that is my focus and my concentration.

"If I was concentrating on other things I wouldn't be helping myself."

Martinez will have to make a late decision on the fitness of some of his internationals.

Paraguay defender Antolin Alcaraz and Honduras defender Maynor Figueroa had long trips after playing for their countries in South America and were not expected to arrive back until Friday afternoon.

Defender Gary Caldwell sustained a cut leg playing for Scotland in midweek but he is expected to recover.

Martinez may have given Joe Allen his first run in the Swansea side but the midfielder also insists there will be no room for sentiment.

Allen was handed his Swans debut under Kenny Jackett but it was Martinez who first played him on a regular basis.

The 21-year-old has subsequently gone on to become an integral part of Swansea's squad and has won many admirers for his impressive performances this season.

If Swansea, who are nine points clear of the drop zone, can extend Wigan's miserable record at the DW Stadium and pick up their third win on the road it would move them ever closer to safety, and leave the Latics firmly in the mire.

Allen says any sympathy for Martinez will be put on hold.

He said: "He was someone who showed faith in me and gave me my first real run of games so I will be eternally grateful to him for that as will a lot of players who are still here from his regime as well.

"From a personal point of view you could feel sympathy for him but as professionals we are representing Swansea City and the brutal reality is that we are competing against every team in this league and I don't think we can allow ourselves to feel sympathy for any players or managers.

"It is ruthless and a tough league and still at this stage of the season there are a lot of points to be won and there are sure to be a few twists and turns between now and the end of the season.

"Our away form has not been as consistent as we would have liked and maybe the fact that they have won only once at home could work against them.

"We think it is time to start improving that side of our game. We have got be hopeful and go into the game with a strong belief and that we can come home with all three points."

Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm has overcome a virus to be available.

The Holland international missed last week's trip to Stoke but has now recovered, with strikers Danny Graham and Leroy Lita also expected to be fit after being hit by the same illness.

But midfielder Kemy Agustien is facing a lengthy lay-off after surgery revealed his ankle injury was worse than first thought.