Robert-go Martinez

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez may be in trouble this season as his side are currently struggling to get themselves out of the bottom three in the Barclays Premier League table.

The Latics have only won one game this season so far and have drawn two, giving them just five points from 11 league games. It is not as if Wigan have had a tough run of fixtures. Their points have come from playing against all three newly promoted teams; draws against Norwich and Swansea and a win against Queen’s Park Rangers.

The only ‘top four’ side they have faced is Manchester City (and arguably Tottenham). So their immediate future looks bleak with a run of fixtures against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United during the Christmas period.

We all knew Wigan would be near the bottom but they have always managed to just steer clear of relegation, and maybe that is why Martinez still has his job. He has saved Wigan before and so understandably the owner will trust him.

However, with the promoted sides doing well and the North-West side not producing results, it is hard to see how they will avoid the drop come May. Furthermore, Wigan’s top goal scorer, Franco Di Santo, has only netted three goals this campaign, making him the second lowest club top scorer in the league.

Martinez will have to produce something special if he is to turn things around, either that or make a couple of significant signings when the January transfer window arrives.

On Sunday things went from bad to worse for Wigan. Antolin Alcaraz was caught on camera spitting at Richard Stearman in the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, a game Wigan should have been aiming to come away with at least a point but failed to do so.

Alcaraz will now serve a three match ban and misses key games against Blackburn, Sunderland and Arsenal, all of which valuable points could be earned.

Perhaps Martinez should take a look at Newcastle. They are still unbeaten in the league and this stems from a solid, well organised defence. The Latics have the worst goal difference in the league.

But obviously, their strikers need to start scoring, for club and for manager. They have only scored an abysmal seven goals this season, which needs to change fast otherwise they could find themselves in a tough position only half-way through the campaign.

James Harris