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Wigan boss Roberto Martinez: I take full responsibility for Sunderland defeat
The Latics boss admits his risks in the second half did not pay off and believes he will be active in the transfer market this month
3 Jan 2012 23:57:00
By Alex Fisher at the DW Stadium
Getty Images
Roberto Martinez has taken full responsibility for Wigan's 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Sunderland on Tuesday night.
After a goalless first half, Sunderland stormed to victory after the break with goals fom Craig Gardner, James McClean, Stephane Sessegnon and David Vaughan. Hugo Rodallega goals threatened to restore parity for the hosts, who now find themselves two points adrift of safety after the defeat.
“We’ve been finishing games strong, today I take the responsibility, we took risks and Sunderland took advantage of that. Unfortunately we didn’t get the breaks," said Martinez.
“If I could’ve made 10 changes I would have made 10 changes, [the previous games] took a lot out of the players and we needed to have a bit of fresh legs but we were a little bit tired and that effects your play, you become a little bit pedestrian.
“I thought we moved the ball well and created three or four very good chances, we started bright but scoring the first goal was vital.
“It’s been a very tough period in terms of fixtures in the festive period, and I feel we need a break."
Martinez also admitted he will use the January window as a chance to bolster his squad.
“We’re well aware the [transfer] window is an opportunity," he said. "We’ll try to bring a couple of players in."
Martinez believes his side, who are now without a league win in five, contained Sunderland with ease in the opening half but insists his players must keep their defensive concentration.
"For me the first goal was going to be vital. The situation that Sunderland were in, we knew we were going to play a side with great confidence and great belief but have it in mind they would sit deep and defend so it would be a matter of being able to create enough chances to open them up and get the first goal," he said.
"I was pleased with the manner we were patient in the first half, we opened them up two or three times, hitting the post twice, they were key moments. Then of course Sunderland then get a class strike from a free kick, and from then it becomes a very hard job. They took advantage of their chances.
“Remember that today we knew Sunderland had been defending well they work with a great spirit, great on the counter attack with Sessegnon, McClean and Bendtner. If you score the first goal they have to open up, but today that didn’t happen. We need to be a bit more patient and concentrating to keep the clean sheet for longer.
“Decisions happen, I’m not going to blame decisions, but the free kick there are four players around it and Bendtner loses his balance and there’s no contact whatsoever."
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After a goalless first half, Sunderland stormed to victory after the break with goals fom Craig Gardner, James McClean, Stephane Sessegnon and David Vaughan. Hugo Rodallega goals threatened to restore parity for the hosts, who now find themselves two points adrift of safety after the defeat.
“We’ve been finishing games strong, today I take the responsibility, we took risks and Sunderland took advantage of that. Unfortunately we didn’t get the breaks," said Martinez.
“If I could’ve made 10 changes I would have made 10 changes, [the previous games] took a lot out of the players and we needed to have a bit of fresh legs but we were a little bit tired and that effects your play, you become a little bit pedestrian.
“I thought we moved the ball well and created three or four very good chances, we started bright but scoring the first goal was vital.
“It’s been a very tough period in terms of fixtures in the festive period, and I feel we need a break."
Martinez also admitted he will use the January window as a chance to bolster his squad.
“We’re well aware the [transfer] window is an opportunity," he said. "We’ll try to bring a couple of players in."
Martinez believes his side, who are now without a league win in five, contained Sunderland with ease in the opening half but insists his players must keep their defensive concentration.
"For me the first goal was going to be vital. The situation that Sunderland were in, we knew we were going to play a side with great confidence and great belief but have it in mind they would sit deep and defend so it would be a matter of being able to create enough chances to open them up and get the first goal," he said.
"I was pleased with the manner we were patient in the first half, we opened them up two or three times, hitting the post twice, they were key moments. Then of course Sunderland then get a class strike from a free kick, and from then it becomes a very hard job. They took advantage of their chances.
“Remember that today we knew Sunderland had been defending well they work with a great spirit, great on the counter attack with Sessegnon, McClean and Bendtner. If you score the first goal they have to open up, but today that didn’t happen. We need to be a bit more patient and concentrating to keep the clean sheet for longer.
“Decisions happen, I’m not going to blame decisions, but the free kick there are four players around it and Bendtner loses his balance and there’s no contact whatsoever."
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