Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez hails ‘significant three points’ after win over Birmingham City

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Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez was delighted with his side’s performance as well as the late Maynor Figueroa winner in their 2-1 win over Birmingham City.

Despite going behind in the sixth minute to a Liam Ridgewell goal the Latics showed excellent character to work their way back into the match and they got their just rewards in the first minute of stoppage time when Figueroa’s right foot shot flew past Ben Foster to send the DW Stadium wild.

“It was pleasing, more than anything was the manner that the players performed,” he told reporters at his post-match press conference.

“We all knew how important the game was, the significance of the three points, we’re in stage of the season where you can’t hide that anymore.

“We had a very sloppy start, we looked very anxious, we felt that we wanted to win the game but we didn’t know how. We got really hurt with a set play and go one nil down and then I’m just extremely proud.”

Tom Cleverley’s equaliser mid-way through the first half was particularly pleasing for Martinez as it came at the end of a flowing move involving the whole team.

The Latics worked the ball forward before Ben Watson released Charles N’Zogbia – Foster couldn’t hold onto his low cross allowing Cleverley to fire into the open net.

“I felt the Cleverley goal was a joy to watch,” he said.

“From the back we can sometimes get frustrated but it’s about understanding why we are trying to get that possession.  

“That goal opens the whole Birmingham side up from the back to the front which is one of the biggest strengths they’ve got.

“I felt in the second half we were very mature for a young group, we controlled Birmingham, we defended with great intensity and then we created chance after chance.”

The win doesn’t lift Wigan off the bottom of the table but it brings them closer to the teams above them, and leaves them just three points off Blackburn Rovers.

“Sometimes it’s hard to be stubborn and stick with your football concepts,” said Martinez.

“That’s why today was so pleasing because football gave us three points back just because of the attitude of the players.

“I think we need to forget about the table, we’ve got nine games to go, if we don’t get over 40 points it’s going to be very difficult to stay in the Premier League.

“I think there are seven or eight teams and someone could get really surprised and dragged into a wrong position really late in the season.

“We need to get over 40 points but it’s impossible to guess the points tally that you’re going to need this season, but I just feel with our goal difference we need more than 40 points, and that’s where the focus is. We got three today and we need another 10.

“We are a very close family in the football club, and that’s the biggest strength we’ve got.

“The crowd kicked on in the second half], from then on it was a real chemistry and strong environment and that’s something we need to carry on in the three games we’ve got left at home.

“It can only get better, we’re still bottom of the table but the next eight games are an opportunity to get out of the position we’re in.

“The Barclays Premier League this season has been fantastic, and there’s still a lot of twists and turns to come our way. “

The Latics boss had some final praise for full-back Figueroa after he scored his third goal for the club, and the Spaniard revealed he was delighted that the Ecuadorian had completed the perfect hat-trick with his strikes

“He’s had 110 appearances, and he’s got the perfect hat-trick,” joked Martinez.

“He got the wonder goal against Stoke with his left foot, one header against Spurs and now one with the right foot.

“It’s just a shame it took him 110 games!”