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Anxiety got the better of us - Wigan's Martinez

Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez admits his team got anxious in the second half when they were 1-0 up, causing a draw at home with Stoke City.

The Latics took the lead when Paul Scharner nodded home after 14 minutes but they conceded in the 76th minute and Martinez believes anxiety cost them the win although he did have mixed feelings about the result.

"I am disappointed that we didn't get the second goal," Martinez said.

"I think the first half we controlled the game really well and were well worth the lead.

"But obviously in the second half, when you have got something to lose you are a little bit anxious and you could see the players getting a little bit anxious.

"We wanted to take this team out of the game by keeping the ball, but Stoke put on a lot of pressure. They put bodies forward, and to be honest the pitch didn't help us to get through that pressure.

"But in the end I am delighted with the reaction because once you get the disappointment of conceding the goal, probably a few weeks or a few months back we would have folded, and the toughest way to react is showing that character and knowing how.

"So at the end just from individuals and the team, the roles that they played allowed us to have a point out of the game."

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Andrew Slevison
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