Wigan boss Roberto Martinez insists chairman Dave Whelan's comments about "dodgy signings" has not damaged squad morale any more than last weekend's 9-1 defeat to Tottenham. Whelan claimed Martinez had been lumbered with some weak players brought in by former boss Steve Bruce, who coincidentally brings his Sunderland side to the DW Stadium on Saturday for the first time since his summer departure.

"We are all men. At the end of a 9-1 defeat we all need to take responsibility and we all understand that," Martinez said.

"The chairman is the most passionate man for Wigan you are ever likely to meet and he was hurt - as we all were - and in that respect he is a very honest man.

"In a way he has real high standards, he knows what we can do and he is demanding. I don't see anything wrong with that.

"No one cares more than ourselves about our own standards.

"We don't focus on any outside voice or force outside the training ground and that is the key to being successful - not just in one game but in the short and long-term period.

"We need to take responsibility for what happened on Sunday."

Martinez said he had spoken to the chairman after the Tottenham defeat but that there had been no heated exchange of words between the two.

"He is a very consistent man - he doesn't change in defeat or victory and our method of work is very consistent and in that respect he is the perfect chairman," he added.