Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez insists he has an exciting squad, despite their bottom three status.
The Latics lost a critical game at West Ham United on Saturday.
"We have got certain standards, and that is what we need to keep repeating week in and week out. If we do that, then we will get the rewards," Martinez said.
"When you look at the teams in mid-table and in the relegation battle, the difference is three points - that is something we need to make sure we can progress slowly and fulfil our potentials.
"I am excited with the players we have got, they are very young and sometimes we need to learn very painful lessons."
Wigan remain 18th, a point behind Fulham, but now only two ahead of Wolves and West Ham.
Martinez, though, remains confident for what 2011 will bring.
"I don't want Wigan to be a team which is fighting relegation, but that is going to take time," he said.
"That is the real challenge we have, but I am excited with it and put pressure on myself to do the best we can."
