Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has told his players to show character and ensure their Premiership future is retained with just three games of the campaign remaining. Martinez thinks surviving this season could be a watershed moment for his squad as he expects them to very quickly grow in stature.
"In a very strange way they need to enjoy this challenge because that is something which is going to help them progress in their careers," said the Spaniard.
"In this situation it is very difficult to enjoy the day-to-day because you care about the situation but it is important once the players are on the pitch they enjoy their football.
"If you don't enjoy your football you cannot be as good or as composed as you have to be.
"If they enjoy their football during the games we will achieve our aims, I have no doubt about that.
"It is challenges like this which allow you to be as good as you can.
"They need to see how much they can control the outcome of this challenge, that is very important, and they are ready to do that.
"This process is a very hard and tough one but it will allow us to improve a lot quicker.
"The moment we are successful in this challenge is when everyone will kick on and gain the rewards of this fight and pressure situation.
"The whole season we have been in this situation and I don't like to look back for excuses.
"This season was about making sure we achieved our aim, which was another successful season for the club and staying in the Premier League.
"We have three games to achieve that."
