Wigan Athletic insist the sacking of Chris Hutchings yesterday is not a sign of panic.

The Latics slipped into the bottom three after Chelsea condemned them to a sixth successive defeat on Saturday.

With just eight points from 12 games, the club have decided to act but they insist it is no knee-jerk reaction to falling into the relegation zone.

Chief executive Brenda Spencer said: "We have been looking at this over the last few weeks. The results have just not been going for us.

"We felt that for the long-term future of Wigan Athletic that Wigan and Chris would have to part company.

"It is not about Chelsea. We hoped the results would go for us and we would pick up some points but football is not always like that.

"It's where you are in the league that denotes success."