Paul Scharner admits there was relief inside the home dressing room after Wigan Athletic's 1-0 win over Sunderland.

After the 9-1 drubbing at Tottenham last weekend every member of that squad had to ask themselves some difficult questions.

Fortunately for them and manager Roberto Martinez they came up with the right answers in a committed performance against former manager Steve Bruce's Black Cats with striker Hugo Rodallega grabbing the only goal.

"It was for everyone maybe the worst week of their careers," said man of the match Scharner. "After Tottenham we wished we could have played the next day because it means you can forget your last game.

"It was very quiet the last week on the training pitch. Everyone was focused on doing their best.

"It was a tough week. We were in every day, we didn't have a day off, and you can see it worked.

"For me it was a good response from the whole team. We fought the whole 90 minutes."