Spurs clash holds new fear for Martinez

Roberto Martinez insists he is relishing the prospect of returning to the scene of Wigan’s worst nightmare after his side made tentative steps towards rectifying their dismal start to the season with Carling Cup victory at Hartlepool.

Seldom can a win over a League One outfit have meant so much to a side of top-flight stars but after shipping 10 goals without reply in their first two Barclays Premier League games Martinez believes the 3-0 win could have kick-started the Latics’ campaign.

And Martinez is adamant he has no fear over heading back to White Hart Lane at the weekend – scene of his team’s infamous 9-1 rout by Tottenham just under a year ago in which hot-shot Jermain Defoe helped himself to five goals.

Martinez said: “We can’t wait to get there and get rid of that feeling that we had last season. We know it’s going to be a tough game but it’s not just a tough game for Wigan Athletic – it’s a tough game for anybody.

“When you look at the squad Harry (Redknapp) has put together and the way they are performing they are a joy to watch but I feel that we are getting stronger every day because you can see that we are doing many good things on the pitch.

“Sometimes we are doing things at the wrong time but we are starting to gel. Nobody expects us to get a result at Spurs in the same way that nobody expected us to get a result against Chelsea, but we will continue to work for it.”

Martinez is unlikely to be able to call on striker Victor Moses for the trip to White Hart Lane. Moses was undergoing tests on Wednesday after limping off with a serious-looking ankle injury moments from the end of the Victoria Park clash.