As with all things in football, a shock is never too far away, and so it proved at White Hart Lane this weekend as the Latics deservedly took all three points from their clash with Tottenham.
Spurs, as the Latics were with Blackpool, displayed the complacency of a side that thought they only had to turn up to win the game The Latics on the other hand were busy, and eager to make amends for their opening two disasters.
The display was similar to that of the opening half against Chelsea, but the Latics remained tight at the back with Ali Al-Habsi impressing in goal.
Antolin Alcaraz and Steve Gohouri are improving game by game, looking much more comfortable with Al-Habsi behind them.
Perhaps the most interesting decision from Martinez was the allocation of Ronnie Stam on the left flank. Being a Dutchman, Stam is obviously well versed in the total football idea, although left wing may be a somewhat strange position for a right back.
The absence of Moses and N'Zogbia hampered the attacking threat from the Latics, but the late switch of Rodallega to striker paid dividends as the Columbian scored the winner with just ten minutes remaining.
A much deserved result for the Latics who more than matched Harry Redkanpp's side on the day. The result was just what the side needed ahead of a week's rest. The table looks much more rosy now and with the right faces coming in on Tuesday, the entire season will look brighter.
I think August will be a month that Martinez will be glad to put behind him.
Here is the reaction of those involved.
Roberto Martinez
The fans were hurt after this fixture last season and so the feelings we have now are for them. I'm delighted with the reaction the players have shown. When you talk about mental tests in football this one was massive.
After the result here last season and the one against Chelsea last week, and also with what has happened within the team there was a lot to overcome. But we looked like a new squad ready to go onto a new level.
I said to the players before the game that nobody expected us to do anything against Spurs and that it was an opportunity to show that team-spirit and togetherness you need in any sort of performance.
Anyone connected with Wigan Atheltic will be extremely proud of the players after this result. They fought for each other and with great intelligence they knew what to do in every situation.
With great intensity and confidence I think we looked like scoring every time we went forward. I had a huge belief that things would click into place for us. The talent within the squad is incredible. Yes we're light in numbers but you cannot question the ability we have.
All we have been missing was that desire and love to play for Wigan Athletic, but at White Hart Lane we showed that which was the most pleasing aspect. We have a group of players who are desperate to play for this club, and that's what counts.
Until you have that commitment all the other aspects of your game are irrelevant. The success this club has had through the years is based on that desire and we showed it in abundance against top opposition.
We've made a statement for ourselves and created a bit of history for the club. Our first win here at Spurs is something to celebrate, but we need to keep improving on this for the rest of the season.
Harry Redknapp
I'm not happy, I'm not going to be full of the joys of spring tonight. Credit to them, they came and played well.
We had a bad day, one of our very rare bad days since I've been here at Tottenham. It was difficult. It's easy when you sit upstairs and look at it but they closed us down.
Emmerson Boyce
We had a point to prove and the result was more about the fans than it was for us. said Boyce. They had to suffer just like us here last season, but thankfully on Saturday we were able to keep a clean-sheet and get the rewards up-front.
We felt we deserved the victory. It was a hard-working performance and I think we could have nicked a couple more towards the end.
All in all we're proud of ourselves. Last year it was hard to forget the result we had at White Hart Lane, and so to come back and get three points as well as not conceding any goals is a massive boost for us.
Everyone expected us to go to Spurs and get hammered after the start to the league campaign we've had.
With people thinking Spurs would come away with three points we had a point to prove ourselves. We put the work in, played for one another and got the result we deserved.
The table
| Latest match Sunday, 29th August 2010 |
Pld | Home | Away | Overall | Pts | GD | |||||||||||||||||
| W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | |||||||||
| 1 | Chelsea | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 9 | +14 | ||||
| 2 | Arsenal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 7 | +7 | ||||
| 3 | Manchester United | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 7 | +6 | ||||
| 4 | Bolton Wanderers | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 5 | +2 | ||||
| 5 | Birmingham City | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 5 | +1 | ||||
| 6 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 5 | +1 | ||||
| 7 | Newcastle United | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 4 | +3 | ||||
| 8 | Manchester City | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | +2 | ||||
| 9 | Sunderland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||||
| 10 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | ||||
| 11 | Blackpool | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 4 | -2 | ||||
| 12 | Liverpool | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | -2 | ||||
| 13 | Fulham | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 14 | Blackburn Rovers | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | -1 | ||||
| 15 | Aston Villa | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 3 | -3 | ||||
| 16 | West Bromwich Albion | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | -6 | ||||
| 17 | Wigan Athletic | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 3 | -9 | ||||
| 18 | Everton | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -1 | ||||
| 19 | Stoke City | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 0 | -4 | ||||
| 20 | West Ham United | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 0 | -8 | ||||
Next game
Next up for the Latics is the visit of Sunderland on the 11th of September. Steve Bruce, Lee Cattermole, and Titus Bramble all return to the DW Stadium. This will no doubt be a fixture that the Latics will target as a full three points.