Wigan boss Roberto Martinez takes blame for 9-1 defeat

Martinez will lock horns against Steve Bruce on Saturday

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has deflected criticism from chairman Dave Whelan following Sunday's record 9-1 Premier League defeat by Tottenham.

Whelan said weak players signed by ex-boss Steve Bruce were responsible for the second-half collapse.

But Martinez said: "I take responsibility for the result.

"The chairman is the most passionate man for Wigan you are ever likely to meet and he was hurt and in that respect he is a very honest man."

Martinez said he had been in contact with Whelan in the wake of the defeat, which saw goalkeeper Chris Kirkland leak eight goals in 45 minutes, but had not exchanged any heated words with the chairman.

"He has real high standards, he knows what we can do and he is demanding. I don't see anything wrong with that," he said.

It doesn't matter who we are playing against, it's about our performance Roberto Martinez

"He is a very consistent man - he doesn't change in defeat or victory and our method of work is very consistent. In that respect he is the perfect chairman."

Wigan's players personally refunded hundreds of supporters who made the trip to White Hart Lane following the embarrassing defeat, which saw striker Jermain Defoe net five second-half goals.

Martinez admitted to watching the horror show "between nine or 10 times" in an attempt to analyse the myriad of errors and ensure those mistakes are never repeated.

"If you watch the first half and ask anyone to guess the (full-time) score I don't think anyone would get it right," said the Spaniard.

"There were many things we didn't do right in the second half. The scoreline highlights the problems we have had this season and we need to ensure that never happens again and get back to the levels which, at times, have been outstanding this season."

606: DEBATE The football will talk on the pitch on Saturday - hopefully it'll be a decent game bierloopy

With Wigan's players eager to rectify their form on the pitch, their next league match against Sunderland - managed by Bruce - at the DW Stadium on Saturday will have an added intrigue for home fans.

"The players are feeling ready to flush the bad feeling out of their bodies," said Martinez.

"The extra spice of Steve coming back would have been a talking point, but the players are so focused to put right what happened against Tottenham.

"It doesn't matter who we are playing against, it's about our performance. The fixture doesn't need any extra spice."