Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has vowed to prioritise Premier League safety over a possible FA Cup triumph.
The Latics are just 90 minutes away from a trip to Wembley, with Everton their opponents in next weekend’s quarter-final clash.
But, despite the lure of a potential domestic final, Martinez, who watched his team slip to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool on Saturday, is adamant that his priority is keeping a spot in the top tier of English football:
“Success in the Cup is something we want, but never at the price that it would affect our league campaign,” he is quoted by The Mirror.
“That’s something I will never allow to happen. Our situation is a dangerous one and the position we are in after losing to Liverpool means we need to find the best possible team to carry on playing in the league.”
The Spaniard went on to state that he will continue to use fringe players in the competition in a bid to keep everybody in his squad fit and ready to contribute to their bid for survival:
“The Cup game will give us the opportunity to make changes. Not to rest people, but maybe to find people who deserve to be in the team and to develop real competition.
“Those who have played in the Cup deserve an opportunity and need to show what they can do against Premier League opposition.”
Wigan are currently clear of the drop zone on goal difference, but have played one more game than closest rivals Aston Villa.
They face home clashes with Newcastle and Norwich, before a potentially decisive trip to Loftus Road to take on QPR.
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