Martinez hoping Moses can kick-start recovery

Wigan manager says new signings will help in Premier League survival fight

(PA)

Roberto Martinez believes new arrivals Victor Moses and Marcelo Moreno can help to solve Wigan's crisis of confidence up front.

The transfer deadline day recruits were ineligible for Tuesday night's FA Cup fourth-round replay against Notts County at the DW Stadium and will have to wait until Saturday at the earliest to make their Latics debuts.

In their absence, Wigan endured another miserable 90 minutes in front of goal, spurning a host of opportunities which allowed League Two County to pull off a shock 2-0 victory.

It had been a similar story last Saturday in the Premier League defeat to Everton, and Martinez is hoping the addition of Moses and Moreno will give his forward line a timely boost.

"They will help us because obviously we are going to have good competition up front now," Martinez said. "I think it has been quite clear to see that we have been very low on confidence in front of goal.

"You look at the chances that we had (against Notts County) and the chances that we had on Saturday and you need to score goals when you create those sorts of chances. But the two players are going to come in and give us a bit more strength and in that respect it will improve that department."

Wigan now have a battle for survival to focus on in the league, where they have recorded just one win in their last eight games and are a point above the relegation zone.

Despite Tuesday's woeful performance, Martinez insists his team are heading in the right direction and believes the time for judgement will be at the end of the season.

Asked if he felt he and the players were still making progress, Martinez said: "Massively, but I don't think we are ready to go in two competitions and try to be successful in both. I think our priority is the Premier League.

"There have been many changes this season and situations where we need to focus on the Premier League. That doesn't mean it is an excuse to explain the defeat, but the FA Cup is a competition that for us is not really where we are going to be judged overall for the season.

"I understand the disappointment for the fans but I know they are going to show that togetherness as a football club and help us to turn the situation around. We have got 16 games in the league and our aim is to stay in the Premier League."

After soaking up the pressure for most of the second half, County stunned Wigan with 15 minutes to go by scoring twice in quick succession.

Ben Davies saw one cross turned in by Stephen Hunt and then another by the Latics defender Gary Caldwell three minutes later to send the travelling fans into delirium.

Their 2-0 victory set up a fifth-round trip to Premier League Fulham and another potential money-spinning giant-killing act.