In the 2010-11 season Wigan escaped relegation on the last day of the season. Despite a disappointing year chairman Dave Whelan stuck by manager Roberto Martinez (pictured). However, this decision looked questionable at the start of the 2011-12 season with the Lactics slumping to the bottom of the table [GALLO/GETTY]
Published On 17 Apr 201217 Apr 2012
A 2-0 defeat to Swansea on March 3rd was Wigan(***)s 15th defeat of the season. Martinez branded the loss their (***)worst performance in four or five years(***). The result left Wigan bottom of the Premier League and without a home win in 12 games [GALLO/GETTY]
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The fortunes of Wigan slightly improved in March with a 1-1 draw against both Norwich and West Brom. When Wolves were defeated 5-0 by Man United the Lactics finally moved off the foot of the table. Here James McArthur celebrates opening the scoring against West Brom [GALLO/GETTY]
Wigan continued Liverpool(***)s poor run with a shock 2-1 defeat over Steven Gerrard(***)s men at Anfield. It was Wigan(***)s first win at Anfield and was a massive boost to their survival hopes - they were now only one point from safety [GALLO/GETTY]
The Lactics(***) revival gathered momentum with a 2-0 victory over Stoke thanks to goals from Antolin Alcaraz and Victor Moses. It was the first time all season Wigan had managed back-to-back wins and suggested sticking with Martinez might be paying off [GALLO/GETTY]
Linesmen and referee Mike Jones (pictured) were not in the Wigan fans good books after their clash with Chelsea. Chelsea were 2-1 winners on the day but both Ivanovic and Mata(***)s goals had been offside. Still, it was another positive performance from Martinez(***)s men against strong opposition [GALLO/GETTY]
From Chelsea to Man United - fixtures got no easier for Wigan. However, in one of the biggest shocks of the season Wigan came away 1-0 winners over the Premier League leaders. Thumbs up all round... the Lactics were in the safety zone for the first time in four months [GALLO/GETTY]
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And there was no sign of the Wigan wagon slowing down against tough opponents Arsenal. Wigan scored twice in the first eight minutes to gain a 2-1 win and lift themselves five points clear of the relegation zone [GALLO/GETTY]
Survival now looks likely for Wigan, and if Martinez(***)s team continues in the same vein of form it is a strong message that sometimes sticking by your manager is the right thing to do [GALLO/GETTY]
