Wigan midfielder James McCarthy admits it is vital Latics use Tuesday night’s Carling Cup second-round clash at League One Hartlepool as a chance to kick-start their season (Chelsea 11/2f – Carling Cup Outright).
Roberto Martinez’s side have suffered two heavy defeats in their opening Premier League games after being humbled at the DW Stadium, first by new boys Blackpool and then champions Chelsea last Saturday.
Latics have shipped 10 goals in the process, scoring none in reply, as their poor form from the end of last term continues following the 8-0 drubbing by Chelsea on the final day of the last campaign.
Wigan were dumped out of the Carling Cup at the second-round stage last season after losing 4-1 to Blackpool who were then still a Championship side.
But at least by that point Latics had some league points on the board following a shock opening-day win at Astom Villa – 12 months on things are very different for the DW Stadium outfit.
And McCarthy, who was the pick of Wigan’s side at the weekend, admits they must get up and running sooner rather than later after a bright start against Chelsea ultimately counted for nothing (Latics 20/23 – Relegation).
He said: “We have to take the positives. At times we matched Chelsea all over the pitch, especially in the first half when I feel we dominated the game.
“But they got that crucial first goal in that half and showed their class as true champions.
“Although we’ve conceded 10 goals, we are not going to look at it that way.
“We’ve suffered two defeats and hopefully we can now lift ourselves and kick on on Tuesday. We’ll go there and try and give it our all.
“Of course, the manager isn’t happy and rightly so. Conceding five goals in the second half is not acceptable and we need to address that.
“We just need to work on the training ground. I’m sure it’s as simple as that.”
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has acted to bolster his defensive options by signing free agent Steven Caldwell who was released by Burnley at the end of last season.
The 29-year-old joins his brother, Gary, at the DW Stadium and is in contention for the trip to Victoria Park.
Tuesday’s Carling Cup second-round action:
Bradford v Preston
Brentford v Hull
Crewe v Ipswich
Hartlepool v Wigan
Leeds United v Leicester
Leyton Orient v West Brom
Millwall v Middlesbrough
MK Dons v Blackpool
Morecambe v Burnley
Peterborough v Cardiff
Portsmouth v Crystal Palace
Scunthorpe v Sheff Wed
Southampton v Bolton
Stoke v Shrewsbury
Sunderland v Colchester
Tranmere v Swansea
Watford v Notts County
West Ham v Oxford Utd
Wolverhampton v Southend
Blackburn v Norwich
Reading v Northampton
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