MX23RW : Monday, March 31 04:37:46| >> :120:32997:32997:

Roberto Martinez blasts "ridiculous" deadline day fixtures

Martinez blasts
© PA Photos
Roberto Martinez believes that last night's Premier League fixtures 'affected' Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega, who was the centre of a rumoured move to Tottenham.

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has hit out at the Premier League schedule, which organised five games to be played on the night of the final day of the January transfer window.

The Spanish boss was especially angered as Latics striker Hugo Rodallega was the centre of speculation linking the player with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, who Wigan lost 3-1 to last night.

Despite rumours, Rodallega, who was left out of the squad to face Spurs, did not complete a move away from the DW Stadium.

"From our point of view, I don't think it was a good idea," said Martinez. "It becomes a bit of a circus. One of my players was in the middle of that speculation and it's not the right way to approach one of the most important games for this football club.

"I don't think it's the right thing. You want to make it a really special moment of the season and there's nothing bigger than a football game.

"It's just ridiculous. It affects human beings. Hugo had a little bit of a soft tissue problem but it was a big day of speculation and that should never be bigger than the celebration of the game, which is playing football."

Wigan failed to bring in any players on deadline day after Watford defender Adrian Mariappa rejected the chance to move to the top flight club.

ID:15167: cacheID:15167:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2436:
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Hugo Rodallega
Read Next:
Team News: Rodallega benched for Wigan
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Birmingham CityBirmingham37268363253886
2Wrexham39238854302477
3Wycombe WanderersWycombe382111665362974
4Charlton AthleticCharlton392091053351869
5Stockport CountyStockport391911955361968
6Reading381711105547862
7Huddersfield TownHuddersfield381871352381461
8Bolton WanderersBolton38186146057360
9Leyton Orient381851554381659
10Blackpool391415105951857
11Barnsley39159155355-254
12Lincoln CityLincoln391311155346750
13Stevenage381310153539-449
14Mansfield TownMansfield38138174552-747
15Peterborough UnitedPeterborough38129175763-645
16Rotherham UnitedRotherham38129174249-745
17Exeter CityExeter38129174053-1345
18Wigan AthleticWigan371111153437-344
19Northampton TownNorthampton391013163857-1943
20Bristol Rovers39126214063-2342
21Burton Albion38812183955-1636
22Crawley TownCrawley3999214471-2736
23Cambridge UnitedCambridge39710223763-2631
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury3877243566-3128


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!