Roberto Martinez Has Odds Slashed As Losing Streak Continues
by Sean Raymond / 31 October 2011, 16:20TweetWigan Athletic's manager Roberto Martinez has become the latest Premier League manager to come under-fire following his side's defeat at home to Fulham on Saturday. Wigan have now suffered eight consecutive defeats in all competitions as they slump down t0 bottom of the league with just five points from their opening 10 matches. This woeful run has meant that the bookmakers have slashed the Spaniard's odds in the Next Premier League Manager To Be Sacked betting market, with Paddy Power cutting them from 20/1 to just 4/1 as Martinez becomes one of the favourites for the chop.
Wigan have just a single win to their name this season, which came all the way back in August. They got off to a bright start, picking up five points from their first three games but a dismal run of seven straight league defeats has piled the pressure on Martinez and his squad. The 38-year-old was close to becoming the new manager of Aston Villa in the summer but instead, in a tremendous show of loyalty, agreed to extend his contract with The Latics. However, he may now be regretting that decision following Wigan's dreadful run of form, with the club now installed as the 4/9 favourites with Paddy Power to go down at the end of the season. Wigan have managed to stay in the Premier League since they first came up in 2005 but if their form does not improve soon then their six-year stay could be coming to an end.
At the moment Martinez has the support of his chairman, Dave Whelan, who publicly backed his under-fire manager after Saturday's defeat to Fulham, saying "His [Roberto's] position is never, ever in question". Wigan will attempt to end their horrendous losing streak away to Wolves on Sunday. Mick McCarthy is another manager who has found himself under pressure in recent weeks, with his side losing six of their last seven league games. Paddy Power have priced Wolves as the 10/11 favourites to come away with a valuable three points, with Wigan priced at 11/4. However, a draw looks like a likely result at 11/5.
All odds courtesy of Paddy Power.
