Martinez felt Latics were starting to make encouraging progress before going down to a disappointing 2-0 loss at Fulham last weekend. That defeat ended a six-game unbeaten in all competitions and left Wigan 17th in the Barclays Premier League. Martinez is viewing the result as a glitch and expects his men to bounce back as they travel the short distance to Ewood Park to face the side immediately below them. The Spaniard said: "Now is a great moment to react. "It is a great opportunity to get rid of that feeling we were left with on Saturday and make sure we carry on with the good work we showed in October. "We have played a few derbies now. Even in the Carling Cup when we played Preston, you could feel the excitement in the fans. "It is something that comes through to the players and you can feel that building up to the game. "Ewood Park is a really tough place to go, they have found a way that is very effective. "They are on the back of a really good performance against Chelsea when they didn't get any rewards. "We are coming on the back of a disappointing performance after doing well for six weeks. "There are many ingredients to make it a really tough game but it would mean so much to perform well and get the points." Blackburn have just nine points from 10 games, one less than Wigan, and have lost three out of their last four. Given the standing of both clubs, the encounter may not seem one for the purists but Martinez is convinced it will make for intriguing viewing. The Latics boss was impressed with Rovers' display in defeat to Chelsea and wants his own team to get back to their eye-pleasing style. He said: "Slowly we have been seeing in many areas that we have improved a lot. We are going in the right direction. "Obviously the performance on Saturday was a little blip but there are a few reasons why it happened. "Now we are ready to perform against a very tough team. "I'm really pleased with the attitude of the squad and the way we are gelling. It is just a matter of time before we get the full rewards. "This is a really important game for us. "Blackburn's performance against Chelsea was a very good performance, very positive. "They had two or three key moments in the game that it would have helped them to win the game. "They are full of experience and have a very clear way to be effective. It will be a really tough, physical battle. "It is a good moment for us to look forward to what is going to be a very exciting derby." Martinez must decide whether the game is one for highly-rated youngster Tom Cleverley, who is on a season-long loan from Manchester United, in midfield. The 20-year-old made his full debut at Craven Cottage having made three previous substitute appearances. Martinez said: "It is really exciting to see a player like Tom with the potential he has got. "Already he has a real understanding of the game, real quality. "I thought he brought a lot to us at Fulham. He was one of the positive notes. "He will carry on developing, carry on getting stronger and better. "He is going to bring a lot to Wigan Athletic over the next few months." Martinez will also consider giving striker Mauro Boselli an opportunity. The Argentinian has struggled to make an impression since his £6million summer move from Estudiantes but showed his ability with a Carling Cup goal against Swansea 10 days ago. "Mauro has been working really hard," Martinez said. "I think we have got a real diamond in our squad. "He is where I expected him to be and slowly he is going to have a massive impact in our team." Wigan are again without defender Emmerson Boyce, who is likely to be sidelined for another 10 days with a hamstring injury. Midfielder James McCarthy is now beginning a rehabilitation expected to last around three months after undergoing ankle surgery this week.
