The Latics have lost six straight Premier League games, with their last points coming courtesy of a 2-0 victory over QPR back in August. Only Blackburn, who also have five points, sit beneath them but, unlike at Ewood Park, where fans have been staging protests to call for manager Steve Kean's sacking, Martinez has received nothing but support. The Spaniard turned down the chance to manage Aston Villa in the summer and his loyalty has been reflected in the attitude of chairman Dave Whelan and the Latics fans. Martinez said: "The chairman will never change, he's always so supportive because he's part of the whole thing. "The unique strength that we've got at our football club is that we cope with disappointment probably better than any other football club because we've got that family touch. "We've had an incredible football story. Seven seasons in what I consider the best league in world football is a real achievement and it's no coincidence. "We all have to work extremely hard and work together and you can breathe the support in the football club. "Saturday is a unique opportunity to feel our fans, to enjoy our football in front of them and hopefully we can repay them because their support has been fantastic." Wigan could certainly consider themselves unfortunate not to take anything away from Newcastle last week, going down to a late Yohan Cabaye goal after having the better of the game. The performance gave Martinez plenty of cause for optimism, and he has been further encouraged by the return from hamstring injuries this week of Franco Di Santo and James McCarthy, meaning he has a virtually full-strength squad to choose from on Saturday. "This has been the most competitive week because the options are there," said the Latics boss. "And when you get that competition you quickly forget about the past because you want to be as good as you can be because you want to play in the next game. "Competition for places is something we have achieved this season, I think we've got many good options in the forward positions, something that we didn't have before, and that's a real strength. "We're getting stronger and stronger and I feel we can bring a bit of stability into our play, and that helps, because you control the small margins. "But it's important we are focused on the next game. You can look back and sometimes you lose concentration. All we have to do is win the next game and make sure we give everything we have to achieve that." Fulham are only two places and two points above Wigan after beginning the season with a series of draws, but the one victory they have managed - 6-0 against QPR - has given Martinez plenty of food for thought. "Fulham are a very strong side," he added. "They've got a fantastic attacking force. "You look at the flair and the talent they showed against QPR, with the threat of (Moussa) Dembele, (Andrew) Johnson, (Bobby) Zamora and (Clint) Dempsey, and then the mature heads of (Danny) Murphy and (Brede) Hangeland. "Wherever you look there's real experience. We know it's going to be a close game and a difficult game, but we're playing at home, we're desperate to get a bit of momentum and we'll need to start on Saturday."
