Martinez's admiration for Sven

Martinez's admiration for Sven

Published Jan. 22, 2010 5:40 a.m. ET

Now director of football at Meadow Lane, Eriksson will be hoping the ambitious League Two side progress in the FA Cup at the expense of Martinez's Wigan. Martinez said: "It is refreshing to see someone like Sven committing himself to a very difficult project, which is trying to get a club through the divisions and into the Premiership. "Sven has the respect of everyone in world football for what he achieved with England and in Italy with Lazio. "He changed Lazio's mentality and made them winners. He has shown his adaptability by working in various leagues in the world." Notts lie eighth in the table, having lost just one home league game this season, and are aiming for promotion. Martinez knows his team face a test of character if a place in the fifth round is to be secured for only the second time in the club's history. He said: "Notts County have a talented squad and are too good for the level they are playing in. They have players who can turn a game. "It is an ambitious club and we will have to be on top of our game and know what to expect. "The magic of the FA Cup is all about upsets. It is a difficult role when you are expected to win but a great challenge." Martinez has first hand knowledge of what it feels like to be on the end of a shock result. Two seasons ago when he was Swansea manager they were knocked out by non-league Havant and Waterlooville. He admitted: "It was such an unpleasant experience. We played them first at home and had something like 25 attempts on target against their one and it somehow ended 1-1. "The essence of the FA Cup then came alive in the replay and we went out. Any away tie in the cup at a lower-division side is a great leveller." Wigan go into the match on the back of a vital victory at Wolves and Martinez intends to field a strong team. "I don't feel we can rest any players, " he said. "We don't have a first XI and the rest at this club. "It was a really good performance against Wolves and a victory that has given us a great platform. "The next six weeks are going to be a real challenge. We want to progress in the FA Cup as far as we can." Skipper Mario Melchiot is determined to play despite having a broken nose and will wear a protective mask. Paul Scharner could also retain his place in the team after suffering a swollen ankle and knee. New signing Steve Gohouri could come into contention after a run-out for the reserves in midweek. However, Hendry Thomas is sidelined through suspension.

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