Dave Whelan: I always believed in Roberto Martinez

Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has heaped praised upon manager Roberto Martinez after the club secured its eighth consecutive season in the Premier League.

The Latics had made a slow start to the season and spent many months in the relegation zone.

However, their form has improved dramatically in recent weeks and the 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers this evening was the club's sixth victory in eight games.

While many fans and pundits had dismissed their chances of staying up, Whelan maintains that he never doubted that the Spaniard would keep the Lancashire side in the top flight.

He told BBC Sport: "We had a tough start to the season but Roberto Martinez always believed and I believed in him.

"As the season has gone along we have played better and better and Roberto has proved he is a top-quality manager."

Whelan has said on numerous occasions that he expects Martinez to eventually leave Wigan to manage one of Europe's top clubs.