Dindane drowns Wigan
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez insisted the club's off-the-field problems had no bearing on their 4-0 Barclays Premier League drubbing by bottom club Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Martinez found himself in hot water over alleged comments that the Football Association were scared of punishing Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Wigan boss denied making the remarks during an interview in Spain and later phoned Ferguson to clear the air.
But that was followed by Marlon King's 18-month prison sentence for sexual assault and actual bodily harm. King has now been sacked by the club but Martinez was not looking for excuses.
"We did not have any intensity or any clarity in our play on the ball," said Martinez.
"We were very poor in everything we did on the ball. When you do that it is difficult, especially away from home.
"We could not find the right pattern in possession. Portsmouth scored at the right times and deserved to win.
"What happened in the week was not a distraction. Obviously you don't want these sort of events away from the pitch.
"We had too many this week with one of the players getting sentenced and all the paper talk. But that is not an excuse, we had enough time to prepare for the game.
"We knew the start of the game was going to be pivotal. My own situation is something I never like to get involved in. I have spoken enough about it.
"Sometimes you cannot avoid those situations, but again that is not an excuse. Today on the ball, we let ourselves down.
"You are disappointed because we work very hard to set standards at the football club and today we didn't set them.
"Everyone in the dressing room is disappointed but we let ourselves down and we were punished."
Portsmouth boss Paul Hart was delighted with the performance of his side as they scored four goals for the second time in as many games.
They may still be at the foot of the Barclays Premier League table but the goalscoring instincts of hat-trick hero Aruna Dindane could well help them to survive in the top flight.
Dindane scored a treble and Frederic Piquionne also got on the scoresheet in a one-sided contest.
"I thought we thoroughly deserved the win," said Hart. "It was refreshing to get something from the work we have put in.
"Dindane's performances have been just as good but today he got the goals.
"He was desperate to score - all strikers are. He's questioned himself but we have stood by him.
"All my strikers have worked hard but Aruna is very hard on himself.
"He is very strong and he causes problems for defenders and the goals are the icing on the cake for him. Fred also took his goal very well."
Piquionne added the second on the stroke of half-time but then had to be stretchered off in the second half with a neck injury.
But Hart added: "He took a knock on the back of the neck but he is fine."
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