Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has conceded that Jason Scotland is short of confidence.
Wigan boss hopes striker can rediscover form
Roberto Martinez has conceded that Jason Scotland is short of confidence after his barren run continued against Everton.
The striker was one of the stars of the Championship under Martinez at Swansea last season but he has struggled since joining Wigan.
He has yet to open his Premier League account and squandered several opportunities in the 1-0 defeat to Everton on Saturday.
Martinez admits that he is concerned by the form of Scotland, who has been linked with a loan move to Barnsley, but is backing him to come good.
"He is a goalscorer and that is in his nature," said the Latics manager.
"So when he gets into those situations and he's not himself, we need to make sure we change that feeling.
"But Jason is a strong character and he has been working really hard. All we need is to turn that corner quickly, and I'm sure the moment that he scores that first Premier League goal he will go into a run.
"It is important that in our play, we help Jason to get into those positions as many times as we can."
Positive
Wigan's loss at home to Everton kept them just two points above the relegation zone but Martinez felt his side were unlucky not to claim at least a point.
"It's a tough blow to take but we need to see through the result," Martinez said after Tim Cahill headed home the only goal of the game six minutes from time.
"I think the performance in many, many aspects was very positive.
"I think we created a few clear opportunities one on one with the keeper where we have the talent to do better.
"But when you don't score goals, you need to be solid enough to get something out of the game and to concede a corner (for the goal), it was a tough way to finish the game."
