Rodallega dismay at form slump

Wigan Athletic striker Hugo Rodallega admits he is currently going through the worst form slump of his career.

But the Colombian says his only focus is on getting back into Roberto Martinez’s first team despite speculation linking him with a move away from the club.

Rodallega has improved his reputation during his two-year stay at the DW Stadium, making over 100 appearances and proving to be an integral part of their continued survival in the Premier League.

This season has not gone to plan for Rodallega, though, with injury and poor form restricting him to just 13 appearances – the last start back on November 6 – and still no goals.

In September, the player claimed clubs such as Arsenal, Everton, Villarreal and Sevilla were all tracking him, but despite his contract expiring at the end of the season, he insists no transfer is currently close to taking place.

Rodallega told Goal.com: “There has been a lot of talking about my future. Every day there is a new rumour and a different team – both here and abroad – mentioned, but nobody from Wigan has told me that I will be transferred in the January market.”

“I have never suffered a goal drought like this season. This is a nightmare for me – I just honestly do not believe it.”

“It has been nearly six months without a goal in a competitive match, and this is very hard for a striker like me to take.”

“I understand that a coach changes the strikers if they do not get the goals, but I’m in the mood to play and if I get a chance, I will go out to take advantage of it as it was a one-off cup final match.”

“I am the one who is really upset by this, but if I do not play now, it will be even harder to recover.”

Rodallega played down reports which claimed he had been involved in a bust-up with manager Martinez, leading to his absence from the starting lineup.

“I work every day with the illusion of playing and scoring goals because that has always been my job,” he said.

“People are giving me encouragement because they know that I’m having a hard time and I have always given everything for Wigan since I have been here.

“I have no problem with Roberto Martinez – he is the coach and he is in charge. I fulfil his orders. If he decides that I have to play, I will play and if he says that it is the bench, there I will be, waiting for my chance.

“I’m a striker and I have always scored goals. I have not forgotten this and I know that this bad streak can end at any time.”

Discussing Wigan’s battle with relegation this season, Rodallega believes his side are capable of beating the drop and are currently in a false position in the Premier League standings.

He added: “Wigan are not amongst the worst teams in the Premier League, even though the results have placed us in the relegation zone.”

“We have played better than others teams that are above us in the table but the lack of goals is killing us. In the next two games there is a lot at stake.”

“The game at Old Trafford was a mission impossible for us, but if we add at least four points in the two next games, it would be a great injection of morale for the team.”

“We know it will not be easy, but the Wigan players are convinced that we will move forward. Last season it was even more complicated and we did it on the last day – there are still many games left to play.”

Wigan face Stoke City and Sunderland in their next two games, having just come through a tough run of fixtures against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.