Wigan's Premier success holds key to Swansea boost

By gvincent

THOSE Swansea City fans unwilling to forgive Roberto Martinez may have revelled in Wigan Athletic's 9-1 annihilation at Tottenham Hotspur.

And yet the supporters he left behind ought to be cheering on their old boss, for Martinez's success in the Premier League could mean in excess of £1 million to his former club.

Wigan currently lie five points clear of the top-flight relegation zone after they responded to humiliation at White Hart Lane by beating Sunderland 1-0 last weekend.

It was a result that brought delight to the DW Stadium given the week Wigan had endured after Spurs.

And it was one that did not go down too badly in the Liberty boardroom either.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins tried everything to convince Martinez not to leave last summer and was bitterly disappointed when the Spaniard eventually went.

The fact that he took the likes of Graeme Jones, Kevin Reeves and Richie Evans with him to Wigan also hurt Swansea.

But Jenkins insists there is no bitterness in these parts about the path Martinez chose to follow.

And he concedes that whatever supporters might think, it would be good for Swansea should Wigan do well this season.

"We don't spend our time looking over our shoulders," said Jenkins.

"We have got no wish for Wigan Athletic or anyone else to lose games.

"Our only concern is Swansea City and, as far as Wigan are concerned, let's just say we were quite happy to see them winning last weekend."

Jenkins would not go into detail, but it is thought Wigan's form this term will impact on two deals they did with Swansea during the close season.

First there was the compensation package Dave Whelan eventually agreed with Jenkins for Martinez, then came the initial £2 million transfer of Jason Scotland.

Between the two of them, they could earn Swansea a seven- figure bonus by staying in the Premier League.

"We have got an interest in how Wigan do this season," added Jenkins.

"We have got something riding on them staying up."

So are Swansea City's owners closet Wigan fans for the season?

"You might say that," Jenkins admitted.

Gareth Vincent