The Latics' thrashing at White Hart Lane was the second worst defeat in Premier League history, topped only by the 9-0 hammering suffered by Ipswich against Manchester United in March 1995.

Sheffield Wednesday lost 8-0 at Newcastle in September 1999 and Manchester City were hammered 8-1 by Middlesbrough on the final day of the 2007-08 season.

City's debacle came amid an air of uncertainty off the pitch as speculation mounted, ultimately correctly, that the game at the Riverside Stadium would be Sven-Goran Eriksson's last as manager.

By that point they had amassed 55 points and were comfortable in mid-table, but Richard Dunne's early dismissal contributed to a desperately bad day at the office.

However, the other victims of the Premier League's most comprehensive beatings did not subsequently fare so well.

Ipswich were already in deep trouble by the time they made their fateful trip to Old Trafford, but their shattered confidence suffered further after Andy Cole became the first man since the new division was established to score five goals in a single game.

The defeat was one of eight in succession and Ipswich managed just four points from a possible 33 afterwards as they finished bottom with just 27 points.

While Ipswich had little time to effect a recovery, Wednesday's nightmare at St James' Park came with the 1999-2000 season just weeks old.

Manager Danny Wilson and his players headed for Tyneside with the Owls and the Magpies occupying the bottom two places in the league.

Both clubs had managed to claim just a single point, which had proved fatal for Newcastle boss Ruud Gullit.

The Dutchman fell on his sword in the wake of a 2-1 home defeat to Sunderland, for which he left Alan Shearer on the bench, and Bobby Robson took over.

Robson oversaw a 1-0 league defeat at Chelsea and a 2-0 UEFA Cup win at CSKA Sofia before sending his team out for the first time at St James' with Shearer restored to the starting line-up.

Ninety minutes later, Wilson and his shell-shocked players had seen the England striker plunder five of his team's eight goals to spark a drive up the table which eventually saw Newcastle finish 11th.

In contrast, Wednesday found themselves engaged in a struggle for survival - despite bouncing back with a 5-1 win over Wimbledon a fortnight later - which ended when they were relegated in 19th place with 31 points.

Martinez will hope for better fortunes as he attempts to prevent his side from slipping into a tailspin.

Wigan have conceded goals all season. Manchester United registered five at the DW Stadium in August while Arsenal and Portsmouth have both scored four times against them.

However, they have also recorded a series of fine victories - most notably their 3-1 home win over Chelsea on September 26 - to give their manager hope that they can bounce back.

Their first opportunity will come on Saturday at home to Sunderland, currently flying high under their former boss Steve Bruce, with Birmingham then heading for the north west in what could be two crucial fixtures for Martinez.