Norwich City's bravery is the quality which will keep them in the Premier League – according to Wigan boss Roberto Martinez.

The Spaniard's side were full value for a point in Sunday's televised top flight encounter at Carrow Road which kept the Latics' mired in relegation trouble. Martinez revealed he is a huge admirer of City's ability to cross the Football League divide.

'The big thing about Norwich is they are unpredictable,' he said. 'They are a footballing side who can play their way out of the back. But they also have other physical players. They use that. It allows them to get into the last third and score by different methods.

'It gives them flexibility in how they approach games and means they can work in different formations. The hardest thing for any team in this league is to score goals. They have prolific scorers. Norwich have been really impressive. They have grown into the league and shown great belief. They have a freedom and bravery and willingness to create chances. It doesn't surprise me how well they have done. The old feelings of inferiority from teams who got promoted, that need to keep clean sheets and try to win games by being defensive, has gone.'

Grant Holt and Steve Morison have plundered 18 Premier League goals, in contrast to Wigan's wastefulness which was evident again at Carrow Road. Martinez, however, remains convinced the likes of Hugo Rodallega can fire the Latics to safety.

'Holt and Morison have been getting a lot of points for Norwich,' he said. 'Unfortunately for Hugo that's been his kind of season, up and down, hitting the post rather than going in. Once he gets a goal he'll go into a different level, but his work-rate was a joy to watch. If we could get a goal from a less number of chances we would have a better number of points, but I feel like we can complete against anyone in the league. The belief is always there. From the outside the first team to go down is always Wigan Athletic. That's never affected us. You learn to live with that.'

Martinez knows Wigan's Premier League prospects hinge on finding that ruthless streak after failing to convert their weight of possession against the Canaries.

'We grew into the game very well,' he said. 'In the first 10 to 15 minutes we couldn't cope tactically then, when we gave the early goal, I felt we were really strong, we kept the ball well, we created more corners than the home side, but clearly it was a good performance - but only one point - and that's what we have to rectify from now until the end.'