Wigan Athletic skipper Gary Caldwell has issued a rallying cry to the struggling Latics ahead of Sunday's Premier League test at Norwich City.

Wigan's revival after an unbeaten February came to an abrupt halt with a weekend 2-0 home defeat to Swansea that left Roberto Martinez's men rooted to the bottom of the table.

The Lancashire club only survived on the final day of last season – but Caldwell insists that gives the visitors' a firm belief that they can scramble clear again on the eve of battle at Carrow Road.

'We went through similar experiences last season and came out victorious at the end, so we have to draw on those memories again this time round,' he said.

'Our aim is to stay in the league and we believe we are strong enough to do that. There's going to be blows between now and the end of the season, it's all about how we react to the set-backs.

'We have to take it on the chin and it has to make us stronger as a group and as individuals. It has to give us the determination to improve and get better as the season comes to an end.

'We've done it in the past and I'm sure we can do it again.

'With results elsewhere in the Premier League going the way they did we're still not cut off at the bottom, so in a way we've dodged a bullet but we want to be controlling our own destiny and we'll be working hard to improve on what happened against Swansea.'

Caldwell refused to hide behind excuses for a below-par display at the DW Stadium after a number of Martinez's squad were away on international duty during the build-up.

'Perhaps the international break disrupted the momentum we had a little and it certainly wasn't ideal, but we're not accepting that as an excuse,' said Caldwell, who featured alongside City's Russell Martin in Scotland's 1-1 draw against Slovenia.

'Those of us who play international football have to deal with that demands and take responsibility for performing for both club and country and put a performance in.

'It'll help that we have a full week together in the build-up to Norwich, a game we'll be very determined to make amends in.'

Caldwell admitted Wigan's squad owe the Latics' supporters a big performance in Norfolk after the club's Swansea surrender.

'We let ourselves and the fans down, so many things went wrong and you to look at it in the cold hard light of day, we're bitterly disappointed with how the game went and things need to improve,' he said.

'Recent performances at the DW Stadium against Everton and Aston Villa had been promising and we looked as though we had a real belief about us and as though we were about to claim a second win of the season at home, but then that happens and it's difficult to put your finger on.

'If you have as many who have an off performance then you are going to struggle to win football matches.'