The Latics are struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table after having lost their last seven league games.
“Roberto’s position is never, ever in question. We stay together,” insisted Whelan. “I respect him, and I know I’m going to get 110 per cent from Roberto every time the team takes the field.
“Things are going against us but we have to keep battling on.
“My spirits are never down. We may be at the foot of the table right now, but we won’t be at the end of the season.
“We can get out of this mess together. We’re not fools, we can look at the table and we really have to rally round and do what we do best.”
