Back in August at Coca-Cola Championship side Blackpool the Spaniard put out an under-strength team who found themselves 3-0 down inside 33 minutes.

They never recovered and eventually lost 4-1, but that has not deterred Martinez from exercising his option to use the full depth of his squad.

"I wouldn't say it (the Carling Cup rotation) backfired. It was a painful way to see where we were and what we had," said the Latics boss.

"The competition we have in the squad is something you need to see on the pitch and when you can do that without costing you any points that is always a perfect way to do it.

"We don't want to be out of any cup, we want to win every single round that we play in but we need to look at the bigger picture."

The bigger picture for Martinez is Premier League survival in his maiden season as a top-flight manager.

After a 5-0 mauling at Old Trafford in midweek Martinez may be wise to take some of his players out of the firing line, although he maintains he has the utmost respect for the FA Cup.

"I played in the FA Cup when I came from Spain and it is a special competition - the best cup competition in world football," said the former Wigan player.

"You want to try to go as far as you can but the priority for us is to achieve our aims in the league and that is quite clear.

"We want to go as far as we can but we want to make sure we use everyone in the squad - especially as the third round of the FA Cup is in the middle of a busy period.

"For a few players who have been working really hard all season and using these months to get into the tempo of the Premier League then these games are ideal.

"We need to make sure we are gaining players that are pushing for a start in the league and it is important to use this competition to do that as well."

Martinez is not fazed by having to face another Premier League side in the competition and is just happy to have a home draw.

But he believes both teams will adapt to the demands of a cup tie.

"Any opposition in the FA Cup can be tough for different reasons but if you can get a home draw that is all you can ask for," he said.

"If you can play at home you can dictate a little more, you can control what you want to do with the game.

"If I'm honest it will be great to play against another Premier League club - we will have a clear idea in terms of standards of certain players.

"The games are normally a little bit more open. You can play in the league and have a more composed attitude and a slower approach but in a cup game you want to win from the first minute.

"Even when you play against a Premier League side the structure of the game is completely different and it makes it that little bit more exciting.

"We need to be competitive on the day and do everything we can to get through."