Whelan, who missed the mauling at White Hart Lane, has hit out at the former Wigan boss.
Whelan said: “Roberto is Wigan’s manager and I have complete faith in him and I know the supporters have. He has got a difficult time, he inherited a team that was a little bit weak on reserves when Steve left.
“Steve actually had a few dodgy signings just before he left Wigan and he has inherited those dodgy signings so I can’t blame Roberto one iota.
“I am absolutely 100 per cent behind Roberto, he’s a great manager and he will pull this team around. We have got two home games next – Sunderland, then Birmingham, and we want six points and that’s the only thing we want.
“A win next Saturday will lift everything, lift our supporters, and will lift Roberto. Believe me, Wigan Athletic are not dead in the water.”
