Jewell on our playoff hopes
Last updated : 05 May 2004 By Paul Farrington
Jewell knows his side can do it (with a little help from Cardiff)"We're sick as this is the first time in quite a while we've been outside the top six. It's not been the best of weekends but now we must dust ourselves off, try to beat West Ham and see what happens then. We have still got a chance and there might yet be another twist in the tale yet, who knows?
"Whatever happens we have come a long way in a short space of time, and even to be in with a chance of getting into the play-offs and challenging for the Premiership is a credit to the players.
"You can never question our effort but the final pass and final shot on goal wasn't as good as it should have been. It was a bit similar to last week against Sunderland. I thought we were the better side, had some great situations, but didn't make them pay.
"We haven't been good enough in the final third in the big games recently. Thinking back to Norwich, Sunderland and Saturday's game, we haven't really produced where it matters.
"Certainly against Sunderland and Forest we had the majority of the ball but haven't done enough with it. When you step up a level in this game, you have to grow up fast and be a lot more clinical in front of goal.
"It's better coming to Nottingham Forest and playing in front of more than 29,000 fans than it is playing in front of just 4,000 somewhere else. We're in this game to play in front of big crowds week in, week out, so we have to do better in these big games.
"Where we end up finishing in the league after 46 games is where we'll deserve to finish. If we miss out on the play-offs, it won't be because we have been unlucky, it's because we haven't been quite good enough.
"Gareth gave us a calmness and I was pleased because it was his first full game for us," said Jewell. "He didn't train with us on Friday because his wife had a baby, and he only joined up with us at the hotel late on Friday night."
Source: Wiganathletic.tv
---------------------------------------------
Talk about it on the messegeboard - click here.
Don't forget to vote in the Wiganer.net Player of the Year 2004 - click here.