Charlton Reaction: Jewell confused by penalty decision

Last updated : 01 April 2007 By Paul Farrington
Paul Jewell dismyed after the final whistle as another decision goes against the Latics
Paul Jewell


"There were two very nervous teams, and one goal was always going to be vital and I thought we had the better of the play although there was not a lot of quality but the way we lost is doubly disappointing. We dominated the first half, although there was not a lot of quality.

"I don't why it was given, you'd better ask [referee] Peter Walton instead. If that was a penalty, then from what I've seen there should be fifty of them every game. He did say afterwards that it was not given against Fitz Hall, so who it was given against I do not know!

"Whatever the result was today we would have still been in a dogfight, but I would still be in our position than Charlton's right now. But I am disappointed not get something out of the game because I thought we deserved a draw. There was not getting away from the fact it was an average game, and a lot of tension.

"We need to be more clinical in the final third, but I'm very confident we will get out of the position we are in right now."

Alan Pardew

"Our destiny is now in our hands, with us still to play Sheffield United to play at home, and we'll take that with seven games to go. I really felt that this was the most important game to really bring the other teams into it. Now we go into the Easter programme with all the teams above us feeling nervous - that could go up as high as Middlesbrough even.

Alan Pardew shows off his wrinkly elbows yesterday
"With West Ham winning as well it's brought some real life to the fight at the bottom when before it looked as if it was dead and buried. We've got something going at the stadium at the minute and I don't think you'd find a better atmosphere anywhere else in the country.

"The fans were fantastic for us today. It wasn't a cast-iron penalty, he was certainly facing goal looking to get a shot off, but there was a big shout from the crowd and the players all appealed. We did well for 60 per cent of the match. We were organised and disciplined and that probably won us the game because we didn't play well.

"Wigan were aggressive and committed and they didn't let us get the ball down and play. But we hung on in there, something we couldn't do two months ago, and our spirit cannot be denied. There is a good feeling not just in dressing room but in the stands as well and that carried us through today."