Jewell hits 200

Last updated : 13 December 2005 By Paul Farrington
Paul Jewell
During his time in charge of the Latics, Jewell has over seen two promotions and has turned the team into the most successful ever Wigan team.

Jewell was unsure that he would last so long in the hot seat. He confessed to doubts over his future after just ten games in the job.

He said: "To be perfectly honest, I didn't think I would last 200 games when I think back to the dark days of losing 5-1 to Wrexham in the LDV Vans Trophy and 1-0 to Canvey Island in the F.A. Cup.

"The whispers were out there and it was looking pretty bleak at one point. But the chairman stuck by me and I will always be greatful for that."

I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to Paul after expressing my initial doubts over his ability. Needless to say that over the past four years I have been proven well and truely wrong by PJ!

Congratulations Paul, here's to the next 200!

His attention however was focused on the United game tomorrow (Wendesday) night.

Jewell told the Wigan Observer: "I'll be a proud man to be going to Old Trafford with my team.

"United are the biggest club in the land at the moment. Chelsea have the mantle of being Chmapions, but Old Trafford is still Old Trafford.

"There is something about the place. It is a brilliant stage to play at and a brilliant place for the punters to go.

"Sir Alex Ferguson has been the best manager in this country for the last whatever number of years. He's been there, seen it, done it.

"They (United) will get it right, they have too many good players not too. Being knocked out of Europe is a major blow to them, but they are still a major force."

The Latics boss is pleased to be approaching the end of the gauntlet after difficult games against Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Jewell added: "This is the end of the tough run which everyone has been talking about. All the games are tough in this league, but these five have been one hell of a tough fixture list for us.

"But as I keep saying, it is over the whole season we will be judged, not just these fives games.

"One of the things we have learned is that we can't keep making basic errors, you get punished at this level. Against Arsenal we made a mistake, against Spurs we did and at Liverpool the first goal was a mistake.

"On Saturday at Chelsea it was a bit of a mistake for their goal too. But in these last four matches, it is only Liverpool where we have been easily beaten.

"We pushed Arsenal and were beaten by just one goal, we pushed Tottenham all the way without being at our best, and then we pushed Chelsea all the way.

"It was them (Chelsea) kicking the ball into the stand with a couple of minutes to go."

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