Jewell Looking to Build

Last updated : 07 March 2006 By Liam Cooper
However it would be easy to assume Wigan's debut campaign in the premiership is effectively over with the team hitting their season-long target of 40 points, and after reaching the Carling Cup final.

There's also the fear the 4-0 mauling to Manchester United at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium will have an adverse effect, and the club will now slide into mid-table obscurity.

Jewell: Looking to build on a great first season in the Premiership
But Jewell, who rejected reports linking him with the vacant Newcastle job, is determined such a fall from grace does not transpire, and that the club build for next season and beyond, and become a Premiership club to be respected, not just a novelty act.

"I'm very, very happy here and with the progress the club has made and is making, but i want to continue to make progress next season," insists Jewell, adding: "I don't want us to be one-season wonders either, but we have to be careful not to go too far and say we want to challenge for a place in the Champions league, only to then have a poor season."

"We have made giant strides in the last few years, but for me that is not enough. I want to make sure the stadium is full every week, i want better players and better facilities, so the job is only half done."

On Monday, Jewell and his players must pick themselves up and go again, except United stand in their way, this time at the JJB Stadium

But as he canilly remarks: "For us to paly them in a final, and then at home in a league game, is testament to how far little old Wigan have come. Manchester Unitded opened the JJB Stadium in 1999,at a time when the club was in the old second division."

"The supporters probably thought then that would be the only time they would see United play here, except maybe in a cup match, but not in the league on equal terms."

Other than obvious pride, there remains a lot at stake for Wigan, not least the small matter of £500,000 for every pace higher up the table they finish, and Wigan still have a shot at a UEFA Cup spot.

On Wigan's chances of reaching the UEFA Cup, he said: "It's realistic, but whether we can do it or not is another matter," Jewell said: "The UEFA Cup would be lovely and something toaim for, but we just have to make sure we don't start sliding down the table."