Jewell on United

Paul Jewell: Up for the Cup

Going into the club's first major Cup Final ever, Jewell fully understands how difficult it will be to overcome a good United side who have nothing but this final to play for. He said: "Maybe we might have been better off facing a United team still in the FA Cup and Champions League.

"But then they showed what this game means to them anyway when they cancelled their trip to the Middle East.

"I think the players probably thought 'hang on a minute', showing you the steely determination Manchester United have. If anyone thinks they are not taking it seriously they will have to think again."

"If anyone thinks they are not taking it seriously they will have to think again. We didn't learn a lot from the Old Trafford game.

"Obviously, Manchester United showed they can tear you apart and that on their day they are fantastic. But we went there at the end of a really tough run of games that included away defeats at Chelsea and Liverpool.

"I also rotated the squad and it wasn't the strongest starting line-up, but come Sunday - if everyone is fit - it will be a different team."

Meanwhile Jewell has a bad experience from playing in Cup Finals. Despite the Latics winning 3-1 in the Freight Rover Trophy, Jewell only managed 10 minutes at the end.

He added: "In life you have to take good out of everything. The only good from my time then is that I will know how the players will be feeling when I tell them they are either on the bench or not playing.

"It's not something I am looking forward to, but it's what I have to do because I am responsible for the team."

Henri Camara: Starting place?

With regard to team selection, the Jeweller won't be leavign it until the last minute and is prepared to be ruthless for the good of the cause. He continued: "I don't want to leave it until we get to the stadium. The most important thing is giving the lads who might not play or be in the squad, time to get over their disappointment.

"I expect that. I know what it's like. You feel it's the end of the world, but the group need to be focused.

"I need the people who are not playing to be there to encourage everyone. It's a group effort.

"But once I tell people that will be the end of it. The most important people after that are the lads who are going to play."

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If your going to the game, don't forget to take your camera! Send your photo's into wiganer.net on your return and we'll add them to a special Carling Cup gallery. Here's to yet another fantastic day in Wigan Athletic history.