Bang out of order!

Last updated : 05 February 2003 By Paul Farrington
PJ
There was isolated booing from a handful of disgruntled fans at the end of the game.

And Jewell even found himself having to listen to criticism from people who live near him in Yorkshire!

While he was the first to admit it wasn't Latics' greatest display, the draw kept them 12 points clear at the top (11 after Crewe's 2-2 draw at Notts County last night) and well on course for automatic promotion.

Jewell said: "I've got a little bit annoyed with one or two people since the weekend.

"I don't know what some people want – isn't it terrible that we're 11 points clear at this stage of the season?

"We've lost once away at Swindon and drawn at home to Cheltenham in 23 matches.

"Some might call that a blip and there's likely to be others between now and the end of the season.

"I'm the players' biggest critic in the dressing room but if anyone else says anything about them, I don't like it – that is how I am.

"You have to realise we can't win every single game and perhaps the fans are getting a bit spoilt here.

"People turn up and expect us to roll teams over but that is not always going to happen.

"I keep harping back to how I asked the players for two points a game, and we're currently nine ahead of schedule.

"One or two people near where I live were saying we were struggling and I responded by biting their heads off – that's unlike me!"

Jewell's side are on home territory again on Saturday when Blackpool are the visitors.

He should have a fully fit squad to select from with Lee McCulloch back in the fold after the Scotsman sat out the Cheltenham game due to a ban.

And the manager is glad to have him available, admitting he was missed last weekend.

Jewell said: "I thought we missed Lee at set-pieces because we only had Matt Jackson and Jason de Vos who are decent in the air.

"We also looked a bit unbalanced without him, and he will certainly come back into consideration."

Latics reserves will make a second attempt to play Stoke's second string this afternoon after a motorway jam prevented them reaching Newcastle Town's ground on Monday.

Peter Kennedy has earned a recall to the Northern Ireland squad for the friendly international with Finland next Wednesday.

His last appearance for his country came against Cyprus last August when he picked up an Achilles injury which sidelined him for six weeks.

Jason de Vos will skipper Canada against Libya in Tripoli on the same night.

Article from Wigan Evening Post.