Green goes

Last updated : 14 February 2003 By Paul Farrington
He becomes the fourth player to leave Latics in the past fortnight, following in the stud marks of Dave Beasant, Ged Brannan and Lee Ashcroft.

His contract, which would have been up in the summer, was terminated by mutual consent last night, and he now becomes a free agent.

Scott Green
Green, 32, was Latics' longest serving player having been signed from Bolton by John Deehan in the summer of 1997.

He started this season as a regular in the first team, but has been stuck on 199 league games since his last Second Division outing at Oldham before Christmas.
His last appearance was the FA Cup defeat against Stoke at the beginning of January.

Green is already interesting a club in the region and could sign later today.

Manager Paul Jewell has now pruned his squad down to 17 senior professionals, leaving room for new signings should Latics be hit by injuries or suspensions.

Meanwhile, Jewell has turned up the heat on promotion rivals Crewe ahead of tomorrow's meeting by insisting: The pressure is on you!

The top two lock horns at Gresty Road with Latics holding a nine point advantage going into the clash.

Victory for the league leaders would enhance their lead at the summit, hence Jewell's assertion that Dario Gradi's side will see the fixture as a must-win game.

He said: "It is a big one, but I would think it is a bigger game for Crewe because they are the ones chasing us.

"We are in the box seat with more points and we'll be approaching the game exactly the same as any other.

"Sometimes there is the risk of over-hyping a game, and that is something we aren't doing."

But Jewell knows his side face a stern test tomorrow.

He said: "I rate them highly, and on their day they are the best footballing side in the division.

"Most of their players have played in the First Division for quite a number of years and everyone knows Dario's philosophy on football.

"He likes his side to pass and move, and they've got a bit of strength, power and pace added to that.

"Their home record is good, and while they conceded three in their last home game against Northampton, the goals against column is very good."

Jewell is hopeful of being able to take a near fully-fit squad to Cheshire, with Jason Jarrett the only doubt.

The midfielder, who has been on the bench for the past month, missed training yesterday because of illness.

Jason de Vos and Peter Kennedy were due back at the club this morning after being away on international duty.

De Vos played in Canada's 4-2 win over Libya in Tripoli, a game which saw Al-Saadi Gadaffi – son of Libyan leader Colonel Gadaffi – play in midfield.

Left-back Kennedy was closer to home, featuring in Northern Ireland's 1-0 defeat to Finland at Windsor Park.

Jewell said: "They obviously weren't back in time for training yesterday after playing on Wednesday night.

"But they're due in this morning and I haven't heard that de Vos is being held hostage or anything like that!"

Latics travel to Gresty Road having won one of their last four games, the last two of which have ended in home draws against Cheltenham and Blackpool.

The manager, though, is not worried with his side's form and is pleased with the points they have on the board.

He said: "Some people seem to think we should have 94 points on the board by now, never mind what we have got.

"We have lost less games than Arsenal have and I get annoyed when there is talk of a little bit of a wobble.

"You can't win every game, that is a fact of life, and anyone who thinks differently is not living in the real world.

"Our total of 70 points after 31 games is a good total but there is a lot of football to be played yet.

"I think 90 points got the championship last year and 88 got second place.
"Whether that will be enough this time is another matter."

As expected, goalkeeper John Filan was larger than life at the training ground following Australia's shock 3-1 win over England.

"I've had a couple of words with the people here, mainly the coaching staff," he said.

"Thinking about it, I will be having a word for a few weeks yet!"

Article from the Wigan Evening Post.