Paper Talk: Back ache

Last updated : 14 September 2004 By Wigan Evening Post.
Latics were pegged back by a stoppage time equaliser at Molineux with substitute Colin Cameron's 91st minute strike levelling the scores at 3-3.

They had looked on course for victory when Jason Roberts netted with a penalty 15 minutes from time.

But after appearing to have withstood late pressure, a moment's hesitation allowed Cameron to drift through unattended to score.

Jewell felt Latics – who lost top spot yesterday to Ipswich after Joe Royle's men beat Millwall 2-0 – had been well worth three points.

He said: "I'm upset and angry about it as we defended poorly for both their second and third goals.

"We were the better team, created a lot of chances and looked like scoring every time we went forward.

"But we didn't defend at vital times and that really disappointed me.

"It must have been a decent game for the neutrals to watch and a good advert for the division, but that means nothing to me because we only got a point.

"Whatever is said in the dressing room stays in there, but I made my point to one or two in there.

"We can't dominate a game for 90 minutes and Wolves were always going to attack us because they were the home side.

"They pushed us back and pushed us back, we didn't deal with that well enough, and our defending wasn't up to our usual standard.

"We had come back well after conceding the first goal and suddenly we were 2-1 in the lead.

"Wolves then missed the penalty and I thought it might be our day.

"But they got back in it with a terrible goal from our point of view – the last thing I'd told them at half-time was to make sure we stopped crosses getting into the box.

"We went back in front with the penalty, they threw four forwards up, and it was up to us to defend.

"Three goals away from home should be enough to win a game, so should three at home, so that's why I was disappointed.

"On the face of it, a point away at Wolves is a good result and it might be a good point come the end of the season.

Winners

"But we want to be winners and win as many games as we can."

Jewell had no complaints with his side's forward play, Matt Jackson and Nathan Ellington netting prior to Roberts' penalty.

Ellington's goal was a rocket from outside the box.

Jewell said: "The Duke was outstanding. Some of the things he does are different class.

"He scored a smashing goal which he's more than capable of – he has got dynamite in his boots. He and Roberts are going to be a handful, but the key to us is our hard work and endeavour."

Jewell reported a clean bill of health ahead of tomorrow's home game with Burnley (kick-off 8pm) after the squad trained yesterday.