Paper Talk: Hammer 'em... but it isn't a revenge mission

Last updated : 01 April 2005 By Wigan Evening Post.
The Hammers famously denied Latics a crack at the play-offs last season when they grabbed a draw at the JJB Stadium on the final day of the campaign.

It's not a repeat of the shoot or bust scenario tomorrow but Jewell's side will be anxious not to drop three points this time as they chase their Premiership dream.

Jewell said: "Revenge is not a word in our vocabulary as far as West Ham are concerned and there is no bitterness towards them.

"We all remember what happened last May and you can't blame them for coming here and trying to get a result.

"You don't expect anyone to do you favours in football because that is not in the spirit of the game, and West Ham owed it to their fans and to football to compete well.

"It was just perverse that Crystal Palace ended up beating them in the play-off final, the very team who benefited from the draw here.

"I always remember Alan Pardew's words when he came up to me at the final whistle to shake my hand.

"He said: 'Sorry about that but we had to score a goal because I didn't fancy coming back here to face Jason Roberts and Nathan Ellington in the play-offs.'

"I'm sure they won't be relishing coming back here tomorrow as they will have to play against Roberts and Ellington this time.

"I think they will be more fearful of playing us than we are of them.

"What happened to us last season left a horrible feeling in football terms, it was devastating for the club. But this year we are hopefully stronger, better and more equipped for the home straight."

Tomorrow's clash marks the start of the final run-in, seven huge games which will shape Latics' season.

The players have had a fortnight to prepare due to the internationals over Easter and Jewell reported them to being champing at the bit to get out on the pitch again.

Jewell said: "Who knows how the break will have worked? But I think we might just have needed it.

"In this division you have to play 46 ultra-competitive games a season and you do need a break some times.

"We have tried to work on a few things and also given the lads a few days rest which is important at this stage.

"The training has been sharpened up as the week has gone on and we're all looking forward to the game.

"We are now playing for high stakes, the players want to the Premier League players and I want to be a Premier League manager.

"That opportunity is available to us and the beauty is that it is in our own hands – we aren't relying on anyone else at the moment."

Latics should be unchanged as Leighton Baines was able to train yesterday despite sitting out both England Under-21 games in the past week because of a knee injury.

Jewell said: "Leighton's knee is fine now and I'm glad in a way he didn't play for the Under-21s because it's given him a fortnight's break between matches.

"He trained with England but a decision was taken not to play him in the matches because his knee was a bit sore.

Family

"We also got Graham Kavanagh back yesterday and it was nice to be able to work with the whole squad again."

One player keen to do well tomorrow is Jimmy Bullard as the midfielder started his career at West Ham.

He was born and brought up in Newham, the London borough from where the Hammers draw most of their support, and that means space at his Orrell home will be a premium tonight.

Bullard said: "All my family are West Ham fans, aunties, uncles, cousins, mum and dad, everyone I can think of.

"Some of them are coming to stay tonight ahead of the game, and it's one I'm really looking forward to."