Jewell wants more Heskey heroics
against United
Tuesday, December 26, 2006, 01:21:05 HRS
Wigan's former England striker Emile Heskey(L), seen here with an
unidentified teammate during a match on 23 December 2006, having
almost upset reigning champions Chelsea, has the opportunity to
attempt a similar feat against the reigning champions' title rivals
Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. - AFP
Wigan's former England striker Emile Heskey, having almost upset
reigning champions Chelsea, has the opportunity to attempt a
similar feat against the reigning champions' title rivals
Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
Heskey scored twice in an heroic Wigan performance that eventually
saw them lose 3-2 to Jose Mourinho's side thanks to Arjen Robben's
last-minute winner.
United will present an even more formidable challenge for a Wigan
team without strikers Henri Camara, whose knee injury will sideline
him for six weeks, and Lee McCulloch, suspended for punching
Sheffield United's Chris Morgan in the face last week.
But, even with such problems, Wigan manager Paul Jewell is
optimistic Heskey can cause Premiership leaders United the same
problems he created for Chelsea.
"Emile was excellent against Chelsea and I told him that we needed
him because he is a major player for us," he said.
"He has been good all season, but the thing that had been missing
are the goals. But he gave Chelsea a hard time.
"Emile does an awful lot of unselfish work and he can sometimes
take on a bit too much and be too much of a team player. He thinks
about the other players and the team too much and I would rather
him be more greedy and more selfish. That's what we have been
telling him this week.
"When we are having a good run, he is involved in most of the
things we do, whether it be a cross or a header or good
movement.
"I know he has his critics and people question his goals record,
but from a manager's point of view, he works his tail off. Let's
face it, if he got the goals he should get, he might not be here,"
added Jewell, whose side are 13th in the table.
"He can head it, he can shoot with either foot and he is quick and
strong. If he gets 10 goals a season, Camara gets ten and McCulloch
gets eight, we'll be OK."
While Jewell is focusing upon his problems in the forward
department ahead of Tuesday's clash, Manchester United manager Sir
Alex Ferguson has an embarrassment of riches from which to select
in that area.
Wayne Rooney was rested at Villa Park although he still saw action
as a second half substitute and the indications are that he will
return to the starting line-up against Wigan.
Ferguson, whose side are two points clear of Chelsea at the top,
has also moved swiftly to counter suggestions that England
midfielder Michael Carrick faces a lengthy spell out with an ankle
injury.
"Michael was back in light training on Friday and has a slight
problem with his ankle," said Ferguson. "He will be back for the
Reading game but reports that he's going to be out for a month are
rubbish."
The United veteran remains a firm fan of Wigan and their
highly-rated manager Jewell although Ferguson agreed with his
opposite number's recent assertion that managers are placed under
the spotlight excessively in the modern game.
"The thing about Wigan is you always seem to get common sense from
them," said Ferguson. "Whether it's (owner) David Whelan or Paul
Jewell, and they seem to work in tandem very well. He was talking
this morning about managers and how over-rated they are and that
they get too much credit.
"And he's absolutely 100 percent correct, it's players that win you
games," said the Scot. "We all contribute as managers, of course we
do but I think he's right. Paul's done a terrific job at Wigan but
I think more credit should be given to the players rather than the
managers. Apart from myself of course!"
