Second and third divisions: Jewell warns Wigan against promotion complacency
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Your support makes all the difference.The Wigan manager, Paul Jewell, has seen too many football dreams turn to dust to be complacent about anything and has nervously urged his players to keep their minds in focus, even though his side's promotion to the First Division seems inevitable.
"Other people might say we are as good as up but I've told my players to ignore the talk and stay concentrated on the job in hand," Jewell said.
The Latics face Luton Town at the JJB Stadium today with a 15-point lead over second-placed Crewe after losing just once in their last 30 games. The remaining 10 games should be a cakewalk for Jewell's players – but defender Matt Jackson has reassured his boss that there will be no easing of the throttle.
"We haven't got the sort of lads who would get carried away," Jackson said. "The focus has remained. Now we have to see the job through."
Hartlepool lead the Third Division by 10 points with a five-point cushion protecting Rushden's hold on second place but the race for the third automatic promotion place and the play-off berths is wide open, with five points covering third to 11th.
The picture is unlikely to be clarified much today with Torquay (9th) at home to Scunthorpe (4th), York (10th) facing Bournemouth (3rd) and Lincoln (5th) taking on Wrexham (6th).
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