Fan's Eye View: Wigan

George Chilvers,Editor
Wednesday 10 August 2005 00:00 BST
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Your team's best performance last season? Beating Leeds 2-0 at Elland Road. We had gained some confidence going into the game as leaders, but still, going to such a ground and giving Leeds a pasting was highly entertaining. The team just gelled that day.

And the worst? Losing 2-0 to Plymouth at home the week after going to Leeds. We were flying high and were played off the park by a very well organised Argyle team.

Who was your team's best player last season? Jason Roberts - not only scored vital goals but created a good number. His partnership with Nathan "The Duke" Ellington is becoming legendary. His coolness as an ex- Baggie [West Brom player] scoring a penalty in front of the irate Wolves fans at Molineux was class.

And the most under-rated? Graham Kavanagh came to us in the latter part of the season, and provided the calm solidity we needed in midfield.

What was the most memorable moment from last season? Ellington's third goal against Reading. We were then sure we had got promoted. Mayhem! Everyone was leaping around hugging people you would normally steer clear of if you met them in the street.

And the funniest? At home to Sunderland. They scored in the opening minute so we had to chase the game and Gary Teale had a stinker. The more he tried the worse it got, and the crowd started to get at him. The final straw was when he had the ball in the corner, tried to take on a defender and tripped over his own feet and fell to ground. It had to be seen to be believed.

Best individual performance against you? Teddy Sherringham scored and played solidly when West Ham won at the JJB when we needed wins to provide the final push.

Best set of fans, besides your own? Sunderland. Passion and no arrogance, unlike others who questioned Wigan's "right" to be challenging for a Premiership place.

Best chant? "We come from Wigan and we live in mudhuts. Ooh! Aah! Ooh ooh aah! Ooh to be a Wiganer!"

Which of your young players has impressed you? Leighton Baines is a solid left-back, making the England Under-21 squad. He has potential. Scored a stormer from over 30 yards at Ipswich.

What would you consider to be a good season? Survival. And winning the FA Cup.

If you had to put £1m on where your team finishes, where would you say? Around 15th. Safe and happy.

Can you sum up manager Paul Jewell in three words?

Shrewd, sensible, cliché-ridden

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