CAPTAIN'S ORDERS

Caldwell calls for focus during league run-in

Latics skipper Gary Caldwell was philosophical following Wednesday’s FA Cup defeat and now wants the side to focus their attention on the climax of the Barclays Premier League, starting with the visit of leaders Manchester United next week.
 The Scot was disappointed to exit the tournament at the fourth round stage but believes it now allows Latics to concentrate on the relegation battle: “Obviously it’s a blow as we wanted to go as far as we could in the cup,” he said, “ but we’ve got to take it on the chin, re-group and concentrate on eleven huge games for the football club.”
 “We’ve got a week off now and some good training where we can work hard as a group and get ready mentally and physically for the league leaders coming here, which will be a big test.
 “We’ve got to concentrate on our own job and, come the 22^nd May, we’ll hopefully have enough points to stay in this league.”

Caldwell played alongside his brother Steve at the heart of Latics’ defence against Bolton and the Scottish international  was impressed by his older sibling’s performance: “He played excellent, I thought he attacked the ball well and defended well,” he said, “ but it’s disappointing to lose. We didn’t pass as well as we can on a poor pitch. We didn’t play the conditions well and it cost us in the end.”

Suggestions that nine changes to the starting line-up had contributes to defeat were quickly rebuffed by Caldwell as he said: “The manager has done that all through the FA Cup and we’ve done really well. We played great at the Reebok with the same team so I don’t think that has got any bearing on the result or the performance.”
 The match also saw the defender sport a protective mask as he still recovers from the fractured cheekbone sustained against West Bromwich Albion earlier this month, and he said: “It’s something the doctor says I’ve got to wear because of the injury but hopefully I can get rid of it as soon as possible, but if it gets me on the park then I’ll wear it.
 “I wore it in training and it was ok but in games it does affect your peripheral vision slightly but like I said, if it gets me on the pitch to contribute then I’ll do anything I can for the team.”

Wednesday’s defeat now gives Latics a week off to prepare for the Manchester United game and Caldwell says the team are ready for the challenge: “The manager will show us what United are good at, give us options on how to deal with those things and what we’re going to do as a team.
 “I think we’ve shown enough this season that anyone coming here won’t fancy it and hopefully we can produce a good display, get the fans behind us and get a big win.
 “We’ve got talent all over the park to deal with them but they are a real threat when they’re on form.”

The skipper is pensive about the chances of survival and says all the side can do is concentrate on their own game and leave the talking to others: “Everyone on the outside world tells us who is going down and how many points are going to keep you up, but as a footballer you need to take it one game at a time. It’s an old cliché but that’s all you can do as you never know how many points it’s going to be.
 “All we can do is focus on our own performance and hopefully, with the talent we have got at this game, we will make sure we are safe at the end of the campaign.”


http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10429~2297717,00.html