Newcastle United v Wigan Athletic Preview

By Alan G
August 18 2006

Latics new signings Denny Landzaat, Fitz Hall, Emile Heskey and Emerson Boyce are all expected to make their Latics league debut at St James’ Park, although Paul Jewell is refusing to be drawn on his starting eleven.

"Whatever team turns out at St James Park will go on to the match with the belief that they can get something out of the game,” said Jewell. “My teams never go onto the field without belief and tomorrow will be no different. Newcastle are a formidable team and the stadium is probably the best in the country for the atmosphere generated by the fans.

 

"But that can work both ways and we have some players in the team now who are well used to the big occasion. Every team wants to start the new season off with a win, we're no different and neither are Newcastle, and I'm expecting us to be very competitive tomorrow."

 

Jewell believes his team is stronger than that which faced the Magpies last season stating: "We have more depth and a few more options this year,"

 

"One thing I did learn from last season is that after Christmas, when subconsciously the players thought we were safe, some of them tailed off a little bit.

 

"That is something I will have to look at and maybe I will rotate my squad a little bit more."

 

 

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has received a triple injury boost ahead of the game.

 

Goalkeeper Shay Given (back), full-back Stephen Carr (hamstring) and midfielder Damien Duff (groin) have all been passed fit.

 

Only Michael Owen (knee) and Kieron Dyer (hamstring) remain on the casualty list with the England striker set to miss most of the season and Dyer due back in full training with four weeks.

 

 

Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Carr, Ramage, Bramble, Moore, Taylor, Boumsong, Babayaro, Parker, Emre, Solano, Duff, Butt, N'Zogbia, Milner, O'Brien, Pattison, Ameobi, Luque.

Latics (from): Kirkland, Pollitt, Filan, Boyce, De Zeeuw, Hall, Baines, Chimbonda, Johansson, Scharner, Skoko, Landzaat, Kavanagh, McCulloch, Cywka, Camara, Valencia, Heskey, Connolly, Wright, Jackson.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (Yorkshire)

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME:
Newcastle United 3-1 Wigan Athletic
15 April 2006 - Ref: Uriah Rennie
Newcastle scorers: Shearer 28 pen, Bramble 36, Shearer 66
Latics scorer: Bullard 5