Source: Team_Talk
Goals bring cheer for rival strikers
At the age of 33, Hughes rolled back the years on Saturday in the FA Cup fourth-round clash with a display that suggested he is just too good for County.[LNB]Hughes scored his 20th goal of the season for the League Two side who came within seven minutes of causing a famous FA Cup shock.[LNB]But then Scotland sparked Wigan's comeback by scoring for the first time since his £2million summer move from Swansea where he scored freely, meaning the teams must meet again to determine the winner of their tie.[LNB]Despite leading 2-0 at the break against Premier League Wigan, County had to settle for a 2-2 draw and a fourth-round replay at the DW Stadium on February 2.[LNB]That game will afford Hughes another opportunity to show that maybe he is worth another chance with a bigger club, despite County's lofty ambitions.[LNB]"I enjoyed playing against them. I showed people I can still do it at the top - at least I hope so anyway," said former West Brom and Coventry forward Hughes.[LNB]"My aim at the start of the season was to score 20 goals, so I'm not sure what I'm going to set myself now."[LNB]Asked if he could see himself returning to a higher level, maybe at the end of the season if County fail to gain promotion, he replied: "I'm not sure.[LNB]"Every player wants to play at the highest level they can, but I'm happy here for the time being.[LNB]"We'll see what goes on here, but if I keep performing the way I do, then who knows."[LNB]Ben Davies added a second goal for County five minutes before the break with a dipping 25-yard free-kick, and at that stage the hosts seemed set for a place in the last 16 for the first time in 18 years.[LNB]However Scotland then had his say for Roberto Martinez's Wigan side, on his 21st appearance for the Latics.[LNB]"It's been difficult these past few months," said the Trinidad & Tobago international.[LNB]"I've been playing mind games with myself, thinking 'When am I going to score?'.[LNB]"Thanks to the gaffer as he's given me the confidence to keep doing well, to keep enjoying it and play with a smile on my face.[LNB]"I've now been rewarded with a goal, and I'm a relieved man, but I have to hope this is the start of something better for me now.[LNB]"With goals you gain in confidence, and hopefully my confidence will grow and grow.[LNB]"If I get another one on Wednesday (at Blackburn) the confidence will grow again, then I can relax and play my best football."[LNB]According to Wigan boss Martinez, the Premier League will now see "the normal Jason Scotland" - the player who scored 53 goals in 105 games for Swansea under the Spaniard.[LNB]"Up until now it's been about when Jason would score, but it's never been an issue for me or any of my staff," said Martinez.[LNB]"That's because of the contribution he makes to the team as he works really hard, and he holds up the play well.[LNB]"So I'm delighted for Jason given the work rate he has put in."[LNB]Ben Watson forced the face-saving replay for Wigan with an equaliser in the 83rd minute, although Hughes feels the Magpies are still in with a shout of a shock.[LNB]"For us to perform like we did against them, it will give them something to think about in the replay," said Hughes.[LNB]"We can definitely have them in the replay. We've nothing to worry about.[LNB]"I know they're a good team, but we've got to go there and get in their faces and show them we can do the same thing at their place."[LNB]Before then County face a second winding-up order of the season, due to be heard in the High Court in London on Wednesday.[LNB]The Magpies managed to pay off the first debt, £400,000 owed to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, but the tax men are now looking for a further payment of £600,000.[LNB]Chief executive Peter Trembling is due to announce tomorrow the merger of two interested consortia who are set to pump £2million into County, so averting the latest threat to their future.[LNB][LNB]
