Bruce Has Eye On Europe

10 April 2009 13:09
Wigan boss Steve Bruce is demanding his players look towards Europe[LNB]- but not with regard to sun, sea and sand this summer.[LNB]Bruce feels the Latics have a realistic shot at clinching a place in next season's Europa League, the revamped UEFA Cup tournament.[LNB]It is looking likely that seventh spot in the Barclays Premier League will be enough to guarantee a berth in the competition, and Wigan are firmly in the hunt.[LNB]Bruce's side are currently eighth, three points behind West Ham, but with a couple of heavyweights in Manchester City and Spurs on their shoulder.[LNB]The concern for Bruce is his players have maybe started to relax - as witnessed by last weekend's 4-0 loss at Everton - in the wake of passing the magical 40-point mark.[LNB]"For a club of our size the priority is to stay in this league, and at the moment it looks like it's mission accomplished," said Bruce.[LNB]"We've now seven games to go, and the last thing I want is for the players to develop a mentality of 'we're nearly on our holidays'.[LNB]"We've worked extremely hard to be in this position, and we want to finish the season as high as we can, rather than looking over our shoulder like we have done for the past couple of years.[LNB]"We're in with a chance of Europe, and when you have a chance, you have to try and grab it, and if we do, then we will see how we do.[LNB]"But we have to play better than we did against Everton, that's for sure."[LNB]Captain Mario Melchiot, however, claims Wigan "are not yet ready to play in Europe".[LNB]He added: "It would be too soon for us, but don't get me wrong, I'd love to play in Europe.[LNB]"I'm not saying it because I don't want it because if it came along I'd grab it with both hands. I'm saying it because I am realistic."[LNB]Bruce can understand Melchiot's sentiments, in particular due to the size of the Wigan squad that simply is not big enough to cope with the demands of playing on the continent.[LNB]"Clubs like Aston Villa and Spurs didn't feel they were capable of mounting a real, sustained challenge (this season) because of their squad and with the amount of games, which I can understand," added Bruce.[LNB]"If we get there then we'll deal with it. We owe it to ourselves to have a crack, even if some people may think we're not ready in terms of numbers.[LNB]"That is a problem because I think we've arguably the smallest first-team squad of just 22 players, and that includes three goalkeepers.[LNB]"It is a very small squad to deal with, so to try and pitch in another 15 games on top of what we already have, then it's very difficult and I can understand where he (Melchiot) is coming from.[LNB]"But we've seven games left, with five of those against teams in the bottom half of the table and we could easily pick up 10 or 11 points, so we've a chance. Let's give it a go."[LNB]Wigan start that run of seven games with tomorrow's visit of an in-form Arsenal who are unbeaten in their last 17 league matches.[LNB]With the Gunners also in the last four of the FA Cup and last eight of the Champions League, Bruce feels it has not been too bad a year for Arsene Wenger.[LNB]"They've moved into gear at the right time," said Bruce.[LNB]"Whereas others are having a wobble, Arsenal seem to have hit a bit of consistency.[LNB]"In my opinion they will edge into the semi-final of the Champions League, are in the semi-final of the FA Cup, and they're sitting fourth in the league.[LNB]"I'm not throwing them back in the title race, but they're involved in everything else, which for a club of Arsenal's size and stature, you wouldn't expect anything else."[LNB]

Source: Eurosport