Wigan Athletic Football Club News

• Nickname:Latics
• Founded:1932
• Manager:Roberto Martinez

• Ground:JJB Stadium
• Capacity:25,000

Jewell hails target AJ

13 Sep 2006 - 14:05:22

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Wigan Athletic boss Paul Jewell say he bears no ill will towards striker Andy Johnson, who shunned the Latics to join Everton in an £8.6million deal this summer.

Johnson has scored four goals in four games for the Toffees since his arrival from Crystal Palace, with Jewell having tried to tempt him to move to the JJB Stadium.

Now the Latics will have to try and stop Johnson when Wigan travel to Goodison Park this weekend.

Jewell told the Wigan Evening Post: "Andy Johnson is a top player and our defenders won't be getting a second of rest, because one of his biggest assets is his phenomenal work-rate.

"The lad was someone I tried to bring here, but it was always going to be difficult being up against an established club like Everton.

"He was impressed with us, but I understand his reasons for not coming here.

"Everton have won championships and cups, have 40,000 people there each week, while we are still a brand new Premiership club.

"I think it was only the tradition of Everton that swayed him.

"It wasn't a financial thing, we have never pulled out of a deal because the chairman won't spend the money."