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Joe: Changes Tuesday
Joe: Changes Tuesday
Monday, 25th Aug 2003 11:26

Town manager Joe Royle says that there will be changes to his side ahead of Tuesday night's trip to Wigan. However, that does not mean any new signings will be coming into his squad.

Royle's team were again disappointing and he says that the trip to the JJB Stadium will see a different line-up: "We need a spark from someone. We need to freshen things up so there will be changes for Tuesday."

The Town manager has denied that he has shown loan interest in Villa's Peter Crouch or Newcastle's Lomana Lua Lua, both linked in the weekend tabloids.

Ian Westlake impressed as a second half sub on the left of midfield and so could make his first senior start. Dean Bowditch may also be in line for his first inclusion in a starting XI.

Captain Jim Magilton has launched a scathing attack on his team-mates for their disappointing performances: "We've worked hard for six weeks but in the end it comes down to individuals. Some of us need a reality check that it is not going to be easy. You can't just turn up and think it will just happen.

"As a group we have not done it. Defensively we have been fine but going the other way we are not firing on all cylinders. The manager is confident it will work or will tinker with things at half-time. With the attacking flair we have you know it will happen sooner or later.

"The manager is keeping faith with these lads because he feels they can produce for us. The rest of us have to like it or lump it. I'm quite happy, I want to play and I want to go out and win games and if 4-3-3 wins games, then fine.

"It is up to the management and staff to change it if they feel it is not working."

Royle himself feels that the strikers aren't doing enough defensively when there are three of them on the field: "We played with three front players who are all instinctive but unfortunately none of those instincts are defensive. The three of them didn't think it was in their contract to even stop a full back running."

Royle felt his side improved in the second half when he switched to 4-4-2 and that may be the way his team lines up against Paul Jewell's side.

Town have two injury worries ahead of the trip to Lancashire. Georges Santos had to have stitches in a wound on his chin while Fabian Wilnis is still suffering after being elbowed by Micky Doyle in the first half.

Wilnis was unimpressed with Doyle's treatment of him all afternoon: "I don't know why he was having a go at me but he was constantly kicking me instead of the ball and slapped me in the back of the head as a ball was going out for a throw."

Town's trip to Wigan will be the first time the sides have met in the league, although the two teams faced one another in the Coca-Cola Cup in 1992.


Photo: Action Images



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