Wigan Athletic

Wigan 3-1 Reading
Wigan won promotion to the Premiership with a comfortable win over Reading. After a promising start, Lee McCulloch slotted home from close range on 18 minutes following good work by Jason Roberts and Ian Breckin. Roberts doubled the lead moments later having been played in by Nathan Ellington, who capped the win with a late header from Jason Jarrett's cross. The result ended Reading's own play-off hopes but Steven Sidwell turned in Dave Kitson's cross for a consolation goal. Wigan were only elected to the Football League in 1978 and the win caps a remarkable climb through the game's tiers and sparked scenes of mass celebration at the JJB Stadium. Both teams came into the game with plenty to play for, Wigan knowing a win would see them go up while the visitors needed points to keep up their push for the play-offs. But despite the size of the prize at stake, Wigan betrayed few signs of nerves and started by far the better. Reading failed to test home keeper John Filan until the closing moments of the first half when Nicky Forster missed two glorious opportunities. By then they were already two goals adrift with their play-off hopes in tatters. Early sloppy defending almost gifted Ellington a chance to open the scoring, and the Latics looked particularly dangerous down the right flank which was the source of the opening goal. Roberts was played in and pulled the ball back after a powerful run to the bye line, Breckin flicked it on with a neat back heel and McCulloch was on hand to score. Reading were still reeling when Wigan struck again, Ellington linking with Roberts on the edge of the area before the latter breezed past the wrong-footed Ibrahima Sonko and sent a slide-rule right-footed finish beyond Marcus Hahnerman. Breckin spurned a free header to increase the lead before Forster missed his opportunities to cut the deficit, first miscuing a volley in the area before planting a header into Filan's grateful grasp. Those forays triggered a greater urgency in Reading's display after the break, but they could not breach a Wigan rearguard that boasts the best defensive record in the division. The hosts were happy to sit back, draw the sting out of the intermittent attacks and play out time before the promotion party kicked off. Ellington's 85th-minute header - his 24th goal of the campaign - ensured those celebrations went off with a swing, despite Sidwell's injury-time goal

Jewell aware of tough task ahead
Wigan boss Paul Jewell is adamant that he will adopt a meticulous approach to spending a possible £25m reward for winning promotion to the Premiership. Latics chairman Dave Whelan says he may have to "look at spending £10m to £25m" to keep the club in the top flight. And a jubilant Jewell said: "When you have got the money to spend you have to spend it wisely. "If you don't and you bring in the wrong type of players you get the sack. Money itself brings pressure." Jewell has been told to choose a "three, four or five-year contract" by Whelan, who has already spent up to £75m to make his "impossible dream" come true and steer the club into the Premiership. Jewell added: "We need to strengthen. There's no doubt about that but we're just going to enjoy the next couple of days and then take stock. "We've got to make sure we sign the right players and they are coming to the football club for the right reason. "That doesn't mean the players who helped us this season are going to be wiped out but we'll have to improve the squad." Jewell hailed Wigan's promotion to the Premiership as an "unbelievable achievement" after the 3-1 win over Reading booked their top-flight status. Last season they missed out on a play-off place on the final day of the season after losing to West Ham. Jewell to get £25m Whelan could not disguise his joy at Wigan's elevation to English football's elite and has set his sights high as he closes in on securing a new deal for Jewell. "I have to say the manager we have got is a very special person and I am talking to him about the extension of his contract, which I hope we will agree next week," he said. "It's basically agreed but he wouldn't sign an extension until he knew which division we were in. He is that honest and that kind of man. "Paul Jewell will remain with this club as long as one of the top six clubs in the land don't come in for him. "Now if one of those clubs come in for him I will say 'good luck, you deserve it, go and do it'." Whelan added: "If we don't get the players we require we will fight for our lives at the bottom end of the league because it's a tough and good league. "But we want to be in the middle section and that's the ambition, to consolidate."

Roberts eyeing Premiership goals
Wigan striker Jason Roberts is chasing more goals when he returns to the top-flight next season. The 27-year-old has four Premiership goals to his name during spells with West Brom and Portsmouth but he believes he is in better shape now. "I've moved on from a couple of seasons ago and I think I'm a better player," Roberts told the Wigan Observer. "A confident Jason Roberts and a Jason Roberts lacking confidence are two different animals."

Latics offer quartet new deals
Newly-promoted Wigan have offered new contracts to Gary Teale, Steve McMillan, Jason Jarrett and Gary Walsh. Teale and McMillan have been offered two-year deals, Jarrett has a three-year deal to consider and Walsh one year, with a coaching role as well. "They've done a great job helping us reach the Premiership," boss Paul Jewell told the club website. "I'm delighted to offer them the chance in the top flight. Hopefully they'll say yes to our proposals."

Jewell offered new Wigan contract
Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell is set to sign a three-year extension to his contract which will keep him at the JJB Stadium until 2008. The 40-year-old had 12 months left on his initial deal and owner Dave Whelan wants to reward him for taking the Latics into the Premiership. "Paul is the best manager in the land and we've got him," Whelan said. Jewell is waiting for his backroom staff of Chris Hutchings and David Lowe to agree terms before he signs up. "Things have been agreed verbally. The contract isn't signed yet but there is nothing to worry about," Jewell added. "We will all sign up together."

Wigan star targets comeback date
Wigan striker Jason Roberts is aiming to be fit for the start of his side's first-ever Premiership campaign. The 27-year-old limped off during Wigan's final Championship game against Reading, with what was eventually diagnosed as a broken leg. "No player likes getting injured, but I suppose if there's a good time to have a problem, now is it," Roberts told the club website. "I'll be focusing my energy on getting fit for the start of pre-season." "I have a first-class medical team around me at Latics and they'll make sure everything is done properly," added Roberts. "I'm so excited about the prospect of playing in the top-flight for Wigan next season and this injury won't cause any problems for that."

Everton's Watson wanted by four
Everton's out-of-contract Steve Watson is being chased by four clubs. Blackburn, Wigan, Leeds and Sunderland are all interested in signing the 31-year-old, who is expected to leave Everton on a free transfer. Watson was dogged by injury problems last season and made only occasional appearances as Everton finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League. Watson, who joined Everton from Aston Villa in July 2000, is unlikely to sign a new deal at Goodison Park.

Jewell rules out Carroll return
Wigan boss Paul Jewell insists he will not bring goalkeeper Roy Carroll back to his former club, claiming they would not be able to meet his wage demands. Carroll was released by Manchester United after the FA Cup Final and had been linked with a move back to Wigan. He left for United in a £2.5m deal in July 2001, and Jewell said: "Roy Carroll is a very good goalkeeper." But he added: "If he turned down £20,000-a-week at United it's hardly likely that he will be coming here." Wigan are searching for cover for John Filan, who was the regular keeper as they won promotion to the Premiership. He said: "I am looking to bring in another keeper. John Filan will be our number one, but we need to strengthen in that area." The 27-year-old Northern Ireland international was signed by Wigan from Hull for £350,000 in April 1997.

Canaries 'in talks with Jarrett'
Wigan boss Paul Jewell says midfielder Jason Jarett has had talks with another club - believed to be Norwich. The 25-year-old, who is available on a free transfer, has been offered a new three-year deal by the promoted Latics but is set to move elsewhere. "Of course he's entitled to talk to whoever he wants and that's what he's doing," Jewell explained. "I have the utmost respect for him as a person and a footballer and we will wish him well whatever he decides."

Goalkeeper Pollitt set for Wigan
Rotherham have confirmed that goalkeeper Mike Pollitt is on the verge of joining Wigan. The 33-year-old was also wanted by Oldham - who are managed by former Millers boss Ronnie Moore - and had been linked with a move to Ipswich. But Rotherham boss Mick Harford says that negotiations with Wigan have been been held over the last few days. And Pollitt, in his second spell at Millmoor, is now set to join the Latics despite having a year left on his deal. "He is a player I'm interested in signing and we have made an approach," confirmed Latics manager Paul Jewell. "However, at this moment in time we are still at the discussion stage."

Mitchell agrees transfer to Dons
Milton Keynes Dons have agreed a two-year deal with Wigan midfielder Paul Mitchell, who will join when his Latics deal expires at the end of June. The 24-year-old had a successful loan spell at the National Hockey Stadium last season and is happy to come back. "Danny Wilson gave me a chance to get back playing again and the fans were also a massive incentive," he said. "There were a few clubs who were interested in me but in my heart there was only one place to go."

Teale ties up new Latics contract
Winger Gary Teale has agreed a new two-year contract with Wigan. Manager Paul Jewell described it as "great news", adding: "He has the pace and skill to frighten defences at all levels - including the Premiership." Teale, 26, told the club's website: "I was always certain in my mind that I wanted to stay and I didn't want to miss out on playing in the Premiership. "I've a tremendous relationship with the manager and he's obviously a factor in me committing myself to Latics."

Wigan struggling to sign players
Wigan manager Paul Jewell has admitted he is struggling to sign players from the Premiership. "I have got a list of targets as long as my arm," said Jewell. "Since we've won promotion I've had five or six knock backs from established Premierships stars who don't want to come here at the moment. "But whoever joins the squad will be quality. We only want people who will roll up their sleeves and are prepared to fight for Wigan." Wigan are understood to have up to £20m to spend on new signings but have already been rebuffed by the likes of Scott Parker, Robbie Keane and Darren Bent.

Jewell eyes Premiership survival
Paul Jewell insists he would be happy even if it took until the last day of the season for newly-promoted Wigan to retain their top-flight status. The Latics manager achieved exactly that feat with Bradford five years ago and knows what it takes to survive. Jewell said: "I would love to stay in the Premiership again with Wigan. I'll settle for last-day salvation like we achieved with Bradford. "If my team is good enough and I get the best out of them, we will stay up." Jewell is under no illusions as to how difficult the task will be, but remains confident his side can prove their critics wrong. He added: "If people are saying we're certainties to go down, then let's use that as an extra spur. "We don't have to prove anything. There have been a lot of unkind comments about Wigan since I have been here - about the players, supporters, the club and the town - and we've proved them all wrong so far. "But I'm not in this game to prove idiots wrong, I'm in this game to be as good as I possibly can, to get the best out of whatever team I possibly have. "We've had a winning mentality here over the last three years, and without being defeatist, that's going to change to a certain extent. "We've got to make sure if we do get beat - and we are going to get beat on occasions - that we stay together, we don't lose our heads and don't panic. "It's going to be an awfully difficult season, but one we are looking forward to."

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