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'EXCITING TIMES AHEAD' PREDICTS BRAMBLE

Posted on: Sun 08 Feb 2009

Defender feels dynamic forward-line will wow Latics fans

By Paul Chialton

Replacing players such as Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios is never going to be an easy task, especially given their contribution to Latics over the last 12 months.

However Titus Bramble feels those that have been recruited by Steve Bruce to fill the positions could have a bright future at the JJB, and make as big an impact as their predecessors:

"The new lads have only been in for a week and it will obviously take time for them to gel and settle in.

"But in that time we've remained unbeaten and put in some good performances so there's positives to take from that.

"Of those brought in I've known Charles (N'Zogbia) for a few years so I'll be looking after him.

"When he gets the ball he's direct, like Antonio (Valencia), so he's going to run at defenders and cause them problems. He's a terrific player and I want him to show the Wigan fans how good he really is.

"It all means that we've got so much pace going forward now especially with Hugo (Rodallega) up-front, so it's exciting times."

It was a tough encounter against Fulham on Saturday and coming at the end of a busy fixture schedule it didn't help that several players had to be substituted in the first-half through injury.

But Bramble and the backline gave another solid performance to keep their opponents at bay, and the defender believes it's a sign of Wigan's progression that they should feel disappointed at such a result:

"This time last year we wouldn't have played well and got beaten, but this time round we've not played well and got a point so it show how far we've come.

"To make three substitutions in the first-half disrupts your game-plan, but we battled on and got a point.

"The main thing is that we're keeping clean sheets, and as a team we're defending very well. Whether it's me, Scharner or Boycey playing at the back we're all comfortable playing alongside each other."