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CALD GOAL?

Posted on: Wed 25 Aug 2010

Defender on Hartlepool win, Tottenham challenge and trying to claim a debut goal!

Many thought that after three minutes of his debut Steve Caldwell had announced his arrival at Wigan Athletic with a goal, converting a Jordi Gomez free-kick into the back of the net and sending Latics on their way to a convincing Carling Cup win.

But before replays could prove otherwise the defender admitted that his involvement in the opening goal was minimal, despite his best efforts to claim it for himself;

He said; "Jordi (Gomez) put in a tremendous flat-ball to the front-post and gives the defender plenty to think about.

"He was tight on me as the ball came in and unfortunately for him he's put the ball in the back of his own net which made it a very good start for us.

"At the time I tried to steal it and claim it for myself but in fairness I didn't get anything on it at all so I can't really put my name on that one."

It mattered not as the centre-half went on to give a commanding performance alongside Antolin Alcaraz in defence, talking us through a successful night for Latics;

"It was a very pleasing display as we knew we were going to be in for a very tough night," said Caldwell.

"The early goal helped a lot and at times we kept the ball very well, and from my point of view and the rest of the defence, to come away with a clean-sheet is a big plus.

"We were pretty in control for most of the game, but you obviously have to be aware that at any time they could break away and put you under pressure.

"Keeping a clean-sheet was vital and before the game we said it was our main objective. We were confident that by moving the ball around quickly the rest would come up-front and we were right.

"We defended resolutely and right when you need him Ali (Al Habsi) was there to pull off a fantastic save, it's what he's there for at the end of the day and he had a big say in us keeping them out.

"Tactically we went a little different for a change and tried a few new things, playing Mauro (Boselli) and Hugo (Rodallega) up-front together for example.

"But we're that fluent in the way we play that we can build from our base and make use of what space opens up ahead of us.

"That can be difficult coming to a tight ground like Victoria Park and against a team who are well up for the challenge, but we showed on our class and moved the ball around very sharply at times."

Now the team get ready to carry that performance over into their next league clash against Tottenham on Saturday, and Caldwell is eyeing up a place in the starting eleven;

"We've had two poor results beforehand, and you have to get your campaign up and running sooner rather than later.

"Hartlepool was a potential banana-skin for us, but we've shown our quality on the night, won comfortably in the end and know we're pushing on for what will be an extremely difficult game on Saturday against Tottenham.

"It's a tough place to go but we ourselves have to make sure we are tough and that we're solid as a unit.

"We have to impose ourselves on the game and give everything if we want to get something out of the game.

"A good squad should always give the manager problems in terms of selection.

"It was pleasing from my point of view to get a run-out, it's the first 90 minutes I've completed this season and it felt good. I'm sure I'll only get fitter and sharper and hopefully I'll be in the reckoning for Spurs."