Wadsworth eyes more cup heroics from Pool
Aug 24 2010 by James Hunter, The Journal
HARTLEPOOL caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth has his eye on another Carling Cup giant-killing tonight – even though he may not be around to enjoy the prize of a third-round tie.
Wadsworth took over the reins after Chris Turner’s departure last week and got off to the perfect start with a 2-0 win at Yeovil on Saturday.
Pool beat Championship side Sheffield United in the first round at the Victoria Ground in what turned out to be Turner’s penultimate game in charge, and Wadsworth faces an even tougher challenge as his side play host to Premier League Wigan.
But even if Pool win tonight, Wadsworth admits there are no guarantees he will still be in charge by the time the third round arrives next month.
He said: “There’s no timescale been talked about – I just get on with it. I enjoy coming in to work and being out on the training ground.
“I don’t even know if I’d take the job if I was offered it full-time – there are a lot of issues around being a manager. We’ll just have to wait and see.
“In the meantime, I’m keen to have a crack at the cup game and possibly against Sheffield Wednesday in the league at the weekend.”
Wadsworth was given a boost yesterday after midfielder Paul Murray agreed a new contract which will keep him at the club until the end of the season. Murray, who turns 34 on Saturday, initially signed a one-month deal and Wadsworth is delighted he is staying for longer.
“Paul Murray has agreed an extended contract to take him to the end of the season which I’m very pleased about,” revealed Wadsworth.
“Chris [Turner] agreed that last week and that’s been ratified in the last couple of days. That’s really good news because I think he’s been immense.”
Pools’ are waiting on the fitness of Uruguayan midfielder Fabian Yantorno, who missed the weekend win at Yeovil with a back injury.
Neil Austin is still sidelined by an ankle injury sustained on the opening day of the season and Ritchie Humphreys is short of match practice after recovering from knee and Achilles problems. Wigan have been shipping goals right, left and centre this season, losing 4-0 at home to newly-promoted Blackpool on the opening day of the season and then suffering a 6-0 mauling at the hands of champions Chelsea at the DW Stadium on Saturday.
And if you factor in results at the end of last season, the Latics have conceded a staggering 25 goals in their last six Premier League games.
That has prompted boss Roberto Martinez to try and stem the tide of goals against by bringing in former Sunderland and Newcastle centre-back Steven Caldwell, who is available to make his debut tonight.
Caldwell was available on a free transfer after leaving Burnley following their relegation at the end of last season.
Since then he has been training with Wigan and has now signed a one-year deal with the Latics, linking up with his brother Gary who was already at the club.
Steven Caldwell could make his debut for Wigan tonight.
