Jewell rejig set to exclude Johansson
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Your support makes all the difference.The Wigan manager Paul Jewell said he would "break one or two hearts" with his team selection for the Carling Cup final, with statistics suggesting that Andreas Johansson could be the one to miss out.
Johansson, the 27-year-old midfielder, has scored three goals in his past three games as a makeshift striker but is expected to make way for Henri Camara and Jason Roberts against Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium.
Camara angered Jewell by returning home late from African Nations' Cup duty with Senegal but played against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, while Roberts will be available after completing a three-match ban for his red card against Everton.
Both players have been instrumental in Wigan's surprising progress in the Premiership this season, troubling defenders with their pace and power. Johansson could therefore miss out despite scoring twice in the 2-2 draw at Spurs on Sunday.
"I'm going to disappoint a few people but I have to do it," Jewell said. "You can't please everybody. I expect those players to be disappointed but that's what I get paid for.
"I'm going to have to break one or two hearts. I don't think a lot of the players like me anyway and some of them are going to dislike me even more."
Both Roberts and Camara have a high "Actim Index" score. The system gives each player a score according to how effective their performances are, rather than a tally of goals, assists or saves.
Former professionals report on the action live from the grounds and the final rating is reached after applying a mathematical formula. Goals, shots on target, corners, fouls, offsides, passes, tackles, blocks and clearances are all taken into consideration and each player adds to his points total with each game.
The system rates Pascal Chimbonda as Wigan's most effective player, registering him at 12 on the index after his consistent displays at full-back. The 27-year-old has only just returned from suspension for picking up five bookings but can expect to keep his place in the side.
Wigan have been given another 500 tickets for the final, meanwhile, after selling almost all of their 27,000 allocation.
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