PAUL Jewell asked for a selection headache - but nearly got a dose of the blues after gambling on his Carling Cup line up against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
The Wigan Athletic chief made 11 changes to the side which had drawn 1-1 against Middlesbrough on Sunday, and asked his second string to give him food for thought ahead of Saturdays trip to struggling Everton.
But - goalkeeper John Filan aside - few of his squad made an impression on Tuesday night, and it took the introduction of first-stringers Jason Roberts and David Connolly to stir the Premiership side into life.
"John Filan looked very sharp in his first game back since Reading, so theres always positives to take out of it," said Jewell.
"But I was looking for certain players to do a lot more on Tuesday night and they didnt produce.
"I gave people opportunities, there were people crying out for games, theres no better time for them to show what they can do.
"It was a good pitch, good conditions and it just goes to show if you dont start the game off properly, you cant pick it up. In the end it took Jason Roberts to give us the spark we were lacking."
Australian international Josip Skoko came through his first 90 minutes for the club, and showed some neat touches without ever really getting into the game. Matt Jackson, Emerson Thome, Gary Teale Steven McMillan and David Wright also made their first appearances of the season to little effect.
Although only 3,346 people witnessed the game, it is a fair bet they will see a very different side at Goodison Park on Saturday, as the Latics seek to extend their unbeaten run to a third game.
"It must have been an awful game to watch, but dont take anything away from Bournemouth, they played very well."
"Im disappointed with some of the players," said Jewell. "Its very unlike us because one thing we have spot on is the attitude, some of them didnt do themselves justice, and thats disappointing for them as well as the team.
"I dont think it was lack of effort, we didnt have that edge, it just shows if you havent got that edge, it might only be by five per cent, its a major part of the team."
The draw for the third round of the Carling Cup will be made live on Sky Sports News on Saturday lunchtime.
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