Spotlight on FA Cup 3rd Round tie

The players and manager Paul Jewell held talks at the training ground in the wake of the 1-0 home defeat by 10-man West Brom on Monday.

Jewell has seen his team go off the boil after a marvellous start in their first season in the Barclays Premiership.

Next up are Coca-Cola Championship promotion contenders Leeds in a tricky third round replay at Elland Road on Tuesday.

Jackson insists, though, there are reasons to be glad, not sad.

"We are close enough as a squad that we can talk frankly," said the 34-year-old defender.

"Everyone is very honest. It has been a funny time. We've played a lot of games and had mixed results.

"It is best to have these talks before things can develop into any sort of a crisis. We are certainly not at that point. We just chatted about how things had gone.

"Everyone was very upbeat and positive as it should be because we've had a remarkable time.

"This is where we are and it's a fantastic position to be in. We would have taken it at the start of the season. Most clubs in the division would swap with us."

This is a special competition and a special replay for Jackson. He helped Everton win the trophy in 1995 and Leeds is his hometown.

He said: "I have great memories of the cup. The time for reflecting is after your career finishes. You can look back with your feet up and bore the grandchildren.

"What is most important at the moment is the third round replay, not the 1995 final.

"A run in the competition would be great and Wigan are as capable of winning it as anyone else."

Jackson believes Leeds are on the up again.

"They look as though they are building again for a big future," he said.

"With all their history, it is a club that should be in the Premiership and that's what they are working towards.

"I'd imagine it's a great place to play your football, a great club to be a part of.

"They are good side, who work very hard for each other.

"We know they have players of real quality."