Sibierski: We are fired up for Goodison Park opener

Aug 9 2007 by Ian Parkes, Liverpool Daily Post

ANTOINE SIBIERSKI has warned Everton that he’s never been in a team as fired up as Wigan are ahead of Saturday’s Premier League kick-off.

And the goalscoring midfielder sees no reason why the first visitors to Goodison Park in the new campaign can’t finish in the top 10 of the Barclays Premier League.

It was a feat the Latics achieved on their top-flight debut in 2005-06, yet they were unable to repeat that last season and only avoided relegation with victory at Sheffield United on the final day.

With new manager Chris Hutchings at the helm following the shock departure of Paul Jewell immediately after he guided Wigan to survival, there are fears of another dogfight.

Yet Sibierski, one of seven signings made by Hutchings over the summer, is confident the Latics can again defy the odds – and more.

“The feeling in the camp is fantastic, as good as I’ve known in football,” said Sibierski, who joined on a free from Newcastle in June.

“Everybody is really fired up, and if you look at the quality in the squad, I seriously believe – as we all do – we can achieve a lot this season.

“If we stick together as a team and play for the manager, there’s no reason why we can’t aim to finish in the top 10. That has to be the ambition.”

Whether the 33-year-old Frenchman plays in the opener at Everton on Saturday remains to be seen as he has recently been struggling with a thigh strain.

Sibierski played for the first time in pre-season on Saturday in a 2-1 win at Leeds, coming on for Emile Heskey in the second half.

“It was great to play again, but I have a little bit of catching up to do,” added Sibierski.

“I am not match fit yet, so whether or not the manager chooses to play me at Everton is of course down to him.”