Arjan De Zeeuw can almost be classed as an honorary Englishman as he has been plying his trade in this country for so long. Having started life at Barnsley he has since been a stalwart for both Portsmouth and Wigan. The Dutch centre half is still proving to be a major obstacle for opposition attackers to pass as he proved in last weekend's goalless draw with Fulham. Givemefootball’s Ian Clarkson caught up with De Zeeuw to hear his thoughts as Wigan inched closer to Premiership safety.
Q:YOUR GAME WITH FULHAM ENDED IN A GOALLESS DRAW, IT WASN'T THE BEST BY ALL ACCOUNTS?
A: No, it wasn't a very nice game but we're happy with the clean sheet. It's a long time since I played in the back four so I can't complain at not conceding.
Q:WERE BOTH TEAMS JUST HAPPY WITH A POINT?
A:No, I don't think it was that. I just don't think we created enough. It wasn't pretty but if was functional. Charlton is a bit of a crunch game if we're being honest. We need the six points to take us to 40 as soon as we can. We've had a nice little run but the breaks we keep having aren't really helping us. We've still got a lot of games where we feel we can get points.
Q:FULHAM'S FANS WEREN'T TOO HAPPY, WERE THEY?
A:Fulham have not had the best of away records and they need their fans behind them. It may not have been a pretty game but they got a point. It was a dour game but they maybe should have been happy to see their team get a point.
Q:YOUR HOME GATES ARE NOT TOO GOOD AT THE MOMENT?
A:We've been trying to get more people in but this wasn't the sort of game to attract a lot of people. And don't forget the rugby season has started again. If we were flying in the table we'd get more in. But we appreciate those who come and they do their best to create an atmosphere.
Q:PAUL JEWELL HAS BEEN ATTRACTING A LOT OF SPECULATION RECENTLY, ARE YOU SURPRISED AT THAT?
A:Absolutely not. It's no surprise to see him linked with other clubs when you consider what he's done here. It's been harder this year but we're still showing signs. He's made some shrewd signings to replace the people who've left. Of course it would be a massive loss - a lot of the players are here because of Paul Jewell. It would be very disappointing but you couldn't blame the guy if he wants to try his luck with a big club. Wigan would do everything they could to keep him if something did come up. I'm sure of that.
Q:ARE YOU HOPING TO STAY YOURSELF? WHAT'S THE LATEST ON YOUR OWN DEAL?
A:We touched base a while ago but I've been injured for a long time and we weren't sure at one stage when the injury would go - so it's a bonus to be playing again and training fully again. I think we need to know where Wigan will be next season and then talk again - so let's get those points on the board first. I fancy another year because this hasn't been a great one for me with injuries. I'd like to finish with a nice season that involves a lot of football.
