Ben Herd / Ben Herd / 23 October 2008 / Leave a comment

The Shrewsbury right-back managed to avoid a fifth yellow of the season last weekend but that doesn't stop him locking horns with a fellow Betting.Betfair writer in this week's column.

A minor miracle occurred this weekend, I managed not to get booked! We produced another good result, beating Bournemouth 4-1 and, as I write this piece, the rest of the team and I are preparing for our second game in four days - Accrington Stanley away.

Fortunately, our Gaffer doesn't seem to be from the Rafa Benitez mould, chopping and changing the side every two minutes. We also have an advantage over opposing teams when fixtures stack up because the coaches and the Gaffer have made us the fittest team in the division. I still think we're in pre-season with the amount of running we do!

People often ask if it's hard playing two games so close together, and yeah, it is a little bit more tiring at the end of the second game, but however knackered I am, I know my opposing player is feeling 10 times worse.

Training is built around us playing on a Tuesday night. We have a lighter session than usual on a Monday and the physio also plays his part, giving a few extra massages.

I've taken plenty of stick off the lads since the beginning of the season over my team Tottenham and their inability to win a game. I've read Betfair's Ralph Ellis' article on Spurs' lack of Premiership experience as one of the reasons that their awful form continues.

I see the point he's trying to make with only four players playing over a hundred Premier League games. However, I'm inclined to disagree. Take the starting 11 at Stoke; at a rough guess, there's over £100 million of purchased talent - and all of them internationals.

Players of this ability and pedigree should be able to perform better than they have done. Klinsmann and Ginola lit up the Premier League pretty much as soon as they arrived. In my opinion, the reason for Spurs' lack of form is too many changes to a starting 11 and a severe lack of confidence.

I promise I won't be talking about Spurs anymore, well, not until they start winning anyway. They say you can't buy experience but in football you kind of can. That's exactly what our Gaffer has done since his arrival, bringing in the likes of Graham Coughlan, Michael Jackson, Grant Holt and Paul Murray.

These players have been extremely influential on the team and especially myself. They aren't just older players looking to pick up a final contract; they are here to help the team progress up the leagues.

It has been a great benefit to me to play alongside Cocko and Jacko. I really feel this season my game has come on, and I don't think it's a coincidence that it coincides with the arrival of this pair. Little things, like their talking during the game and the advice they give you off the pitch are all really helpful. A team in League Two needs a strong and experienced spine, and this is exactly what the Gaffer has tried to implement.

I mentioned players that have lit up the Premier League instantly; well I think it can be safe to say Amr Zaki falls into this category. It has taken no time at all for the Egyptian to adapt to the rigours of the English game. The lad shows refreshing enthusiasm and passion for the game and seemingly doesn't stop running. He actually reminds me of our very own Grant Holt in his style of play.

Zaki's effortless transition into the Premiership is of stark contrast to someone like Roman Pavlyuchenko. To be honest, the Russian looks a little bit lost at the moment, but I'm sure he will come good. It will be interesting to see how the winter months go for Zaki, having played pretty much all his career in baking sunshine. Many a foreign player has gone missing when it starts to get cold! For now, the Egyptian is showing the Wigan fans exactly what they want to see.

Zaki's Wigan take on Aston Villa this weekend - this will be a battle of the giants with the likes of Emile Heskey and Zaki against John Carew and co. I'm going to punt on a score draw for this one at either [6.6] for 1-1 or [15.0] to back 2-2. There will be goals.