Johansson's double suggests Jewell now has variety of options

Signed from Djurgaardens IF in a £450,000 deal in January, the Swedish international made just one substitute appearance as the Latics secured promotion from the Championship last term. The 27-year-old started the second match of the season - a 1-0 defeat at Charlton Athletic - but has only featured in the Carling Cup since then.

An attacking midfielder, he was employed as a striker, alongside another makeshift forward, Gary Teale, against Watford on Tuesday night, and earned the penalty that Ryan Taylor converted in the 97th minute, before adding another two goals in the final three minutes of extra time.

Jewell, who has used a 4-4-2 formation during his four years at the JJB Stadium, admits it has not been easy to fit Johansson into that system. "There's no denying it, he has struggled," said the Wigan manager. "It's difficult finding a position for him. Maybe if he'd scored early on, when he first came, maybe his confidence [would have improved], but hopefully he can kick on and start to show us what he really is about."

Despite not hiding the fact that the League remains his priority, Jewell, whose team entertain Fulham on Saturday, is adamant that the Carling Cup is still important.

He said: "We won the match and winning is a habit. I would rather lose [against Watford] and win on Saturday, but why not win again?"

Taylor, who slammed home the spot-kick after Johansson had been fouled by Jay DeMerit, also opened his goalscoring account for the Latics, having joined in a £1.25m deal from Tranmere in the summer.

A set-piece specialist, the England Under-21 international scored 10 goals last season, but accepts he is probably at the back of the queue for penalties at the JJB Stadium. "I just fancied getting off the mark and it was my first Wigan goal so I'm proud of that," he said. "I used to take them at my old club and over there I was always number one. Over here, there's a pecking order so I'll get in that order and if I'm on the pitch at the time and the gaffer wants me to take it, I'll step forward."

Taylor believes the Carling Cup is a decent opportunity to impress but acknowledges that all the Latics' fringe players will have to bide their time to break into the side, with Jewell's men currently on a seven-match unbeaten run in the Premiership.

"It is [a chance to impress]," Taylor added. "There are nearly 11 different players out there [compared to Jewell's Premiership side]. We've got a fairly big squad and everyone's trying to take their chance out there and you've got to be on your toes.

"You couldn't wish for a better start. To be fourth in the Premiership is a dream come true, and I just hope we're there at the end of the season. We're not that surprised. People might not fancy us but we fancy ourselves every Saturday."