Newcastle United winger Damien Duff has warned his team-mates they cannot afford a European hangover as they attempt to maintain their climb up the Barclays Premiership table.
The Magpies travel to struggling Wigan Athletic tomorrow determined to build upon a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in their last league game.
However, where they had an enviable record under Bobby Robson of winning Premiership games immediately after a fixture in Europe, they have not fared so well in the wake of UEFA Cup fixtures this season.
Glenn Roeder's men have lost at Aston Villa, Manchester United and Middlesbrough in Sunday fixtures after Thursday night games, and that is a situation they are desperate to address this weekend.
Duff said: 'We have played a lot of games in Europe this season and sometimes that has cost us games in the Premiership.
'Sometimes we have put in some sluggish performances on the Sunday after European games. But hopefully that will not happen tomorrow.'
Thursday night's 1-0 UEFA Cup victory over Zulte Waregem at St James' Park set few pulses racing, and Duff admits his side will have to be much better at the JJB Stadium if they are to further increase Wigan's relegation fears.
He said: 'We are going to have to do an awful lot better than we did against Zulte if we are to beat Wigan.
'As soon as the final whistle went on Thursday, we were looking forward to the game.
'Home or away, we want to improve in every aspect and we are working hard on that every day.'
