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Jewell: Clubs Not Prepared to Gamble on Conference Players Tuesday, 1st Feb 2011 08:30
Town manager Paul Jewell says clubs aren’t always prepared to take a chance on Conference level players such as Andy Drury, who joined the Blues from Luton for £150,000 yesterday. The 27-year-old, who has signed a contract until 2013, finally got his big break after previously spending his career in non-league with Sittingbourne, Gravesend and Northfleet, Lewes and Stevenage.
Jewell says that players capable of playing at higher levels sometimes stay where they are because no one is willing to take a gamble: “People might ask why he’s not moved before and it’s probably because no one’s taken a chance on him. We live in a world where people want success straight away and it’s not the sexiest thing to take a kid out of non-league.
“Maybe the big boys have had a look and thought maybe not, but I think for the money and quality of player that we’ve got, we’ve got a good deal. Only time will tell, but I’m very happy with it.
“If you go to any Conference game, there are a lot of scouts from Premier League and Championship teams there. It’s sometimes about taking the plunge and because he had a clause in his contract which meant we could get him for £150,000, it was a risk worth taking.”
The Town boss first spotted Drury when he was at Stevenage, who he helped to win the Conference - currently known as the Blue Square Bet Premier - last season before moving to Luton on a free transfer in the summer.
Jewell says he spoke with a member of the Boro staff about him: “I saw him play when he was at Stevenage and I’ve seen a bit of Luton. I was speaking to John Dreyer, who is the assistant manager at Stevenage, a while ago and mentioned him. I’ve seen him a few times and he’s always impressed me.
“When I found out he had a clause in his contract which got him out for relatively low money, I thought it was a no-brainer really.
“He’s 27, he’s not a kid, so he’ll turn up to training and see the facilities - the training ground, the stadium - and the potential and he’ll be excited. It might take him a while to settle in, but I think he’ll be a good addition to the squad.”
The Blues boss outlined what he has seen in his first permanent Town signing: “He’s got outstanding delivery from set plays, he’s got two good feet and he’s proved himself at the level he’s playing at.
"I know there were a few clubs in for him and we’re delighted to have him and he’s delighted to be here.”
Drury, who was also believed to be interesting Coventry and Sheffield United, is unavailable for tonight's game at Derby as Luton failed to complete their administrative side of the deal in time.
Photos: TWTD/ITFC
Photo: Action Images
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Our best team in the last fifteen years had a mix of bargain buys and cast off from other clubs (Clapham, Croft, Magilton), a few seasoned pros (Mowbray, Venus), some up and coming talent (Holland, Jonno) a few of our kids (Wright, Naylor, Scowie) and some relatively expensive added quality (Stewart, Reuser).
All about getting hungry motivated players who want to play for the club.
At 27 Drury will be mature enough to appreciate the club and the opportunity. I for one hope he can step up and help the team. If he can deliver the ball from corners, free kicks etc (something we struggle at sometimes) hopefully Tamas etc can get some more goals. At 27 he's got a few years in him so for 150k it is worth the risk.
The key word is 'gamble'. There is probably a reason why clubs don't gamble. I simply can't see him breaking into the team with the likes of Bullard, Leadbitter, Edwards, Healy, Martin and Norris ahead of him.
do we give credit to captain calamity not "cashing in" on a riddiculously low offer for two quality players? He would have been linched and he knows it.
I am pleased with the way it has gone in general though and I for one will lay off Clegg (unless he blatantly messes something up) as he did secure Connor Wickham and to my knowledge we still have him.
I think we have enough quality up front and we didn't really need CA anyway. Priskin, Scotland, Wickham and Murray are decent players they just need good service.
Hopefully the two additions we have will provide this service.
Ime pleased with the results of the transfer window. I feel the most important thing for us is a new midfield. I like our strikers and defenders so I am feeling extremely positive. Would have liked Austin to boost the squad but if I had to give up one of the three it would be him.
Its been a good transfer window for Town. The conference is a tough league to compete in with tight grounds and very little space in the middle of the park. If he can flourish in that environment considering the type of player he is, he could do very well here. From what I have been reading about Andy, he likes to get on the ball. make passes and control the tempo of games. The majority of champ grounds are bigger with more space, so I hope a player like Andy will excell. With hard running and energetic players like Wickham, Edwards, O Connor, Priskin, Norris etc he could be the catalyst we have been looking for. It may take him time to settle in, so we have Bullard in the mean time!!
Lets give a swaying Derby Counting a kick in the nads and get 3 pts!!
We will have to see how often he plays. PJ certainly comes across as confident in his own judgement. It does feel good to have him at the helm. By comparison, Jim and Roy both seemed not to be waving at the fans - but drowning.
I like the idea on us taking a few gambles on players from the lower leagues, they wont all come off, but you only need one to come off and you are quids in. Welcome to Portman Road Andy & well done to Mr Jewell. COYB
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