Blues boss Paul Jewell says adding a 20-goals-a-season striker to his squad remains his priority for the summer, along with a holding midfield player. The Town manager is reasonably pleased with his side’s defensive record but says the Blues haven’t scored often enough.

Speaking prior to Saturday’s 1-0 win at Bristol City, Jewell said: “I think what stands out for us this season is that we haven’t got a 20-goal-a-season man.

“Our goals against ratio isn’t that bad. I think we’ve conceded fewer goals than Leeds and about the same as Norwich.

“But our goals for column isn’t good enough to be a promotion-chasing team. That’s one area where we need to improve.“

Jewell says Town can’t rely too much on teenagers Connor Wickham and Josh Carson for goals next season: “We have to remember that they’re only kids.

“Josh has broken on to the scene and done very, very well and Connor’s been spoken about an awful lot and handles it very, very well. But we want to bring competition in at the top end of the pitch, as well as everywhere else.”

Adding a holding midfielder is also very much on his summer wish list: “I think another area where we need to improve is by bringing in a defensive midfield player. We’re very attacking and the lads have done great but we just leave ourselves a bit open to the counter-attack, certainly at home.

“We’ve got to have that discipline from a holding midfield player just to give the back four a bit of protection.”

Jewell wasn’t aware that former boss Roy Keane was looking at similar players last summer and had come close to signing Shaun Derry, someone who has subsequently become one of almost-certainly-promoted QPR’s key men.

The Town manager says like Rangers, his successful sides have featured a number of senior players in that vein: “The promotion teams that we had at Wigan and Bradford were called ‘Dad’s Army’ sometimes because we had experienced players and sometimes you need that experience, added to youth, to get you up.”

Photo: Action Images

pazelle added 13:22 - Apr 17 Do you we have any scouts abroad? I can't think of many realistic targets in the UK who would fit the bill. Simon Cox would be cool or Brett Pitman but aside from that they're either too expensive or rubbish in the uk
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Garv added 14:03 - Apr 17 Wickham has 8 goals in half a season and the first half he was injured for some and left out for some. He's improved massively since last season and he could come close to 20 I think. Saying that I agree we do need to find someone else as we can't rely on him.
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strikalite added 14:30 - Apr 17 We will need to bring in at least two decent strikers next season because the season is long and tough and players lose form and pick up knocks etc...I'd be scouting the two leagues below and possibly taking a look up in Scotland too, infact, while we're on the subject of players possibly good enough, Tom Hately is a quality youngster worth looking at..
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Blue041273 added 15:22 - Apr 17 Wickham is the man, if we can keep him. I'm confident he has goals in him whether he plays up front on his own or as one of a pair. I'm worried that this suggests that he might be on his way. For me Wickham and Carson are the future. Have faith. Good times are coming!
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mikewright2 added 15:38 - Apr 17 Strikalite do you play football manager by any chance :P I think ishmael miller or craig makail-smith would be the man
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Mungo added 15:58 - Apr 17 MikeWright2 - I think Ishmael Miller is a good call. I'd like to know how much Watford would want for Danny Graham. I suspect PJ will be looking to bring quite a few players in (especially if the out of contract players leave) so there may not be huge fees available for any one player... If we are looking at low cost options then maybe Ellington? - Jewell might be able to get the best out of him? Clayton Donaldson and Craig Davies have both scored over 20 goals in League 2 and are available on free transfers, so may be worth a punt as part of a 'risk spreading' exercise?

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tractorblue99 added 16:07 - Apr 17 mungo you do remember the last player we signed from watford after he had one good season dont you? I think billy sharp looks a good bet as well as adam le fondre. We could go for Nicky Maynard but he could sign a new deal which would mean we would have to pay a lot more for him. But we all know that theres only one man...grant holt!!! ONLY JOKING.
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jas0999 added 17:45 - Apr 17 We need a striker so pleased to hear this. Hopefully we will then play two up front at home.
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bluecrossy added 18:34 - Apr 17 Don't even joke about that tractorblue! How about someone like Jeremie Aliadiere? Free transfer and still only 28. Might have a goal or two in him? Perhaps give him a trial and see what he's like.
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TractorPaddy added 19:00 - Apr 17 JORDAN RHODES
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I_AM_GOD added 19:20 - Apr 17 Bluecross - did you miss the point of the article??? "might have a goal or two in him" - we need a 20 a year man!!!
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are_these_the_days added 19:55 - Apr 17 TractorPaddy You read my mind
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Mungo added 19:57 - Apr 17 tractorblue99 - yes I do remember the last striker we signed from Watford. Perhaps we could send him back there as part of any deal! I know what you mean about one season wonders but Graham has hit double figures for the past 4 seasons in a row - it's been a while since any Town player could say that! Good call on Maynard, but again would depend on how much Bristol City want for him! If there are Prem teams after him that should put us out the bidding!

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andygizmo added 20:32 - Apr 17 Only 3 weeks ago Maynard was being talked about as £5m move to Everton. Too much for us. Le Fondre - Rotherham quoted QPR £4m... dont think so. Rhodes - Would never come back here after the way his father was treated. Aliadiere - Injured far to often and has never been a 20 a season man. Ellington - Had it past it Ishmail Miller.- Legs seem shot. Now Graham - Good finisher quick proven at this level but watch QPR snatch him. They will not want Helguson leading their attack next season. Goodwillie - apart from a slight issue with behaviour off the field will finish at this level. Outside bet - Iain Hume. But please dont get excited at the first talk of a name. PJ will try to kep things quiet to stop others nipping in and out bidding on the wages.

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bluecrossy added 20:37 - Apr 17 I_AM_GOD - its called a figure of speech. Just saying maybe give him a trial and see what his fitness is like. PJ might see some potential.
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fourth added 20:44 - Apr 17 Yes, its a matter of the format Isn't it a matter of a couple with good understanding. What do you do with a small striker? Carson? Well I suppose you need a big breaker (Wickham?) Making space? It looks as if there is new ground to be ploughed Clearly the Carson solution is difficult. Should we adjust to it?
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J4ck22 added 20:48 - Apr 17 @tractorblue99 - Priskin scored 15 goals in 68 for Watford... Graham has scored more than Priskin has scored for them AND us in one season... Yeah so don't try to compare the two together because it just doesn't work ;)
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Tractorog added 23:05 - Apr 17 I'm available and my wage demands are very reasonable...
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thebeat added 23:08 - Apr 17 Billy Sharp, Craig Mackail Smith,
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WeirdFishes added 23:41 - Apr 17 Tractorog all the way...watabout Jose Baxter on loan, or rickie Lambert...
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devontractorboy added 23:47 - Apr 17 Jon Walters? lol
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J4ck22 added 23:48 - Apr 17 Mackail Smith would be the obvious choice, but it wouldn't hurt to look abroad...
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tractorblue99 added 23:57 - Apr 17 i thought norwich made a bid for mackail smith? anyway just had another player who came into my head. Theres some kid whose been banging them in for chesterfield (i think) but his name escapes me...
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tearle1974 added 01:36 - Apr 18 Ricky Lambert (Southampton) & Ryan Lowe (Bury) would be good players up front, Rickie Lambert has not scored less than 20 goals for the last 3 seasons and Ryan Lowe a hungry striker that may be 32 but will be there to bang them in.
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bluelady added 05:04 - Apr 18 Paul mariner?!!!!!
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