‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough,’ was Paul Jewell’s message to his young players after 17-year-old Josh Carson’s third goal in a week saw his 10-man Blues to a 1-0 victory at Bristol City on Saturday. Jewell included teenagers Carson and Connor Wickham in his side at Ashton Gate, while left-back Joe Whight — who was offered a two-year professional deal a fortnight ago - was on the bench for the first time.

Jewell said: “If they’re good enough, they can play, it doesn’t matter what team they are playing for — if you’re good enough, you’re old enough, as they say.

“Josh and Connor are big mates and we had another kid who is 17 on the bench on Saturday, Joe Whight, so hopefully the future’s bright.”

Although it was his 30-yard winning strike which made most of the weekend headlines, Jewell said he was also pleased with Carson’s defensive performance: “He’s going to be a good player, Josh Carson.

“He’s bursting on to the scene a little bit, he took my eye in training and he scored a couple of goals in a home game against Crystal Palace and just got on with it and did really well.

“He’s got the confidence to hit it from there. The pleasing thing was that he had to work tirelessly back towards his own goal on numerous occasions as a left-sided player in a 4-4-1. He got back and made some terrific blocks.”

Meanwhile, full-back Carlos Edwards says he’s surprised that the contract situation is still rumbling on and that he hopes his team-mates sign on the dotted line soon: “It’s the core of the team that are out of contract, and we are down the last few games of the season.

“That’s a kick in the face really, not just to the manager, to the players as well, because they want to stay. I don’t know what is the hold up, but I wish them all the best.

“We have to keep the core of the team for next season,” he added. “We need to keep them here.”

Edwards himself will be at Town for at least another year having triggered an appearance clause on his current contract earlier in the season.

Photo: Action Images

BelsteadCav added 08:57 - Apr 19 I'm first , Yey!
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Stadiumofdark added 08:57 - Apr 19 FFs get them signed up... you idiots
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brian_a_mul added 08:59 - Apr 19 Well done Carlos you have been a revelation at RB for us.
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tractorblue99 added 09:34 - Apr 19 As Pj said, the future is very bright for Ipswich Town. We have two very exiting young players already making an impact on the team aswell as having four or five others who will make an impact soon.
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KiwiBlue2 added 09:48 - Apr 19 Carlos' comment "that it is a kick in the face, not just to the manager......." is very revealing. I think that it suggests something of a rift with the manager and key out-of-contract players on one side and Corporal Clegg on the other. It would be marvellous to get the full story ........ perhaps another of the players will provide the next instalment. On a more positive note it has been great to see the re-emergence of young talent in the form of Josh alongside Connor. Things are certainly positive in that area and if the club can stretch to getting the additional 20 goal a season man (and keep Connor who could also hit 20 next season) the disappointments of the last few seasons should fade away as we scale the heights next season.....

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DiamondGezzer added 10:10 - Apr 19 tractorblue :- Add that to the possible new signings come next season and the future really does look bright. Love one of them to be Bullard, even when he has a quiet game, at the drop of a hat he conjour up a piece of magic !
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Worcester added 10:13 - Apr 19 We don't know the whole story. However I would point out to anyone that harps on about it not being cleggy's fault that we have had two managers now both experiencing problems signing players. The constant in Calamity Clegg
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tbullitfc added 10:18 - Apr 19 Is it more of a case that the club is running within its means instead of offering long term deals and wages and add ons that dont work for us.... don't get me wrong we need to keep the core players but jewell isn't stupid if something was going on he isn't the man to not do something about it! COYB
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jas0999 added 10:25 - Apr 19 Although I can understand 'living within your means' - the way ITFC and Clegg have handled the contract situation is completely unacceptable. I believe Delaney once said that Clegg refused to speak to him about it. Norris said his agent contacted the club after he rejected a two year deal - but they wouldn't discuss the situation. It's complete madness and in my opinion 100% Clegg's fault.

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tbullitfc added 10:29 - Apr 19 Yeah I get your point mate, just trying to think of some reason why these deals have stalled , terms are hard to agree especially for the norriss delanys and gmacs this like has been said is there last proper contract ,
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8ashblue added 10:33 - Apr 19 Clegg is a fool and should be seen and not heard. The sooner he's off the better so we cvan get someone who understands how to deal with football matters. Very frustrating for PJ whos trying to get it sorted so he knows what positions need filling for next year.
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jas1972 added 10:43 - Apr 19 There is one other constant that has the ability to stall contract discussions - agents. I would suggest that they are far more likely to be the blockage than anyone at ITFC. Look how much trouble PJ had just getting to speak to Norris' agent. And an interesting point on who is responsible for contract negotiations - it was PJ who was running that particular item, not Clegg.

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Pessimistic added 10:44 - Apr 19 Clegg Must go it is as simple as that. He is totally out of touch with football people and would be better off managing the affiars of Seb Coe, than that of a family football club.
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mark1969 added 11:30 - Apr 19 Okay , times up, lets get this signing situation sorted before the Derby , if not we supporters will have the right to demonstrate our feelings after the game at the Board and particularly Simon Clegg . Clegg where do we stand , issue a proper statement explain what the hell is going on please ! Some of these players have families and could be looking for employment in 2 weeks this is not right , they know it , we know it and so must you ? Perhaps you do not care because you are leaving ? Mr.Clegg time is up sign them or dimiss them but do not leave them or the club in limbo , if necessary force the issue PJ also needs to know where he stands , he will want to sign players in june not the end of August .

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stringtheory added 11:36 - Apr 19 jas1972 - do you find it frustrating when a sensible comment is made (such as yours) that counters the preceding silly and simplistic comments - and it's completely ignored by subsequent comments.
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jas1972 added 12:15 - Apr 19 stringtheory - Quite a lot, but it's been like that for a long time now; only the target name changes! All we can do is keep trying to broaden the discussion and persuade people that there might be more to the subject than at first appears. In all the concern for the players and their families that is being expressed we might like to remember that they (or most of them) are the ones who have actually got contracts to sign and we are waiting for their signature, not the other way round. If they are not happy to sign then presunmably it is because they don't like the terms; and someone being offered £10,000 a weerk is on over half a million a year. I wouldn't mind getting anywhere near that.

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stringtheory added 13:06 - Apr 19 Me too! Agents carry out contract negotiations and players pay them handsomely to get the best deal on their behalf. As soon as their agents say 'that's it, can't squeeze any more here or anywhere else', they'll sign.
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WickedBlue added 13:09 - Apr 19 I'm glad most of you will never sit on jury, we could dispense with the trial and just cut through to the execution......
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lezoad added 14:56 - Apr 19 basically he is talking about wickham and carson maybe hyam
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maximoalex added 15:05 - Apr 19 Lets be honest. Whilst Clegg probably could do more, if he wasn't doing his job, ME would have sacked him by now. Some of the blame has to lie with ME too. He obviously has been the one to set the financial restrictions, as it's his money, and Clegg has as a result worked within this. I agree the contract situation should never ever get to this point, but it's naive to pin the blame on Clegg alone. Keane/Clegg/ME are collectively at fault

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stringtheory added 16:04 - Apr 19 maximoalex - what you say makes sense. with the benfit of hindsight perhaps some decsions would have been different. what we can be sure about is it's not one man let loose to ruin a football club. Also, you cannot underestimate the role of agents in contract negotiations. I know every fan, and I am one, loves to believe that all players put playing for the club above all else but it ain't much like that anymore. Before a player commits to two or even three years he needs an assurance from his agent that there not a better deal avalable here or anywhere else.

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maximoalex added 16:09 - Apr 19 Spot-on, stringtheory. Fans also have to take into account that when it comes to Clegg's 'missed' signings, unfortunately the truth of the matter is that some players may genuinely not want to play for us. Austin for example - Burnley had prem money, and he knew the manager. He owe's Ipswich nothing. Clegg can't be blamed for every problem at this club. At the end of the day, the ship is steadying now, and long may it continue. In Jewell we trust

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TimmyH added 16:25 - Apr 19 I'm good at football but 42 - am I young enough? I have great experience!
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WeWereZombies added 17:52 - Apr 19 Thank you and goodnight Lady Norris, oh look, how delightful - we have found some money to go towards Bullard and/or Keiron plus a hungry lower league striker, together with Tommy Smith vying for first team contention again and that holding / defensive midfielder is identified. This summer Magilton and Keane's plans become history and Jewell builds his team.
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meekreech added 20:25 - Apr 19 Agents are only interested in HOW MUCH MONEY THEY CAN MAKE FOR THEMSELVES they do not generally give a fig for anything else ! They do not care too much for the welfare of their players just in how much they can make from them !!! Agents should not be allowed to play sillies with players lives as they often lead players into silly situations ( Kitson & Lawrence at Portsmouth for instance ) where they end up out of work due to the poor finances but the agent has his money so is not bothered !

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