Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Jewell: The Duke Has Something to Prove
Jewell: The Duke Has Something to Prove
Tuesday, 5th Jul 2011 09:27

Town boss Paul Jewell says new striker Nathan Ellington has something to prove to himself as well as other people after losing his direction in recent seasons. The man known as the Duke was one of the stars of the Blues manager’s Wigan side, netting 24 goals as the Latics pipped Town to Premier League promotion in 2004/05.

Jewell said: “Nathan is only 29 and I think he’s lost his way a bit over the last two or three seasons. I sold him for £3.5 million to West Brom when they were in the Premier League, then he went to Watford for £4 million and since then it hasn’t really happened.

“The Duke is very unpredictable. He can drive you to distraction one minute and he can stick one in the top corner the next.

“He’s powerful, he’s quick, he’s good in the air and I also think he’s got an awful lot to prove to himself and to other people because in the last couple of seasons he hasn’t done himself justice. I think he’s a fine addition on a free transfer.”

The Town manager also brought Michael Chopra in from Cardiff for £1.5 million, someone he says is used to playing in a team competing at the top of the Championship: “Michael Chopra’s obviously a proven goalscorer at this level.

“He’s quick, he gets across the front of players and he knows what it’s about. He’s played in a Cardiff side at the top end of this league for the last couple of years, so he’s used to winning.

“He scores goals, he’s an all-round good player. He’ll give us that little bit of pace we lacked at times last season in order to get in behind teams. He’ll give us that option and his goalscoring record stands up to scrutiny.”

Jewell still plans to add another striker this summer — with Jason Scotland and Tamás Priskin perhaps set to move on — and says he would have done so even if Connor Wickham hadn’t left for Sunderland: “Just because Connor’s left, it doesn’t mean we’ll have to buy another striker — we were going to get one anyway.”

The Blues boss may now be looking to add height to his attacking options with his former Derby frontman Rob Hulse out of favour at QPR and Sheffield United's Ched Evans linked on a number of occasions, along with Ellington's Wigan strike partner Jason Roberts, although the Blackburn striker recently dismissed claims he was on the way to the Blues.


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



robdaful added 09:47 - Jul 5
Yeah Knock them in!
0

Josh_Ippy added 09:51 - Jul 5
I really think that Ellington will be like Mcgoldrick for Forest. Comes on and scores occasionally but is brought on just to freshen things up. I think he could notch around 10 goals this season, wouldn't that be a great buy on a free!!
0

Josh_Ippy added 09:52 - Jul 5
He's also a capeable starter !
0

Josh_Ippy added 09:53 - Jul 5
And one last thing, could he play upfront on his own?
0

ipswichm8 added 09:57 - Jul 5
I think he should play on his own because he is capable or he could play with priskin or chopra because they would play really well together together swell everway he would net loads of goals
0

Josh_Ippy added 09:58 - Jul 5
And another thing i have been reminded of, he's quick and strong.
0

Josh_Ippy added 09:59 - Jul 5
i thik so to
0

Josh_Ippy added 09:59 - Jul 5
think*
0

Josh_Ippy added 10:01 - Jul 5
Sorry about that !
0

johnhazelbum added 10:06 - Jul 5
That was 6 years ago. Why should he be able to rekindle that form when he hasn't done it since?
0

Bluearmy added 10:14 - Jul 5
God sakd johnhazel do you ever say anything postive man mostly what i read from you on the articles on here are the same negative view after another.

I hope Ellington proves people like johnhazlel wrong
0

Marshalls_Mullet added 10:18 - Jul 5
Hope he can, but his form for a few seasons certainly raises questions over his attitude. Assuming he was on £15k per week you would think he would knuckle down.

But thats the reason he's on a free.

Hope it works out, good luck!!
0

johnhazelbum added 10:35 - Jul 5
You're right Bluearmy, I am a bit negative but the signings are players that would have worked 5 years ago. We're not a charity for Paul Jewels old mates and past it players.It would be nice to sign someone that would appreciate in value and not loose out all the time on players we should reasonably have a chance of signing.
But good luck to everyone and while they wear an Ipswich shirt I'm hoping for the best.
0

Big_Foot_Blue added 10:37 - Jul 5
Johnhazelbum, where appropriate, Jewell has signed them i.e. Cresswell
0

meekreech added 10:46 - Jul 5
Some players need to feel a manager has faith in them to perform , PJ has shown him that and so he will perform !
0

Bluearmy added 10:49 - Jul 5
Oh yeah Ellington signing i might agree with you there johnhazel but surely the rest of the signings you must be happy with because i am.

We signed chopra who last season played 27 games (9 as sub) , injured a number of weeks of the season, behide bellamy and bothroyd in the pecking order and still scored 11 goals imagine what he could do with a full season with us.

Cressewell sounds a good promising signing and if West brom rated him then there must be something good about the player but i can't really judge until i see him play but what i heard/read it sounds promisng.

Ingmarrson another signing i was pleased about always rated him as a player personally and is a very good addition for us at CB lets hope we get another good CB to partner him.

If bowyer signs then what a very good signing that would be because in CM with him aboard we will have that steel/ fight we have needed for ages in that area.


Overall johnhazel my attuide to signings is i don't care what age they are if they perform well for our club that all that counts really.

So far i been pleased with PJ signings and i hope he continues in the same way
0

dirtyboy added 10:56 - Jul 5
Form is temporary, class is permanent.
0

bluelady added 11:00 - Jul 5
If he doesnt cut the mustard his career is over so I personally think if he wants to stay in football into his mid thirties he has to prove himself.... also he clearly has the skill set its the attitude that has been missing probably lost confidence and what better than a manager who knew you at your best believing you can get back to that.... I think he may just be a suprise package
0

roytheboy added 11:21 - Jul 5
Welcome on board Nathan, we're really optimistic now, we know what you are capable of.
0

Bergholtblue added 11:31 - Jul 5
Don't you just love it. Neither player has kicked a ball in earnest for Town yet, but they are either the greatest thing since sliced bread or past it.

By the end of next season there are going to be a lot of upset people whilst the other half thumb their noses and say I told you so.

Judge them after a few months.
0

DiamondGezzer added 11:48 - Jul 5
Dirtyboy :- Totally agree !
Bluelady :- ditto.
I've got the funny feeling that a lot of people might just be in for a suprise with ' The Duke '.
0

ElephantBlue added 11:54 - Jul 5
Well said bergholt. The way some people talk on here I am surpised they even bother to watch a game. We might as well just compare the team squads and then simply decide the final league placings from that. Screw actually letting the players on the pitch to play football. I have faith in PJ and I think the duke will be great this season.
0

blue_em_away added 12:04 - Jul 5
^^^^^^^
With you on that dude!!
0

cammeray added 12:08 - Jul 5
All the best to the new lads for the season, I'm behind them.
Side note, its good to see a debate on the new singings so soon in summer. I believe once Jewell is finsihed we'll have 6 or 7 new players and I haven't seen this much turnover in a while, usually one or two additios at most. Some good platers recruited without actually splashing the real cash yet. Feeling more positive each week, couple of surpises still to come I reckon.
0

notoriousITFC added 12:23 - Jul 5
Giles Barnes might be worth a punt on a free...still only 22 years old, just been released from West Brom...
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024