Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Jewell: Scotland Deserves a Lot of Credit
Jewell: Scotland Deserves a Lot of Credit
Wednesday, 21st Sep 2011 08:54

Blues boss Paul Jewell says he has been impressed with the way striker Jason Scotland has forced his way back into the first team picture this season. However, the Town manager concedes that the Trinidadian could still move on if the right offer comes in with Middlesbrough again linked last night.

Speaking after Monday's 3-0 victory over Coventry in which Scotland netted the third goal, Jewell said: “I think Jason deserves a lot of credit. He’s come back and he’s knuckled down. He was out of the picture to start with but has forced his way into the team.

“He’s fitter than he was last year, in better shape and he’s been great around the place. He’s a bubbly character, I don’t know what he says when he speaks, but he makes a lot of noise and it was nice to see him get a goal.”

Joking aside, the Town boss says the two have talked about Scotland’s situation — his contract is up next summer - with Blackpool, Middlesbrough and others having targeted him prior to the transfer window closing: “I’ve spoken with Jason on numerous occasions and I’ve said that if something comes up for him and it suits him [and us then he can go], but while he’s here, like every player, he’s considered.

“He scored against Leeds and he made the second goal against Leeds. He didn’t start against Blackpool but his attitude in training has been terrific from day one of pre-season.

“He’s about three or four kilos lighter than he was and he’s worked really hard on his condition and fair play to him.”

Jewell says he expected the proposed switch to Blackpool to break down: “It was one of those where I gave him the opportunity to speak to Blackpool and I didn’t ever think for one second that he’d agree terms with Blackpool, so it was a bit to give him a fillip, but he was always going to stay here.”

The Blues boss was pleased with Jimmy Bullard’s contribution against Coventry with the midfielder looking closer to full fitness and more like his old self: “He’s like a bad smell at times, he’s everywhere. He’s enthusiastic and he wants to get on the ball.

“He does make us play, there’s no doubt about that. He gives you heart attacks at times but he makes you play.

“We’ve got a lot of experience in that midfield, everyone knows that, but even experienced players can lose confidence.

“We’re not getting carried away but we have had a lack of confidence in the team, there’s no doubt about that. Once we scored the first goal you could feel the shackles coming off the players and you could see they had an extra spring in their step.”

Jewell says the diamond formation utilised against the Sky Blues is one he used previously with one of his former clubs: “We played it at Wigan on a few occasions. Coventry play that way and we decided to match them up.

“I thought we passed the ball well, were fluent in midfield, a little bit open at times but at least we created opportunities and put them on the back foot.”

Asked whether he’ll have a better idea of where his side is after the difficult next three matches against Boro, West Ham and Brighton, Jewell said: “They’re all tough in this league. I think we’ll have a better idea where we are after 46 games!”


Photo: Action Images



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



fifeblue added 09:10 - Sep 21
Good idea Jewell. Let's sell the only striker we have who seems capable of putting the ball in the net.
0

BornBlue added 09:11 - Sep 21
I'm sure I watched them play Coventry on Monday, or was it Tuesday?
0

We8Norwich added 09:13 - Sep 21
Even if PJ is willing to sell Scotland, don't make it public as this instantly lowers his asking price. Hopefully JS will turn down the kind offer of living in the beautiful city that is Middlesborough and help fire the blue boys up the league table.
0

PhilTWTD added 09:16 - Sep 21
BornBlue

Can't get used to these new-fangled Monday matches! Amended.
0

sharvey22 added 09:19 - Sep 21
Please don't sell Scotland PJ.. It looks like he's finally come good!!
0

HarryfromBath added 09:22 - Sep 21
I really would not let him go, given out unsettled state. I think he was our top scorer in the league last year, and is good for 10 - 15 goals per season.

He is not a prima donna either, unlike at least one other striker we have. He is a decent professional and hugely respected by the greater majority of supporters.
0

makaloon added 09:27 - Sep 21
We watch balls bounce off shins for god knows how long and wonder how he gets in the side, and finally when he looks like a pro footballer we might sell him. I'll never understand football.
0

osborne1nil added 09:40 - Sep 21
Another good performance from Scotland on Monday. Doesn't make sense to me unless the offer is a silly price that the Club would be crazy to turn down, why settle for less? Clearly he has got some form and confidence at present and as has been said could create a good partnership with Chopra. He is obviously ahead of Ellington, Murphy and Priskin at present so why let him go? I would prefer to hear Jewell say "unless someone comes in with a big offer that the Club couldn't refuse, he is not for sale".
0

Bleedingblue added 09:44 - Sep 21
Does his contract not have an option for a further year? Even if it doesn't, could we not offer him one?
0

sonian_blue added 09:51 - Sep 21
Great idea, sell our only on form striker to a promotion rival.
Why dont we give him another year now and therefore avoid the situation we had last year of players contracts running down, you know the situation we were promised would not be allowed to happen again.
Have always said he will score with the RIGHT SERVICE. Why sell????
0

ArnieMsBigToe added 09:54 - Sep 21
Maybe PJ could try a bogof? Buy JS for £1M and get Priskin free??
Do not think that JS should be sold though.
0

Pessimistic added 09:59 - Sep 21
I agree with most of these comments. he should be given an extra year without delay and let us take it from there. No doubting he is fitter and more focussed than he was last season and if PJ is patient he will surely reap the rewards.
0

irishtim added 10:07 - Sep 21
give him a new one year deal with the option of a one year extension
0

petermorris added 10:07 - Sep 21
But Jason Scotland is 32 years old. According to some of you whingeing armchair experts, these sort of players are all 'past it' aren't they?
0

brendanh added 10:18 - Sep 21
What amazes me is that it took the club 14 months to slim JS down to a proper footballer's weight. Isn't it this the job of our fitness coach and dietician? Perhaps we have the wrong ones.
0

Razza added 10:29 - Sep 21
Think you'll find that Keano and Cleggy have put him on so much money that no one else can afford him?
0

BlueMeAway added 10:33 - Sep 21
take scotland off the market. send Murphy back to scotland. get a hungry young striker on loan. sorted.
0

tomisamos added 10:37 - Sep 21
Although Selling him right now seems silly, once more we may need to look at the full picture: If last year the manager had said "well, if the right offer comes Norris and McAuley will go" everyone would have gone bananas, yet the fact of it is that they didn't want to stay. If Scotland doesn't want to stay then why let him go for free? He'll be 33 next year and Jewell isn't leaving him out cold he's also claiming to have had numerous talks, which if that is false, Scotland will no doubt lose confidence. However, hearing a vote of confidence nut a concession he may want to leave could spur him on. On paper it's perhaps a wily move by Jewell but it's also a risky one, as it could lose Scotland's confidence and (once more) turn the fans on him. Probably needn't have bothered telling us...
0

iamipswich added 10:37 - Sep 21
If scotland goes then all our thoughts that ipswich can't ever stick with a good thing long enough to get real results will be justified. Just give him a new 1 or 2 year contract. He's finally settling and now he's going to be shipped off to middlesborough. Please PJ dont sell our only player who i think is a proper professional on and off the field.
0

brogansnose added 10:37 - Sep 21
Can't see him going until the end of the season when he can cash in and be on a free.As for the " if someone comes in at the right price" thing then I would assume that it virtually applies to all our team.
0

BlueMeAway added 10:41 - Sep 21
tomisamos- I do agree BUT ...

1. Does scotland want to go? went to a couple of games pre season and he put in a lot of effort when he got playing time, now hes getting his chance i dont see why he would go at least until the end of the season.
2. Id rather him stay if this form and hard work continues, bag 15 goals for us, then leave on a free.
0

BlueMeAway added 10:46 - Sep 21
Ken Dubz was obviously watching a completely different chopra monday- yes he missed chances but he was a great partner for scotland
0

mpk1111 added 11:09 - Sep 21
Is this really a story? Come on....he is paid thousands a weeks for being fit and scoring the occasional goal for Town, yes he played well but he is not the next messiah as everyone is making him out to be!
0

roytheboy added 11:23 - Sep 21
Jason Scotland will score a lot of goals this season I believe, lets hope that they're whilst he's playing for us, it is clear to see that he has lost weight and is quicker and much more enthusiastic, on Monday, together with Cresswell and Bullard I thought he was our joint best player.
0

petermorris added 11:39 - Sep 21
KenDubz - didn't you watch the same match as me on Monday? Didn't you see Chops' running, or the way he was involved in our goals? You're the 'tw*t' - or one of them anyway. If you were at the match, or even in front of a telly - try and concentrate more instaead of showing off to others.
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