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

DiamondGezzer added 11:43 - Sep 21 Read somewhere his wages were 10 thousand a week, maybe so, but surely playing the way he is now [ if we can forget about age ] the Chopra/Scotland partnership has to be nutured ?
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UK_Haulier added 11:48 - Sep 21 Really good performance on Monday night, looks a lot better than last season, and much more of the striker that played for Swansea!
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Tractamatt added 11:48 - Sep 21 Could be a big mistake what with Chopra not exactly setting the world alight in terms of scoring, I was'nt Scotlands biggest fan but now I can't see how we can do without him
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chepstowblue added 12:11 - Sep 21 I must admit that at the start of the season it wouldnt hav bothered me had he never played 4 us again,but his movement appears sharper,1st touch better and the ball is sticking,more importantly hes finding the net.Confidence can be the difference between a player looking half decent or dreadful at this level, certainly worth hanging onto at present.
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saffronblue added 12:45 - Sep 21 When played in 4-4-2 he looked good, excellent foil for Chopra, I would like him to be offered and sign an extension otherwise he will leave for free at the end of the year. Offer him a big promotion bonus to keep him focussed. If he doesn't want to sign, personally I would sell him on in January.
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Blue041273 added 13:06 - Sep 21 Having joined us from the Premiership I would be surprised if his wages were not more than £10K pw. And therein lies the nub. He may be flavour of the month amongst the fans at the moment but there is no way that his contract will be extended on his current terms meaning that he will walk away for nothing at the end of the season. All PJ is saying is that if there is offer acceptable to the Club and the terms are agreeable to JS then it would be considered. All in all I wouldn't worry at the moment. There are few teams out there that would take a gamble on offering JS a package superior to what he has at the moment. Add on the fact that JS is clearly enjoying his football presently and there is no incentive for him to go. Things can change of course, and quickly but unless 'Boro can offer him a 2 year + contract on money close to his current package I can't see anything happening. And interestingly, it seems that PJ knows this. Though why he thinks sending him to Blackpool to discuss terms believing that it was a fruitless exercise would give him a fillip baffles me.

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alfromcol added 16:35 - Sep 21 The big difference with Scotland on Monday was that at long last and months of trying, the ball was being played up to the front runners at ground level rather than the hoof ball we have grown accustomed to. With Andrews also pushing forward this makes more space for Scotland and Chopra
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are_these_the_days added 17:03 - Sep 21 alfromcol spot on mate - you pinched my post
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pmason added 17:58 - Sep 21 JEWELL just wants him out so he can buy another has-been over the hill end of his career waster ... JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT
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tomisamos added 18:32 - Sep 21 itfc loyal, agree with you, I was just musing at some of the possibilities which sometimes get forgotten, if he keeps scoring this season I'd rather keep him! pmason, you're comment is about as surprising as presents on Christmas. Scotland is the same age as Bullard and Bowyer arguably played better than them both last year at the age of 33 in a higher league. Ellington is behind him. Cresswell and JET are early twenties, Stockdale is 25, Sonko and Collins must both be 30? (all of those are younger) Chopra is younger than 32. Please get over yourself.

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Bergholtblue added 18:49 - Sep 21 I think the point here is that his contract is up in the summer. Nothing has been reported about extending his contract, but if there isn't to be an extension, or he won't committ then it is better to sell rather than let him walk away in the manner of Macca and Norris.
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StanwayBlue added 20:04 - Sep 21 pmason why do you bother?
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jas0999 added 20:28 - Sep 21 Agreed. Played completely out of position by PJ for 8 months. Finally he has realised that Scotland will score goals in a 4-4-2. NOT as an isolated striker. Better late than never I suppose.
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tomisamos added 11:19 - Sep 22 He was only playing Scotland the same way as Keane had, it would naturally have taken a while to realise Keane hadn't raised a particularly good team and it needed to start again, hence the 8 month period it has taken to build a new team and the fact that results haven't been great yet...
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StochesStotasBlewe added 14:40 - Sep 22 pmason. Shutup. PJ is giving Scotland his chance now & so far, he is taking it & starting to build a bit of a partnership with Chopra. Well done to him for shedding some weight & getting himself fitter. Here is hoping that we may now have 2 strikers who may be able to hit the net regularly.
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