Boss Paul Jewell says strike pair Jason Scotland and Michael Chopra have played a pivotal role in helping to turn the Blues’ season around. Scotland was out of the side at the start of the season with the Town manager seeing him as an example to other players on the fringes of the squad at present.

Overall, Jewell is pleased with his attacking options: “I think we’ve got some good strikers. Don’t rule Tamás Priskin out, we’ve got Daryl Murphy, Nathan Ellington and we’ve got Emmanuel-Thomas who can play up front.

“But at the moment, if everyone’s fit and firing, Jason Scotland and Michael Chopra are a good partnership.”

The Liverpudlian is delighted with Scotland’s attitude: “I am very pleased with Jason and he’s an example to the likes of Tamás and people like that who think they’re nowhere near the team because Tamás was ahead of Jason in the pecking order at the start of the season.

“Jason has knuckled down, OK he’s in the final year of his contract, but he’s got fitter, he’s lost weight, he’s in good nick and he’s playing well - he’s been a vital part.

“People talk about a lot of other players, but Jason Scotland has been a big player for us in this revival because he’s held the ball up, he’s brought people into play and he’s got us goals as well.

“He’s an example to people who are out of the team because we nearly let him go to Blackpool. He’s grasped the nettle, he’s knuckled down and I couldn’t be more pleased for him. I hope it continues.”

Although Jewell appears unlikely to change his side for this evening’s game against Portsmouth, he does see one drawback with his current strike pair: “We’re not the biggest team in the world, that is one negative for us.

“At times at set plays we look a little bit vulnerable, although having said that Saturday’s was the first goal we’ve conceded from a set play this season. We’ve competed well without being the biggest team.

“Scotland and Chopra have caused teams untold problems and they’ve enabled us to pass the ball because they’ve kept hold of it when it’s gone up to them."

Photo: Action Images

ipsuefa added 08:40 - Oct 18 I honestly never knew what all the criticism of Scotland was all about anyway. Considering his lack of starts last season and the fact he was often up top on his own with poor service aswell he done as good as he could of. Now he is with another top nothc striker with good service it is no surprise at all he is now flourishing. He is a scorer of many types of goals plus always seems to have a smile on his face and I fully expect 15-20 goals from him this season.

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roytheboy added 08:45 - Oct 18 Jason has proved himself to be a very important player for us, hopefully there will be no more talk of him moving on.
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saffronblue added 09:11 - Oct 18 Playing well, would like to see him given another year, there is a risk that if we go up (we can dream) he may not be able to cut it in the PL but would still offer him an extension.
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suffolkpoker added 09:20 - Oct 18 Scotland has been my surprise this season, we have had somy many important signings like bullard, chopra, creswell etc but he is playing a big role. he aint bad for a pie eater :P
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MVBlue added 09:29 - Oct 18 Jason's alright in my opinion. Good goals to games ratio i'd imagine. Reminds me of David Johnson.
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KenDubZ added 09:36 - Oct 18 Chopra ... Scotland ........ YOU ANIMALS !!!
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das_bones added 10:00 - Oct 18 Keep banging em in chaps!!!
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arablue added 10:15 - Oct 18 Jason should take JET under his wings...teach one or two things about the hard work needed to succeed...
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irishtim added 10:39 - Oct 18 long may the partnership continue to be fruitful
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muhrensleftfoot added 10:55 - Oct 18 No surprise that Scotland is doing well. last season when selected, he was up front on his own, and we were pumping high balls up to him. No wonder he wasn't doing too well. Proving this season, that if we play him with a strike partner, and give him the ball on the ground he is an excellent player
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blueherts added 11:08 - Oct 18 Agree Muhren - amazing when a player plays in the right role suddenly comes alive - Been a great duo , best we have had up front in years . next two games gonna be tricky . but hope we put em to the sword and get our GD back in the Plus column ..
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clive_baker added 11:15 - Oct 18 I agree ipsuefa, Scotland has always done well for us. He's a proper striker who knows where the back of the net is. 45 goals in 90 games for Swansea (albeit some of these in League 1) speaks for itself. Didn't get a chance at Wigan and came here and did well last season. He scored 10 goals and finished top scorer in a poor side, playing up front on his own. If anything, he didn't get much football when we started picking up under Jewell. Knuckled down and has started this season well with some vital goals. Long may it continue!!!

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mschultz76 added 11:15 - Oct 18 Jason Scotland is an excellent player in the championship and a very good finisher. Unlike Priskin - Scotland always look like scoring a goal when he gets the change. I stronlgy believe that all the negative people out there, who have been saying lots of negative things about Scotland last season did not watch the games and saw the whole picture. Scotland scored 10 goals last season as a lone stiker and now looks even fitter and sharper. Sign him up for another year please.

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JTL279 added 11:15 - Oct 18 Key points are he has lost weight and got fitter. Always had the ability but when you are carrying too much weight it does tell. Think Jewell putting his top from last season on the seats in the Cobbold simply reinforced the fact. Seems to relish playing as part of a pair, sharing the workload. Long may it continue. We will need cover as one of them will take a knock at some point.

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pazelle added 11:17 - Oct 18 "Don't rule Priskin out"??!?!?!? Excellent
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Sparky85 added 11:45 - Oct 18 Pazelle, i think Priskin is done pal! Chops and Scotland with Ellington and Murphy as back up not forgetting JET. Fact is that Priskin is 6th choice and yet to make a squad this year. I truly do believe that like scotland, if Priskin was given a few games with a partner and decent service he will score goals, but there are too many players ahead of him. Shame but time to go! Anyways having Scotland come good is like having another signing this year. If he and chopra can score 15 to 20 each then we do have a real chance this year. Still not getting too excited, but its good to have faith in the team and the manager!

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Bergholtblue added 14:19 - Oct 18 Fair play to JS. You can read betwen the lines of PJ's comments in that he would still prefer to have a tall striker up front to get on the end of the big punt forwards, but Scotland's work rate and goals are keeping Murphy and JET out of the team. Chopra has also stepped in with some goals after a barren spell, there must have been times when he was uncertain about keeping his place. This competition for places is great for the future and we need them in all areas of the pitch.

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bluearmy4life added 17:51 - Oct 18 Massive potential at the best can score 40-50 goals between them. Really pleased with Scotland deserves his place in the side and the way he is going a new contract.
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taylor15 added 19:21 - Oct 18 what really makes me laugh, is when fans criticise a player, and then they start to play well, and the fan says, "i always rated him", when for a fact, they criticised them too! i will hold my hand up, and admit that i wasn't happy with scotland, as i called him, slow, fat and lazy. i can now eat my words. really pleased with how the two of them have played this season. however, i really would like to see 'the duke' play a bit more. he's quick, powerful, and good in the air, so i wouldn't mind if we saw nathan get a start. finally, priskin is a class act. and i really hope he goes out on loan, proves what he can offer, and then push into our first team! anyway, really pleased with the performances tonight, and i'm thinking a 2-0 win for town tonight! would be nice for bullard to get on the score sheet! chopra and bullard! COYB!

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