Blues manager Paul Jewell says veteran midfielder Lee Bowyer has been Town’s best midfielder in recent weeks. The 34-year-old free summer signing from Birmingham began the season slowly having missed the start of pre-season but in recent weeks has been a key element of the Blues’ midfield diamond.

Jewell said: “When you look at players like Lee Bowyer, Keith Andrews and Jimmy Bullard, people think that because they’re experienced they can settle straight into a team. It’s not always the case.

“He’s playing a different role than he has for a while and I think he’s probably been our best midfield player in our last couple of games. I think he’s enjoying his football.”

The Town boss says Bowyer works well with youngster Aaron Cresswell breaking from left-back: “Because he’s playing on the left of the diamond him and Cressy have linked up really well in the last couple of games.

“We have got a lot of experience in the team, but there are one or two young players — Cressy, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Reece Wabara - we’re not all old men.”

Jewell says one-time England international Bowyer is keeping up with those youngsters despite being the latter years of his career: “He’s as fit as a flea, his stats are right up there. OK, he’s getting on a bit, but his enthusiasm has never waned.

“Like all the players, after a bit of a sticky start, we’re starting to look a better team than we were a few months ago.”

The Blues manager says the former Leeds, Newcastle, Charlton and West Ham man isn’t quite as some imagine him: “People have this idea of Lee Bowyer as being a terrier but he’s a really quietly spoken guy off the pitch, a nice guy.

“He’s settled in and he’s enjoying his football. When you get to the age that he’s at, what you want to do is enjoy your football.

“If you don’t enjoy it at that age you may as well pack up. He’s first in of a morning and he’s enjoying it.”

Photo: Action Images

ArnieMsBigToe added 10:18 - Oct 22 I seem to remember a few years ago, Harry Rednapp was managing Portsmouth when they were in the championship, & he did exactly what PJ is doing now. He got some older players that couldn't cut it in the premiership any more. They were still good enough for the championship however. . . Portsmouth were promoted as champions!!
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HarryfromBath added 10:46 - Oct 22 Bowyer did not play in the Peterborough catastrophe, and the team had no balance at all in midfield. I have huge respect for PJ's ability to assess players, and he is spot on with Lee Bowyer.
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HarryfromBath added 10:49 - Oct 22 Bowyer did not play in the Peterborough catastrophe, and the team had no balance at all in midfield. I have huge respect for PJ's ability to assess players, and he is spot on with Lee Bowyer.
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itfcjc added 10:50 - Oct 22 Lee Bowyer ma lord Lee Bowyer OOOO OOO Lee Bowyer Lee Lee Lee Bowyer
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Mark added 11:24 - Oct 22 After a few initial doubts, Bowyer has proved to be another good signing of many. Jewell has an excellent hit rate at signings, especially as he has spent so little on fees. Okay, Emmanuel-Thomas has a lot to prove and Drury didn't make it, but Stockdale, Cresswell, Collins, Sonko, Bullard, Andrews, Chopra...Jewell has rebuilt Ipswich and improved us despite the losses of McAuley, Norris and Wickham. Keep up the good work Paul!

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Back_The_Boss added 11:33 - Oct 22 Well done Lee, up the Town.
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irishtim added 12:01 - Oct 22 keep it going lads fans smiling again please keep it that way
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Guthrum added 12:50 - Oct 22 My only concern with Bowyer is that he does pick up a fair few yellow cards (three in the last four games). Probably a product of his no-nonsense style and the position he plays, but at some point he's likely to be missing games through suspension - and he's so much of an asset to the formation that we don't want that to be happening.
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BlueBadger added 14:17 - Oct 22 Bowyer is playing like a racist version of Tommy Miller at the moment.
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tractorbhoy added 15:42 - Oct 22 He is too old. The man is 34. Yeah il admit playing very well this year but what are we going to do in 3 years time when he has retired?
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Keaneish added 07:57 - Oct 23 Bowyer and Bullard to start in the middle of a 4 man midfield with Martin and Edwards against Millwall. About time Bullard's role changed to allow him to get forward a bit more like he did when he was on loan. Andrews on the bench and Leadbitter to miss out. Kennedy and Wabara to take the full back slots if cressy is banned.
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chepstowblue added 18:36 - Oct 23 Has certainly improved over the last month-6wks. Did look 3yrds off the pace,now only looks 1. The midfield has been collectively poor against pompey and Palace and when the passing goes astray the old legs have been found wanting.I dont want wholesale changes as the performances at Boro,west ham and Brighton were excellent but sometimes these good old pros can be shown up alarmingly by young players with half decent ability.

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