Midfielder Jimmy Bullard and boss Paul Jewell are reported to have fallen out over the player’s refusal to relocate from his home in Cobham, Surrey to a new base nearer to Town. Bullard was dropped to the bench for Saturday’s game against Watford after a series of under-par performances.

The commitment of Bullard - who is said to be the club’s highest earner on a wage of £18,000-a-week — is also claimed to have been questioned by team-mates, an “Ipswich insider” telling the Daily Mail: “Jimmy has been bragging about his wages and some of the players are unimpressed by this, as well as his attitude when he larks about in training.

“The gaffer has told him he is unlikely to play if he doesn’t make the effort to move into the area.”

Previous managers Roy Keane and George Burley have similarly demanded that their players live close to the club. Keane fell out with Ben Thatcher and Kevin Lisbie over their refusal to move to Suffolk.

Bullard’s form has dipped in recent weeks during the club's seven-game run of defeats, having been one of the key performers during the earlier good run which saw the Blues into the play-off places.

The 33-year-old signed on a free transfer in the summer after his contract had been terminated by former club Hull City, having enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell at Portman Road last season.

Photo: Action Images

bugblatter added 11:55 - Dec 6 Not the Daily Mail again. Such a reliable paper. Must be true...
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Marshalls_Mullet added 12:03 - Dec 6 Never seemed to cause any problems at Hull. Oh, hang on....
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rosseden added 12:04 - Dec 6 id bet my salary this is made up by the daily mail. ME sorted out JB contract, not PJ...... lets be real...... lost a shed load of games on the bounce, manager under pressure, higher earner like JB known for causing issues elsewhere and with the Hull case ongoing...... cant see its too hard to work out how they dreamt it up.... but doubt its true and would suspect its just plain old lazy journalism......

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goperryrevs added 12:07 - Dec 6 Quite. I can't believe anyone actually believes this story is true. Newspapers make rubbish up. Get used to it.
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Surco72 added 12:09 - Dec 6 Whether the story is true or not Jimmy needs to have a look at himself and sort it out he hasn't got that many playing days left and has gone from being a hero here to not getting a game in a very short space of time .You will be a long time retired Jimmy ,time to live up to your playing rep not your lifestyle rep
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irishtim added 12:13 - Dec 6 Until the club makes official statement its better we reserve judgement imo.
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Basil_Smallpiece added 12:16 - Dec 6 The General lives in Surrey, too. So do I.
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village_blue added 12:24 - Dec 6 Get rid of Bullard asap please. I've said before that he is an overpaid.overrated,injury prone Pridonna who is all about money. Free up his wages for somebody who really cares.
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Liverpool_blu added 12:28 - Dec 6 I am sure with his wages, He could afford an Appartment near Ipswich for when he is training or playing, then go home when not. Get it together Bullard....
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Mark added 12:31 - Dec 6 This would explain a lot. I hope it is untrue. Perhaps Jimmy would like to speak to the fans to reassure us?! £18K a week, again if true, is a lot of money. £1.9M over his two year contract, plus a signing on fee probably. However, a lot of people would have thought this was excellent value in the summer as we all wanted him so much. What a let down.
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shoopdelang added 12:31 - Dec 6 And so things get worse...
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Eireannach_gorm added 12:31 - Dec 6 Use the Andre Villas-Boas solution, let him train with the reserves and not use the team car park. That should dilute his arrogance.
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Lambrettaman added 12:34 - Dec 6 Would this be a good time to say 'I told you so'? <insertswhistlingsmiley>
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exeterblu added 12:45 - Dec 6 The Daily Mail is the source? Is this the same Daily Mail that is oft referred to as the Daily Hate/ Daily Bile, renowned for the very poor quality of its journalism, for often printing untrue and unverified stories? The same Daily Mail renowned for its , frankly, balmy editorial stance ? The same Daily Mail who sponsored and advocated on behalf of the blackshirts, and still maintains a bigoted and extreme right wing stance? The same Daily Mail that has been lambasted for its lowbrow cobsession with celebrity lifestile and obsession (and destructive nature towards) Pricess Dianan and more recently the Mcanns ? Thought so - in that case, jog on DM !!

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bluearmy89 added 12:50 - Dec 6 Cobham is a nice place.
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Postmaster added 12:53 - Dec 6 If true it explains an awful lot about recent performances from "St Jimmy". They have looked disinterested and he has been yards off the pace in most appearences. Perhaps focus should be on PJ and the players who want to turn out rather than some joker that only puts in effort when it suits. I think even the most ardent Bullard fan had a slight fear he was only in it for the money just a shame it looks like it may be true. Firmly believe that good things will happen at ITFC given time.

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Jon_456 added 12:56 - Dec 6 Bullard has his own driver, and was sleeping in the back with his duvet on the way to the game on saturday, and on the way back, saw him in the car park when he arrived.
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simonsays added 13:02 - Dec 6 Deja Vu. Keane/Thatcher/Lisbie again!
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tomisamos added 13:03 - Dec 6 If it is true quite right he should move. Although I agree with bugblatter, who's comment made me laugh. Jimmy does need to look at himself. If he's not careful he's going to end his entire career, if he does a Hull on us too, no one is going to want to ever sign him again. Hopefully someone at the club can sort him out...
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airliner added 13:06 - Dec 6 And Ivar Ingimarson lives in a place called Crowthorne near Reading in berkshire but he may have lodgings near Ipswich. thats a fair journey as well. have to doubt the daily mails story as they are looking for anything to beat the player and manager with.
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OnlyOneSuperJim added 13:18 - Dec 6 Time to grow up Bullard - Stop acting a clown all the time or clear off ... thats if anyone else would take you
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AlanMahon2011 added 13:19 - Dec 6 Septic Clegg out
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SouperJim added 13:23 - Dec 6 Read as far as Daily Fail.
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jimmyjames added 13:24 - Dec 6 wasnt there a story on this website a month or so ago, about Bullard getting stuck in traffic, ditching his car, and only just making it to portman road minutes before the usual team deadline to appear? Jewell i think cracked a joke at the time saying jimmy did more running getting to the ground than on the pitch for that particular match. if indeed it is affecting his performance then it needs to be addressed (and should have been in the first place?)

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WarkyWonderLand added 13:28 - Dec 6 Apparently bullard challenged jewell as to why he hasn't moved to suffolk permanently and is only renting a house with mccarthy in dedham! Win win for both as they won't lose out on their homes for failure! Fine coach that mccarthy with great track record! At least the dark lord to set up a permanent base. Those going to barnsley should be getting their clegg out banners prepared! Coyb

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