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Jewell: Drury Has Been Terrific
Jewell: Drury Has Been Terrific
Monday, 5th Mar 2012 06:00

Town boss Paul Jewell has paid tribute to midfielder Andy Drury for his terrific performances since he broke back into the side in January. The 28-year-old, who joined the Blues from Luton for £150,000 just over a year ago, scored a brilliant first home goal to complete Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Bristol City.

Jewell said: “I think he has been terrific since he got back in the team. He’s played with a freedom, he’s a good footballer and it was lovely to see him score a goal. I thought he was terrific but I thought the whole team from back to front was really good.”

The Town boss is delighted to see Drury impressing after he came close to joining loan club Crawley on a permanent basis shortly before winning his place back at Portman Road: “I think when we first signed Andy people raised eyebrows and when he first came I thought he did well. In his first full game for us against Portsmouth here I thought he was terrific.

“Then, for whatever reason, he didn’t get back in the team and he kept getting substituted. We had a chat at the start of the season and an opportunity came for him to go out on loan at Crawley and I think that shows you the benefit of players going out on loan rather than sitting on their backsides not playing.

“Andy wanted to play, he came back used to playing football and I think he’s been terrific since he’s come back and deserves huge credit.

"And also Luke Hyam," he added, "who was very unlucky to be left out against Bristol City.

“It was a big call, a tough decision for me. I decided, having watched him in training. Luke can count himself really unlucky, but Andy Drury was terrific.”

He says former builder Drury is showing the type of spirit he wants to see all through his side: “We want hungry players [throughout] the whole team and I think Andy is probably epitomising that, Andy and Luke.

"And Grant on Saturday showed how sharp he’s been in training all week. I thought it was a good all-round performance.”

Jewell also had praise for Jay Emmanuel-Thomas’s first-half display: “Some of the stuff he does you just can’t coach. His link-up with Carlos, Chops and Lee Martin at times was fantastic.

“He obviously needs to be able to do that for the whole game and that’s something we’re striving to get him to do.

“In the second half, when he gets a bit tired, he tends to get a bit sloppy but he will get better at that.”

Having spoken about the punishments meted out to Jimmy Bullard and Michael Chopra for being late after their Newcastle nights out, Jewell revealed that another player had also failed to turn up on time: “Tommy Smith was late for training on Friday, five minutes late from New Zealand, so that’ll cost him a fine! I’m not joking, he was late for training because it was foggy at Heathrow,” the Blues boss deadpanned.

“I think he showed his commitment and the lad who plays for Bristol City, Chris Wood, who flew back with him, they decided to rest.

“I spoke to Tommy on Friday and he trained fine. I asked him how he was on the morning of the game and he said he was fine and I think he deserves a lot of credit.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand Football's chief executive Grant McKavanagh has outlined his organisation’s position regarding last week’s club-versus-country dispute over Smith’s fitness: "We talked to Tommy about it, and it wasn't so much of a case of us invoking the five-day rule but we wanted him to come out.

"We understand the clubs' positions, they pay the players' wages. And we don't want to burn any bridges now with some important games down the line. But the five-day rule is there, the clubs know about that, and if it comes to it we're able to use it."

Photo: Action Images


Photo: Action Images



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Sindre94 added 06:47 - Mar 5
I think he has taken us all by storm, great player with a great attitude.
Very glad he didnt leave for Crawley, that would have been a big blow for us. But if Leadbitter/Bowyer hadnt been injured he wouldt have played, simple as.
Hopefully he keeps his place, what a screamer the other day by the way!
COYB
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brogansnose added 06:51 - Mar 5
Are we talking about the same Andy Drury who was going to be sold to Crawley but couldn't agree a fee ?
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cornishnick added 07:18 - Mar 5
Terrific
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WeWereZombies added 07:29 - Mar 5
Former builder and still working at quarter to five on a Saturday afternoon - now that is amazing. I reckon Jewell's big call between Drury and Hyam was that Drury was looking for triple time.
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WoodfordTim added 07:33 - Mar 5
I am really pleased for him. Must have been difficult coming from Luton & stepping up a level to be amongst established names at Portman Road. Strong & skilful, I have really enjoyed watching him play. I think he's added a forcefulness to our midfield. A good buy PJ !
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PauloJulio added 07:51 - Mar 5
Worthy of a new longer deal in my opinion
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DiamondGezzer added 07:59 - Mar 5
Whatever the reason, he didn't leave and I for one am pleased about that. Had him down as a 100%er when he joined [ and according to Luton fans who were deverstated about him leaving ] as my posts will show. Thank God somebody saw sense or somebody cocked up any negotiations. Think Mr Drury will give us the service and hunger we have lacked for a while. Good to see the team all pulling in the same direction. Keep it up lads !
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Mark added 08:00 - Mar 5
Drury is a credit to himself and has turned out to be anything other than the "poor PJ signing" that he was labelled on here a few weeks ago.

Leadbitter played well and justified his inclusion, but the problem is he is on big wages and wouldn't signed the contract we offered him saying he is "comfortable" with that situation. I think we all want to see the young, hungry players and that's why we hope Hyam can get back into the team to replace Grant as we must build for the future.
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Blue_Fred added 08:10 - Mar 5
biggest plus for me is his positive attitude, which may well be rubbing off on youngsters around him...
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ThatMuhrenCross added 08:33 - Mar 5
Song for the SBR stand next week: "Andy Drury can he fix it, Andy Drury, yes he can!"
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hogster1970 added 08:58 - Mar 5
well what i say is this if leadboots at the time was worth 2.5 m then that makes dury worth atleast 10 m in my eyes, he is supurb he wins the ball he twists turns run and always looking for a attacking pass if there is one on, he looks pure class, just shows there is quality players down below us, its just a matter of finding them, defo be a look out for a quality up and coming striker as we will need one as scotland is old, ellington is not worth a mention , murry is sloly getting there but not exactly setting swindon alight, that leaves us with chops.

and i defo think now we are pretty safe start keeping hyam in the team and bring carson on the bench at least, this will gives us options, for plan B ect
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Bergholtblue added 09:09 - Mar 5
Brogansnose ... The clubs did agree a fee, before he went on loan. The fee was due following a successful loan spell, but Crawley went back on the deal. Lucky for us! How sick are they now?
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Guthrum added 09:14 - Mar 5
Crawley's loss is very much our gain. Sounds like we spotted something in him (and rated him at that value) which they didn't. Good to see a fellow tradesman doing well for himself!

However, this whole lack of a proper, competitive reserves league means that players have to be committed to long-term loans to other clubs (and the whims of their managers) if those waiting in the wings are to be kept match-fit and up to speed ready to step into the first team.
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irishtim added 09:24 - Mar 5
Well done Andy. You put alot of others to shame with your heart & desire. Hope you get improved deal in the summer.
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Garv added 11:52 - Mar 5
@ThatMuhrenCross, if I don't hear that before the end of the season I'm not renewing!
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:01 - Mar 5
that goal ,said it all ''GET IN THERE''', well done Andy ,lets see the same desire from some of the others and we may start getting somewhere . COYB .
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itfc4eva added 13:24 - Mar 5
and what a goal it was too. Brilliant player, and hope he can help us push for play-offs next season.
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Lightningboy added 13:45 - Mar 5
Drury's been a revelation..stunning goal saturday.

Hope Hyam's back in for Leadbitter asap..he's our future.
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arc added 14:04 - Mar 5
I love the way Jewell takes credit for sending him out on loan. Isn't there at least a chance that we would be much higher up the table if Drury had got his chance earlier in the season?
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buryblue77 added 16:06 - Mar 5
I think the last time I saw a midfielder play with such pride, passion and commitment was Matt Holland although they are different types of player he's exactly what we need and at 28 he's probably got another 5 years at least left in him. I really think he's been the driving force behind our change in form, and although a 15 minute cameo is not going to tell how a player will turn out, I thought Stevenson showed similar passion when he came on Saturday. What with Cresswell, Drury, hopefully Stevenson and you could say JET as well, Jewell certainly seems to have a good in depth knowledge of the transfer market and hopefully he can keep it up.
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mikeybloo88 added 16:34 - Mar 5
Just a pity he wasn't 23 and a yard faster, and he'd be perfect
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jas0999 added 18:51 - Mar 5
Not a massive Drury fan, but the guy gives 100% and is miles better than Bowyer and Bullard - who are probably being paid more a week (combined) than Drury is a year. Personally I don't think he is a brilliant player and still think we need better if we want promotion, BUT anyone who tries like him absolutely deserved their place. A rare PJ signing who actually seems to care - playing with pride and passion. Well done to Drury.
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stinkiusminkius added 20:08 - Mar 5
Jas099 - and well done to pj too, surely. Go on, say it, it won't hurt. You may even like it.
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