Jewell Delighted With Point and Second Half Performance
Tuesday, 6th Mar 2012 22:40

Town boss Paul Jewell was delighted with his side’s point at Southampton, feeling his team responded well to a half-time tongue-lashing after a below-par first period.

Jewell said: “I was really desperate to get them in at half-time because I thought we were distinctly average in the first half and Alex McCarthy kept us in it with a couple of decent saves. I tore a strip off them at half-time and I think you saw the response in the second half.

“We started the game off OK. Southampton are a good team, they’re not top of the league for no reason, but I felt as if we were just sitting back a little bit and waiting for them to come at us, and we didn’t want to do that. I think we’re a far better team when we’re on the front foot.

“I got into them at half-time and I think in the second half, even though we went a goal behind, I thought we deserved it in the second half.”

The Blues boss says Jason Scotland deserved his goal: “It was a magnificent substitution!” he joked. “Jason Scotland’s been terrific for us and he’s been part of the squad and when he’s come on he’s worked hard and he’s works hard in training.

“He had a little bit of fortune with the deflection but I think Southampton had a little bit of fortunate on Saturday, so maybe we were due that.”

He says the Trinidadian’s lack of starts lately has nothing to do with three more leading to him triggering another year on his contract at his current wage: “Jason’s been unlucky. Obviously people talk about the contract situation, but it’s been nothing to do with that that, it’s because Chops has done well.

“I have to say Jason’s professionalism and his positive attitude around the place have been terrific and I’m really pleased for him. He’s a valuable member of our squad.”

Jewell says he expects the Saints to win promotion: “They were excellent at our place, they were 3-0 up at half-time. We got it back to 3-2 but we just couldn’t break them down. They’ve got some quality players and I think they’ll be in the Premier League next year.

“But we did show some battling qualities [today] and at times a bit of quality in the second half. In the dressing room after the game, even though we scored the equaliser, the lads are a little bit disappointed. Not that we haven’t won the game, but just with our performance in the first half, which tells me that we’re making progress because the squad’s standards are coming on as we grow together.

“We know there’s a long way to go this season, we know there’s a long summer ahead of us and we want to improve the squad to hopefully be somewhere near challenging next season.”

Despite that, he’s happy with his side’s current run: “One defeat in seven is obviously decent form. If you could take that for the rest of the season or over any given season you’d be somewhere close.

“We’ve got to do it over 46 games and when we’re not great we’ve got to get something out of the game.

“I think in the first half we definitely weren’t great, our keeper’s made two really good saves, we’ve defended for our lives at times and in the second half we restricted them to not to many chances and we were always a danger on the break.

“Kelvin Davis made a fantastic save from Chops that would have put us 1-0 up and who knows what would have happened. But, all in all, we’re pleased with a point.”

Photo: Action Images

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I_am_John_Hoyles added 22:48 - Mar 6 Fantastic result boys! We've actually managed to get a draw for once, rather than a 3-0 win or 3-0 defeat!! You can almost see the confidence oozing out of them......or in the case of Jimmy, the alcohol.....
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I_am_John_Hoyles added 22:49 - Mar 6 When I say oozing out of them, I mean oozing into them.....obviously!!!
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DikkieCOYB added 22:49 - Mar 6 Haha John Hoyles, i hope they arent many complaining after this result though i bet they will be for some stupid reason; a good point warned there then.
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I_am_John_Hoyles added 22:49 - Mar 6 When i say oozing into them, I mean building in them....obviously!!!
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DikkieCOYB added 22:51 - Mar 6 warned = Earned
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TractorBoy666 added 22:54 - Mar 6 Great point! I fancy us against Hull at the weekend!
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OrkneyBlue added 22:55 - Mar 6 Well done Town, not two months ago that could possibly of been a hammering instead we find ourselves in the last seven with W5 D1 L1 Keep it going Town, I'm down for Burnley at PR and Watford away and it's been a long time since I was looking forward this much to a trip down. COYB
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OrkneyBlue added 22:57 - Mar 6 I have to add that I'm looking forward to coming down not just because we are winning but also the way we are playing as well.
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Tractamatt added 23:03 - Mar 6 Excellent, I said I'd be happy with 2 points from Southampton and Hull away,I understand people fancying us for the win but Hull away as much as I'd like a win I'm keeping an open mind,you could say I'm optomisticly pessimystic.COYB.
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RetroBlue added 23:07 - Mar 6 Whisper it.... Paul Jewell is buiding a team with an "all for one" ethos. Next season will be ours !
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Garv added 23:10 - Mar 6 Great result. Was always confident we could get something. Give Jason Scotland a new contract! Hull on Saturday I think will be almost just as hard, another point will do, followed by a few wins!
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gypo added 23:16 - Mar 6 terrific
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Duncan added 23:32 - Mar 6 Excellent a hard fought point, not something i've been able to say for a long time. Hope we can keep up the good results over the rest of the season and take the momemtum into next season!! looking forward to the Peterborough game! lets hope we get more than 16,500!!
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roytheboy added 23:57 - Mar 6

Very well done indeed Paul Jewell, we must ensure that our best players are given new contracts asap; we need them to be with us and settled, going into next season if we are to capitalise on what we are now starting to achieve, if we can take the experience and knowledge gained within the squad into the beginning of next season, then we really can be in the top half of the league throughout I feel, tonight's result shows how we've improved since Southampton visited us and it must surely be a great morale boost to players, Management and Supporters alike, I know that I am most pleased with our current form, COYB.

tellitasiseeit added 00:06 - Mar 7

Well done to the lad's one of the best results so far, all be a draw.but against a team who will soon be promoted. My prediction before the game was a 1-1 draw,but it could have been a win for Town.Chop's still playing top football regardless of his night out (forgiven) Scotland how many time's has he scored the winner for Town and tonight earned us a well deserved draw?.The whole team are now enjoying their football and most importantly have lost the fear of giving silly goals away. My prediction 1-1 OR A WIN FOR TOWN 1-2 COYB

yun added 00:30 - Mar 7 Cracking result. Now to win the rest of our remaining games and finish 6th.
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im_marcacus added 00:49 - Mar 7 I wouldn't look forward to the Watford game too much Orkney.... shudder...
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Devontractor added 03:33 - Mar 7 yun, I have absolutely no wish for Town to finish 6th this season - if they won their way througn to PL then god help us. Need another season (or two) in Championship rebuilding the team and structure of the club. Patience! It took the late, great Sir Bobby three seasons before Town made an impact.
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Devontractor added 03:44 - Mar 7

I should add...fantastic result tonight. Coming from behind to get a draw at St Mary's. ITFC showing some steel at last, defence remaining solid and team adapting to 4-4-2 mid game. Very, very promising. PJ will get us up next year or the year after. Keep this form up and talk of play-offs will end. Automatic promotion will be expected. Funny thing is that I've a horrible feeling this lot might just make it into the play-offs this season. Not sure why and its unlikely but they never cease to amaze. PJ will you please give the youngsters on the edge of the squad a chance soon (say, another six points so we're safe). Keep them keen but keep them out of play-offs this year - we need more work to be PL.

arablue added 05:00 - Mar 7 Very good result...snatching a draw, against the league leader, playing away, equalised in the last few minutes of the game - all that are signs of a team on the way up. BTW, how did Stevenson go?
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Blue_Fred added 06:34 - Mar 7 more than pleased with the point, plus signs of an attitude shift in the squad is just as important
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bluelady added 06:56 - Mar 7 For me up there with the west ham tonking and real evidence of how far we have come. Love the fact PJ told them at half time not to sit back and that we had the quality to beat them, second half was inspired in contrast. Also good to see after going one down we did indeed have a plan B, which worked. Onwards and upwards the rot is finally disappearing from our club!
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mental1 added 07:04 - Mar 7

Although i agree to a certain extent with Devontractor that infrastructure and a settled team would be desirable before PL, if it were to happen sooner rather than later then i would not be too worried. If we can beat the wage capping rules by squeezing into PL it will be good for the club and make us attractive for signings. Also the money generated should mean quality signings which will help keep us in the PL. I pretty sure ME will want to do whatever is reasonably possible in order to stay in PL once it happens! there are positives to be taken whatever the outcome this season! ITID COYB!

WarkyWonderLand added 07:21 - Mar 7 Great result and credit to PJ and squad. Hats off to him as he has some resolve and turned it round. Sounded a broken man after Leeds defeat but he has Kept going and deserves the credit. There is certainly a togetherness and resolve about team and we do have a great squad. Keep it going to end of season and see where it takes us. Coyb
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