Jewell Confirms Edwards Took Pay Cut
Friday, 16th Mar 2012 08:43
Town boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that skipper Carlos Edwards’s new contract will see the 33-year-old take a big drop in wages. The Trinidadian has agreed new terms — understood to be worth around half of his current deal - keeping him at Portman Road for another year with the option of a further season triggered after he makes a set number of league starts in 2012/13.
Jewell says football’s new economic reality with the Championship introducing Financial Fair Play rules next season means Edwards won’t be the only player having to take a pay cut when they sign a new contract: “I don’t know the details of Carlos’s contract but certainly he’s taken a big drop in wages and I think that’s the way we’ll have to run our team.
“We’ve got to cut our cloth accordingly and the guaranteed big wages are available less and less because people are looking at Portsmouth and Rangers and what can happen if clubs aren’t run properly.
“And don’t forget we’ve got Financial Fair Play to adhere to next year, so we’ve got to make sure we’re not paying money we haven’t got.”
The Blues boss is delighted to see the £1.35 million summer of 2009 signing from Sunderland confirmed for the season ahead: “I don’t think it really took too long. I know there are a lot of players out of contract this year and we’re pleased to have Carlos for at least another year.
“Carlos can play in a number of positions, he’s played at right-back since I’ve been here 99% of the time. But he can play wing-back, he can play wide and we’re pleased to have him. I think he’s been a consistent performer this year.”
Jewell admits that having plenty of players out of contract - Tommy Smith, Grant Leadbitter, Jason Scotland, Lee Bowyer, Richard Wright, Mark Kennedy, Ibrahima Sonko and Cody Cropper are all still on terms which are up at the end of June — hasn’t been easy: “It is a difficult situation to manage, I’ve got to be honest.
“I said this time last year that I didn’t really want to be in this situation but it’s transpired that it’s been the type of season where things haven’t been as we would have expected or wanted.
“I think the players are all good people and they understand that football’s economic climate is changing and that maybe the money that was around not so long ago isn’t around now.
“We’ll have to sit down and talk to their agents in due course and if they want to stay, we’d like to keep them, if they’ve got better offers elsewhere, then that’s life.”
He says talks with those he wants to keep will begin in due course once the Blues are absolutely certain of being in the Championship next season: “There certainly will be [talks], but again it’s been such a topsy-turvy season that we’ve got to try and be sure that we’re OK first as a team.”
Photo: Action Images
Photo: Action Images
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Karlosfandangal added 08:59 - Mar 16
Did we not hear this last year, with Norris McAuley etc When we are safe we will look at contracts but we dont want to be in the same position next season.
Will this mean that Scotland wont be played as he will trigger the another season so thats one player on big money next year.
I would let Scotland go and replace him with Murray, Would let Bowyer and Leadbitter go as I feel we have enough player in midfield of the same quality and sign Murphy.
Kennedy and Wright can go really as they are not playing. Keep Cooper and Smith
Will need a keeper and couple of centre backs, if thats the case could let Sonko go.
Not knocking the players as Scotland and Leadbitter have done well this season and Sonko played well at times but dont think they are the players to take us onwards and upwards. |  | |
bontcho added 09:09 - Mar 16
Clearly a hint that Scotland and Leadbitter will have to accept a pay cut to stay at Portman Road. |  | |
davetheblue added 09:23 - Mar 16
Fair play to edwards ,true to he's word |  | |
saffronblue added 09:41 - Mar 16
Karlos, I agree with most of what you said upto the point Leadbitter has done well this year, not sure we have been watching the same player. |  | |
Superfrans added 09:43 - Mar 16
Karlos... we did hear this last year, but none of the players with contracts ending are critical to us. I would like to keep Scotty and Smith, possibly even Leadbitter. But it'll be no crisis if all three of them go.
We will be looking for a new striker, new CHs and have plenty of centre midfielders. Last year, the prospect of losing McAuley and Norris (our captain and deputy captain, best defender and best goalscoring midfielder) was a big problem for us. It's not the same this year. |  | |
bluelady added 10:01 - Mar 16
Good business would cost more to replace him. Versatile and gives 100%. |  | |
Karlosfandangal added 10:52 - Mar 16
Guthrum and Superfranz
Good points and agree
Saffronblue
To be fair have only attened 3 games this year because of work commitments and Leabitter has played IMO well, However i think we agree that he would not be a great loss to the team as he could be replaced.
Its a shame really as he is only 26 and could have been our long term captain and someone who could of progressed, but afraid he seems to have stood still | | |
TractorCam added 11:56 - Mar 16
Even if he's not the best right back, atleast he's happy to take a pay cut to stay at town. |  | |
Keaneish added 13:23 - Mar 16
So id=f this is going to be mandatory...what's Leadbitter grumbling about!? |  | |
jas0999 added 14:30 - Mar 16
Very good. Great to hear. A fantastic signing. Well done Roy! | | |
irishtim added 15:15 - Mar 16
Proper order sign on lesser terms still making a good living. Would leave bowyer leadbitter scotland wright & sonks go. Replace with youth. No disrespect to any of the mentioned players but money could be used better elsewhere imo. | | |
slowerball added 15:26 - Mar 16
Well, at least he's not got a car to run... |  | |
StowTractorBoy added 18:13 - Mar 16
Scotland and Leadbitter will I am sure go which is a shame but understandable under the forthcoming financial constraints. As for Murray replacing Scotland sorry and it is only my opinion and hope I'm wrong but can't see him making it at Ipswich. He is very small and you have to be exceptional with his height and hasn't torn up many trees at Swindon. Really hope I'm wrong but stating the obvious we need a top class striker which is not easy to find although one or two from the lower leagues have slipped through the net over the past couple of months. | | |
TractorRoyNo1 added 00:04 - Mar 17
he's not so daft after all, well done fella |  | |
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