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Town Travel to Doncaster Without Leadbitter
Town Travel to Doncaster Without Leadbitter
Friday, 27th Apr 2012 12:54

Town travelled to Doncaster this afternoon for their final game of the season without former skipper Grant Leadbitter, who has decided not to remain at Portman Road after his contract is up at the end of the season. The Blues were already short of midfielders for their lunchtime clash with relegated Rovers (KO 12.30pm) with Luke Hyam injured, Lee Bowyer released and Lee Martin and Ryan Stevenson both having missed training due to injuries this week. Youngsters Byron Lawrence and Joe Whight have both made the trip.

Manager Paul Jewell was set to meet with Leadbitter on Friday to discover the 26-year-old’s decision with the former Sunderland man confirming his exit. Middlesbrough are believed to be the front-runners for his signature, while Brighton have also been linked.

The 26-year-old's exit leaves Jewell with limited options alongside Andy Drury with Luke Hyam out with a torn thigh muscle and with Lee Bowyer having been released.

The veteran former Leeds man is understood not to have travelled to the Keepmoat having been told he will not be offered a new contract with his terms also up this summer.

Ryan Stevenson, who was back in training yesterday after suffering an Achilles’ injury in the Millwall match last week, and Jimmy Bullard are in contention to partner Drury. Josh Carson, who has played in the centre of midfield in the reserves and the U18s, might be an alternative outsider for the role.

Jewell will be forced into at least one other change elsewhere with left-back Aaron Cresswell missing due to the hamstring injury he suffered last week.

The Town boss was coy about who might replace the Player of the Season but ruled out youngster Joe Whight, who he feels is not yet ready for first team football, although has travelled with the squad, and veteran Mark Kennedy, who will retire this summer to take up a coaching role at Portman Road.

Damien Delaney could switch to left-back as he did after Cresswell went off against Millwall with Ibrahima Sonko — who has been told he will be released but is the only other centre-half at the club - joining Tommy Smith in the middle of the defence.

Alternatively, Jack Ainsley could come into the side, perhaps in his preferred right-back role position with skipper Carlos Edwards switching to the left.

Daryl Murphy will play the last game of his loan spell from Celtic — although Jewell is keen to sign him permanently over the summer - on the left of midfield with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas on the right.

Lee Martin missed the 3-0 defeat to the Lions with a groin injury and had only progressed as far as training with the physio on Thursday, so seems an unlikely starter.


That will probably mean the Blues begin with Michael Chopra and Jason Scotland up front in an orthodox 4-4-2.

Jewell has confirmed that schoolboy midfielder Byron Lawrence will be in the squad and at 16 years and 47 days will become the club’s second-youngest player if he makes his debut, younger than Jason Dozzell when he made his — and scored — as a sub against Coventry in February 1984 at 16 years and 57 days.

Connor Wickham became Town’s youngest-ever player when he came on as a sub in the 3-1 home defeat to Saturday’s opponents Doncaster in April 2009 aged 16 years and 11 days.

The Blues boss will probably decide against naming a substitute goalkeeper, as he has in the last two matches, with Richard Wright and Cody Cropper both having been told they will be released in the summer. However, Wright will probably travel as cover.

Jewell says he hopes what has been another disappointing campaign will come to a winning end: “It’s been a long and difficult season in lots of ways and we’re at the final hurdle now. I believe we’re taking 1200 supporters there, so it would be nice if we could put on a decent performance and get a result for them as much as anything.

“We would like to have done that last week at home because the home fans have been great for us, but that didn’t happen.

“We need to put a show on for ourselves as well, we’re professionals and we’ve had a difficult season in lots of ways. We really want to put this behind us and build for next season now.”

The Town boss felt last week’s home defeat cast a shadow over what had been a more promising last third of 2011/12: “I think the disappointing thing is that we lost last week and that was only our fourth defeat in 18 games, so it’s been a good end to the season.

“But overall we’re disappointed that we haven’t done better and we’re looking forward to next season, certainly I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve had a full season at it now, I’ve made some mistakes, which I’ve got to learn from, and will look to bring in players that are going to improve us for the future.”

Jewell admits he’s surprised that Rovers have been relegated given their squad: “You look at Doncaster’s team, there are a lot of good players in the team and you wonder how they’re bottom of the league.

“They came here and were 3-0 up after 25 minutes which shows the competitive edge this league’s got. It’ll be a difficult match.”

Doncaster’s four-year stay in the Championship will come to an end after Saturday’s game and manager Dean Saunders, who played for Jewell at Bradford, says he wants to go out with a positive result: "It's not a 'dead rubber' game for me, I'm proud to be manager of the club and at Doncaster.

“I'm proud to be playing against Ipswich and I'm not taking it lightly. If we don't win I won't sleep on Saturday night so that tells you what it means to me."

Rovers strikers Chris Brown and Fabien Robert are both doubts, while one-time Town target Habib Beye is back after a three-match ban.

Centre-half Shelton Martis (calf), midfielder Martin Woods (knee), striker Habib Bamogo (hamstring), full-back Tommy Spurr (hand), midfielder Brian Stock (groin) and striker El-Hadji Diouf will miss out.

Controversial striker Diouf is believed to be on his way to Leeds this summer, although Town and Hull have also been linked by a report in Yorkshire.

Back in November, second half goals from Josh Carson and Michael Chopra weren’t enough to stop the Blues from falling to a 3-2 defeat to Doncaster at Portman Road.

Dismal Town were very much second best before the break with Diouf (2) and Billy Sharp putting the South Yorkshiremen 3-0 in front at half-time.

In February last year in the Blues’ most recent visit to the Keepmoat Stadium, Connor Wickham hit his first senior hat-trick as Town continued their resurgence under then-new boss Paul Jewell with a 6-0 destruction of Doncaster, the club’s first ever win on Rovers turf.

Sam Hird’s 25th minute own goal set the Blues on their way with Wickham subsequently netting his three, the last a penalty, and Colin Healy and Gareth McAuley one each.

Historically, things are neatly balanced, Town having won four games between the sides, four having been drawn and Doncaster also having been victorious four times, one of those the only cup tie involving the clubs, Rovers’ 2-0 Carling Cup second round win at Belle Vue in September 2004.

Rovers midfielder James Coppinger was a summer Town target, along with the now-at-Southampton Sharp, while Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scored five goals in 12 starts and two sub appearances while on loan at Doncaster between February and May 2010.

Saturday’s referee is Scott Mathieson from Cheshire, who has shown 99 yellow and three red cards in 39 games this season. Mathieson’s most recent Town match was the 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough in September when he booked Ibrahima Sonko and one Boro player.

Squad from: Lee-Barrett, Wright, Edwards, Ainsley, Whight, Delaney, Smith, Sonko, Drury, Stevenson, Carson, Bullard, Emmanuel-Thomas, Murphy, Carson, Lawrence, Chopra, Scotland, Ellington.


Photo: Action Images



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JimmyJazz added 13:12 - Apr 27
Leadbitter to play and then leave
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BlueVelvet added 13:17 - Apr 27
The Gun is at your head grant. Borough could get promoted but you wont know whether they are in the playoffs until tomorrow night, but town are not going to let your decision wait until then. They have offerd you acontract which is less than your exisitng, youre tempted but not sure what to do. Theyve given you until 10pm tonight and if you don't decide by then you are out by default. take thegamble and go to Borough.
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GerryCreaney added 13:19 - Apr 27
Lee-Barrett, Wright, Edwards, Ainsley, Delaney, Smith, Sonko, Leadbitter, Drury, Stevenson, Carson, Bullard, Emmanuel-Thomas, Murphy, Carson, Lawrence, Chopra, Scotland, Ellington.

We have such a weak squad its unbeleivable. This current generation (with the exception of a couple of players) would struggle in League 2.

Still, must remain positive and we will get some good players in this summer and do the job next season.
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walberswick added 13:25 - Apr 27
Leadbitter told Jewel he is leaving weeks ago. It has just been convenient for everyone not to announce the decision before the end of the season.
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cromwellblue added 13:28 - Apr 27
As this game is of no significance at all we should play the youngtser and see how they fair.

ALB
Whight, Ainsley, Smith, Edwards
Carson, Drury, Lawrence, JET
Stevenson
Chopra OR Scotland

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radiogaga added 13:29 - Apr 27
I couldn't give 2 hoots about Leadbitter, and nor should we be getting so worked up about it. Why do so many of you care about a player who blatantly does not want to wear the shirt and, apart from the last 2 months, has played like one too...
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RYITFC added 13:29 - Apr 27
Being last game of the season nothing to play for our left back injured surely it's an ideal opportunity to give Whight a game, after all is a position that we are going to need backup for next season, give the lad a taster.

On the same note perfect opportunity to give Lawrence a game, I'm sure that if you give these 2 lads starts it will be no worse than last week.
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Mark added 13:29 - Apr 27
Could we have left Leadbitter's deadline any later than the final day of the season?! The worst thing is that he can use our offer to negotiate himself a better deal elsewhere.

I agree our squad is weak. I reckon the whole squad is worth about £4M and most of that is Emmanuel-Thomas. It really shows what a mess Keane left us in and how Jewell hasn't yet been able to improve things much.
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newboy added 13:30 - Apr 27
Would not blame him for leaving poor manager, poorer tactics, clueless when it comes to dealing with people and a relegation battle next season when no one wants to play for him his repuation precedes him
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sirbobbystand added 13:33 - Apr 27
I say play jack Ainsley at RB for a game, what have we really got to lose. Both clubs have nothing to play for. We have just given the lad a new contract, so why not use him.
People go on about the peterborough game, but remember we had 9 men and he wasnt the only one on the pitch was he.
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village_blue added 13:42 - Apr 27
sir bobbystand Agree give Ainsley a game,some people keep on about the Peterborough match when it was easy for so called fans making him the scapegoat but they should remember it was HIS FULL LEAGUE DEBUT and he got no help from his team mates that day.
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Lightningboy added 13:45 - Apr 27
Maybe we can play our youngsters in the remaining fixtures instead of Leadbitter....oh yeah,this is our remaining fixture.

Nice one Jewell,yer pratt.
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cartman1972 added 13:52 - Apr 27
God, nearly all the fans on here do nothing but moan , either slating players , the manager or whatever. No matter what report Phil dedicates to write the same old clutch of so called fans berate the report and are so defeatist and pessimistic people like newboy should be banned for waste of time comments .....
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Jesney_Havoc added 13:52 - Apr 27
What a poseur ! Why doesn't he just put up or shut up. This (pointless) game is noetheless bigger than Leadbitter.

Do Doncaster have not one but two Habibs in their side ? Fame at last Doncaster, must be a first (in the UK)
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village_blue added 13:54 - Apr 27
So the team selection comes down to Leadbitters decision. Seen the squad listed and feel that as Bowyer and Cropper are omitted that Wright and Sonko should also be omitted as they have all been told they have been released.
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aliCOYBmason added 14:06 - Apr 27
Give Lawrence a game!!!! And Ainsley and dont but Delaney at left-back.....
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Morgan added 14:11 - Apr 27
What a sideshow, if he is not keen on staying then get shot and make the announcement. Don't give players all the power.

Whatever the outcome this needs putting to bed, it's like Norris all over again!
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saffronblue added 14:11 - Apr 27
Play Lawrence in Midfield and Ainsley at RB please. Personally i would give Bullard a game in the Lee Martin role behind Chops
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HARRY10 added 14:15 - Apr 27
"The Gun is at your head grant"

eh ?

He has messed us around all season and it is still up to him, with us having to play second fiddle again.

If he really wants to be here he would have signed, as it is he is playing the field knowing that whatever he does we will always take him back

Embarrassing to say the least.
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jas0999 added 14:17 - Apr 27
Big game. If we lose and results go against us, it could be the worst season for 55 years. That won't happen I suspect, but even still going into the last game with no chance of even equaling last years points total is very disappointing. PJ admits he has made mistakes and had no long-term plan. Let's hope we finish the season on a high and PJ learns from those mistakes this pre-season. A poor start to next season would I am sure not be tolerated by 90% of the fans and I already fear low attendances next season. Much for PJ to prove.
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itfc1981 added 14:22 - Apr 27
0-0
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playmakerz added 14:22 - Apr 27
Its time to sign players which COMPLIMENT each other. Two left footed center halfs, a winger playing right back, a striker playing left mid, a central player playing right wing and a constantly altering center midfield.

A decent permanent goalkeeper. (ALB is simply not good enough).
Natural right back.
Right footed center half (who can pass a ball unlike Delaney).
Natural Left Winger.
Natural Right Winger.

Hope Jason Scotland and Tommy Smith sign new deals.
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roytheboy added 14:33 - Apr 27
Let Leadbitter go, he obviously does not care two hoots about loyalty to ITFC and it's supporters, I don't blame him for wanting the best deal but I'm now becoming irritated, if he wants to go let him, who cares, he's a reasonable footballer but he's not that special in my opinion, sometimes good, other times average and he's even lost his penalty taking skills recently, either sign or go please Grant.
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Eireannach_gorm added 15:10 - Apr 27
JIMMMMEEEE, JIMMMMEEEE, JIMMMMEEEE, JIMMMMEEEE, JIMMMMEEEE.
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OldClactonBlue added 15:39 - Apr 27
Newboy, you missed that he's a very poor player. At least Norris had some energy and scores a few goals.
Never been so keen to hear someone missing from the team. However only time will tell if Jewell sticks to his word.
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