Town boss Paul Jewell says left-back Joe Whight needs to show greater self-belief. The 18-year-old former Copleston pupil, who signed a two-year professional deal at the end of last season when he was an unused sub on a number of occasions, was back on the bench for the final game of the campaign at Doncaster on Saturday but is still to make his first team debut.

Jewell told the club site: "Joe has not progressed as much as we - and he - would have liked this year.

"He is a different type of character to Byron [Lawrence]. He's got to believe in himself a bit more. He's only 18 though and we think there is a good player in there. He has to start thinking that as well - and showing it."

The comments echo those made by U18s coach Russell Osman earlier in the season: “I keep telling Joe what a good player he is. I think the only person that doesn’t believe it is Joe himself sometimes.

“I think it’s a little bit of that Suffolk upbringing. He’s a terrific lad, a great lad and I think if we all keep telling him he’s a really good player then one day he might start believing us.”

Photo: Action Images

groovyASH added 14:29 - May 1 Shame he hasn't progressed as muich as hoped, but better to show that when he is 18 than when he is 20. Football is as much about the mental ability as well as physical ability.
0

Marshalls_Mullet added 14:31 - May 1 ....now we see why he hasnt been in the first team. Of course that doesnt stop fans with no insight saying he should be played.
0

ALF added 14:35 - May 1 I didn't think he made the bench vs Donnie Phil?
0

Surco72 added 14:36 - May 1 All young local lads should be played whatever ,disregarding what ex players ,coaches and the manager who see him training and playing think ,and when they do and are crap for two games we can criticise them for not living up to their potential and boo them or get rid of them ,like Bowditch,Trotter,Garvan,Eastman etc
0

johnnyTGrotten added 14:45 - May 1 Totally agree Surco72. Far too much is made out of the training field. start these players if you want to find out their worth. I'm sure there are players who have done amazingly in training but not shown this on the pitch on a matchday. Give the lad a chance
0

village_blue added 14:46 - May 1 Alt he did make the bench at Doncaster ,you have just been reading the EADT or Ipswich Star and that numpty Dave Gooderham don't know who's who in the squad and just makes up match reports.
0

Westcountryblue added 14:47 - May 1 We should blood him during pre-season to build his confidence, then introduce him from the bench next season Good point made above, football is as much about the mental ability as well as the technical ability......if he's a sensitive character PJ's done well not to throw him in to soon. Talented player who will hopefully move onto the bench next season and provide some competition to compete for the LB slot.

0

ALF added 14:51 - May 1 VB - my mistake - was BBC live text (they had Ainsley down) - should have read Phil's Report.
0

newboy added 15:15 - May 1 Firstly I thought eastman chose not to stay with Ipswich and turned down the offer preferring Colchester and secondly if you had watched any of the U18 games you would know he is nowhere near ready to play first team football and finally watching the constant abuse directed at the team from the U18 manager when he does play it will do nothing to improve his or anyone elses confidence

0

Reus30 added 15:15 - May 1 I am sure he tweeted some poo to Lavery saying how unloved he is. With Cropper gone to the gang is getting larger. I think only Joe is the only one left at ITFC that is in the that 'gang'
0

Reus30 added 15:16 - May 1 I am sure he tweeted some poo to Lavery saying how unloved he is. With Cropper gone to the gang is getting larger. I think only Joe is the only one left at ITFC that is in the that 'gang'
0

dirtyboy added 15:52 - May 1 Confidence can be built upon, sounds like he needs to be dropped in at the deep end. Sink or swim stuff...bit of a gamble perhaps, but you'll see his true mentality at this point. He may end up physically sick at the prospect, but being nervous and adrenaline go hand in hand. Personally, never seen him play, but always think it's a shame when people don't believe in their abilities, despite it clearly being there. Good luck to the lad though.

0

MattinLondon added 16:38 - May 1 Off topic but does anyone know where Caolan Lavery is? Thought he had signed for Kilmarnock but apparently this isn't the case
0

RegencyBlue added 16:47 - May 1 Perhaps fifteen minutes in a couple of meaningless end of season matches might have helped his self-belief a bit Mr Jewell!!!
0

Bluetone added 16:52 - May 1 Funny thing I thought the building up of self belief and confidence was part of the brief of the manager and coaching staff. It's part of man management. If this is not happening it could go a long way to explaining what is going wrong with our club.
0

Wickets added 17:10 - May 1 So why a 2 year deal when Luke only got 1.
0

jas0999 added 17:17 - May 1 This pre-season will be key for him - will no doubt get a chance to play in a number of friendly matches, which is a good opportunity to gain some self belief. However, it is yet again a chicken and egg situation. If you don't play, or get the chance to play, how do you gain self belief? It's not up to the fans to decide who plays and who doesn't - that is indeed PJ's job - but with little to play for against Doncaster and Millwall, I would have thought he would have been given a chance.

0

walberswick added 18:15 - May 1 "Jewell has not progressed as much as we - and he - would have liked this year."
0

Steelmonkey added 18:38 - May 1 Dear PJ perhaps you should show more faith in the youth of this club, after all it's what got the club playing well again this season. Look what happened after you stuck the old guard back in. Why bother to have an academy at all, get rid, then we could sign some more geriatrics on lucurative contracts who just want one more pay deal without having to play for it.
0

newboy added 19:10 - May 1 He may have tweeted Lavery about how he gets treated like poo but he is clearly not the only one why do you think they all leave and he has been telling people he cant wait to get out too so if he is ever going to turn it round jewell and his management team need to do a better job
0

RYITFC added 19:48 - May 1 Maybe if you start believing in them, they may believe in themselves. Perfect opportunity to give him a game Saturday, but we picked someone who firstly isn't going to be here next year after already being released and secondly has made countless defensive errors. No wonder the kid don't believe in himself.
0

itfc_since_birth added 20:02 - May 1 This is why we need good quality reserve football - Joe. like many youngsters needs matches - he is a great footballer with good potential.
0

harlingblue added 23:45 - May 1 Whight, if you want to be a part of a resurgent ITFC then as a local boy grab it, demand a place like Cresswell, if you have no courage, lacking in self belief, then you are letting The Academy and supporters down...get a heart and show it on the Practice ground...make PJ play you...it is a big ask as he doesn't seem to believe in young local products...perhaps you should push on and perhaps PJ might have a higher appreciation of Hyam.

0

BlueBhoy added 00:47 - May 2 I Agree with Bluetone and Jas0999, Jewell should be able to Man manage the lad and build his confidence, not make the lad feel like a social misfit. Why was he not played at the end of the season to show himself how good he is compared to the rest of the squad? Surely a sports psychologist could have an insight. Why is Jewell not thinking that way. ? The lad lacks confidence and Jewell needs to build it up . Thats why he is a manager. All the best managers have one thing in common, the personal touch. All Jewell seems to touch is cheap slappers. The man is a clown who is stuck in the past. He is out of touch, out of his depth and hopefully will soon be out on his Feckin ear.

0

up_the_town4 added 04:49 - May 2 Basically what has happend Paul Jewell come in to the club decided to offer Joe White a 2 year pro without seeing him play which bemused I think nearly every person at the academy including Joe White himself and all of the coaches because no dis respect to the lad he is a very very average player in the under 18 team so to then go with the 1st team no wonder he lacks confidence, clearly he aint good enough obviously now PJ has realised and is coming out with this absoulute BULL!!! about how he has not progressed just to cover hes back. Also as for self belief from what I have heard Russell Osman is clearly not the man to be playing for iv seen the under 18s play and not heard him shout 1 constructive thing out to help the boys just screammed and had a go at them and been more botherd about the referee's. All in all i think PJ and Osman are doing a fantastic job at killing the fantastic reputation Ipswich had for bringing youth players through.

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls