Blues boss Paul Jewell admits that he finds the close season frustrating at times but is determined to remain patient as he looks to add another four signings to his squad ahead of the start of the 2012/13 campaign. The Town manager, who was back at Playford Road for the start of pre-season training yesterday, expects his summer recruitment to stretch into August with Premier League clubs not willing to allow players to move on until nearer the end of the transfer window.

Jewell, who is confident the Blues will complete the signing of free agent former Nottingham Forest skipper Luke Chambers early next week, says he has spent the summer looking at players and talking to other clubs: “I’ve been watching a few games. I went over to Norway to watch a couple of games over there.

“It’s always the same in the close season, it can be quite frustrating really. I’ve spoken to lots of players, lots of clubs and everyone’s keeping their cards close to their chests at this time.

“What I’ve tried to learn over the years, and probably didn’t last year, is to try to be patient and make sure we don’t rush into anything because people expect us to sign players.

“There’s not an awful lot of money around in football at the moment, certainly not at our end, so we’ve got to be patient and make sure we get the targets that we want rather than get players.

“Maybe if you wait that extra week, that extra two weeks the right players might become available, rather than just taking a player for the sake of it.”

The trips to Norway were probably to watch Lillestrøm striker Björn Bergmann Sigurdarson, who subsequently agreed to join Wolves.

Jewell is in the main looking for permanent signings, but has also indicated that he could bring in one or two loan players, and ideally would like them here as soon as possible.

However, he says top flight clubs are in no rush to let their fringe players move on, meaning that that’s unlikely to happen: “I think if I had them in today, I’d be delighted. But I know that that’s almost impossible.

“I’ve spoken to numerous Premier League managers and what they told me and will have told other managers in our league is, ‘I’m going to see how it goes in pre-season. I’m going to take him our pre-season tour and then we’ll decide what we’re going to do with him’.

“There are a few players that are like that. There are one or two other players where we’re in talks with the clubs, and that’s all I can tell you.”

The Blues boss says he’s prepared to take his time in order to get the players he wants, but if he doesn’t land them, he has identified alternative targets: “I’m not a very patient person, if I’m being honest. But I’ve tried this close season more than ever. I’m getting messages every day from agents about this player or that player who is available.

“The players that I want, I’m prepared to wait to get them. But if I don’t get them, I have got a Plan B. I think if we get the players we want, I’ll be a happy man.”

Photo: Action Images

pazelle added 12:06 - Jul 6 If we get Chambers and Kourouma, then we just need a decent Goalie tbf. Loan players can bog off (except Gio and Andros Townsend)
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theblueginger added 12:10 - Jul 6 Is that an admission that he's looking towards Prem reserve players?
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Mark added 12:11 - Jul 6 I agree with Jewell's comments. Fans are just extra-edgy as we didn't sign a proper permanent goalkeeper and centre back last summer, and we all know how important these positions are. I think Jewell knows what he is doing and will sign the bargains we need on our tight budget. How easy it was for Keane by comparison with the millions to spend!
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TR11BLU added 12:19 - Jul 6 I find it frustrating that he keeps coming out with pointless comments like this. Spend your time on the training pitch and let your team do the talking for once. Jewell out Now.
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irishtim added 12:21 - Jul 6 We probably end up with loan players who will use us to move elsewhere again. Would prefer looking for players in our own league or league one plus some european flair.
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Urchin added 12:27 - Jul 6 @tr11blu: this is a prime example of how PJ can't win. He tells you what the current situation is - how other managers are reacting or what they are saying - he advises he has a plan b And then all an idiot like u can say is "pointless comments" and "jewel out now" - no qualification of your reasoning or anything.
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AlanMahon2011 added 12:33 - Jul 6 Jewell is NOT to blame. Simon Clegg is.
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TR11BLU added 12:36 - Jul 6 May be an idiot urchin but even i can see we are no better off under PJ than we were 18 months ago before he walked into the club.
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Jimmys_Law added 12:42 - Jul 6 I check TWTD several times every day in anticipation and read other fans comments. I have decided to make an account because I've been wondering Phil what is happening (if anything) about Daryl Murphy? It seems to have gone quiet surrounding his future and the last I had heard, Celtic had agreed to let him go for a nominal fee.
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SouperJim added 12:46 - Jul 6 @TR11BLU It's a press conference. Reporters ask him stuff, he responds. If he didn't, you'd whinge that there was no communication with the fans. It's not like he postpones training to seek out journalists, as you seem to be suggesting. Get a grip.
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Bangor31 added 12:48 - Jul 6 @tr11blu- so true we definitely don't have a younger squad in which net transfers have equalled a profit, we didn't score 19 goals more than in keanes last full season thus satisfying supporters call for more attacking football. utter drivel you clearly have no idea or care about the topic at hand so don't get involved in it
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dirtyboy added 12:56 - Jul 6 I feel we are better off than we were 18 months ago. I feel there is a sense of stability coming to the club. I think the introduction of players like Drury, Cresswell and JET have gone very well. We all know what Chopra is capable of, and Hyam, Carson, Smith are young players who gained a lot of experience in the last 18 months. There's a possibility Stevenson could be fully up to speed, he could play a part, Lee Martin looked excellent at times, and dare I say it, even Delaney played well at the back end of the season. Will be interesting to see how Chambers, Kourouma, Hewitt (done) and Jakupović turn out if all goes as planned. We've already got some excellent players, but we need a bit more strength in depth, and just need to get some consistency.

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Garv added 12:58 - Jul 6 "I'm going to take him on our pre-season tour and then we'll decide what we're going to do with him'. Connor Wickham.
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DiamondGezzer added 13:13 - Jul 6 dirtyboy :- How true. All in all I'm looking forward to the season begining. Think there are more positives this time around. Also, nice to see a few people in agreement about the way the club's backbone is slowly coming back together after having been ripped apart.
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brian_a_mul added 14:26 - Jul 6 @tr11blu, I can see where u are coming from in terms of league position. 18 months ago we had a small coaching staff (RK couldnt fing an assistant coach!), no scouting network to mention, 80% of the players out of contract and a demotivated squad and fan base! Now spirits are high and we have a good crop of players together willing to put in 110% for the club. Plus our scouting is much improved. With Martin and JET in the team we have great attacking options + Jimmy Bullard if fit and on form. A fully fit Chops will do damage. I think alot has improved in the club and we are definitely on the right track!!

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village_blue added 14:54 - Jul 6 Please Garv I hope you said Connor Wickham with tounge in cheek because why oh why would we want an injury prone overrated player in the squad when we already have one in Jimmy Bullard!
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jas0999 added 16:26 - Jul 6 The problem is other clubs do do deals! It's been a disappointing Summer to date - and although there is still clearly time, we need these players to GEL now! There can be no excuses this year - especially the 'we need several months to gel' comment. Bottom line is PJ should have done more long-term business in the 18 months he has had the club.
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jlcollins added 16:29 - Jul 6 Jewell out!! Wot is wrong wiv some ov you people!! Wen he came 2 this club after magilton and keane nearly ruined this club, everyone was saying he needs at least 3yrs 2 get itfc back on its feet! 18 months later people r calling 4 his head!! He has spent that time fixing a broken club, now its time 2 see if it works! If in 18 months we r still finishing 10th or lower then get the knives out, so stop talking rubbish and get behind ya team AND the manager, jlcollins a trueblue!!!!!!!

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JewellintheTown added 16:45 - Jul 6 TR11Blu for Manager - I'm sure he'll solve all our problems and have us in the Prem in no time! Get your C.V. out TR11Blu and off to Portman Road you go.
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bigolconnor added 16:49 - Jul 6 If the oldies had worked out last year we wouldn't have to get players on a free this year. Obviously frees take a long time to get hold of (if they have any ability) of course we won't get our full compliment yet. But I believe that we will play some quality football this season and I am very much looking forward to JET, martin and chops making a mockery of some of the defences in our league. We're probably gonna be leaky again but we are going to score some crackers. JET for England in two years.

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TractorBoy666 added 17:26 - Jul 6 Jas, you try being a manager if you think everything is that easy. Seriously, like he said, he has to try and be patient. He can't just go out and buy someone in a blink of an eye!
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HARRY10 added 20:31 - Jul 6 “There's not an awful lot of money around in football at the moment, certainly not at our end"" That should tell you all you need to know that's why will be waiting, as we will be pretty far down the queue, picking over what's left still at least PJ is honest about it - for whatever reason maybe some of our fans will finally begin to grasp how dire things really are
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itfchorry added 21:24 - Jul 6 Clegg Out
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thebeat added 22:23 - Jul 6 im not surprised he gets frustrated.from what ive heard he openly calls clegg "coco" as in coco the clown due to his uselessness.
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