Jay Needs to Show a Little Bit More
Thursday, 7th Feb 2013 06:00

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas needs to do a little bit more before he will win back his place in the Town side, according to assistant manager Terry Connor. The 22-year-old’s only start since Mick McCarthy took over as boss came in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Aston Villa last month.

Connor says there’s no problem with the former Arsenal man’s attitude: “I don’t think he’s missed a day’s training, Jay. He’s out there training every day, every training session trying to do his best.

“It’s about competition for places and if Jay wants to play in the first team he’s got to do a little bit more in his training and when he gets his time on the pitch to show that he’s worth a place in the team.

“But that goes for all players, not just Jay, every player has got to show that he’s ready for duty.”

Former striker Connor says he’s aware that players will say they can’t impress unless they’re given an opportunity: “Players will always say they need time on the pitch to show what they can do but we look at it the other way; that you have to earn that place, earn that right to be in the team.

“Although Jay has worked hard and isn’t a minute’s problem, he hasn’t quite done enough to force himself into the starting XI. When he does that, he’ll be considered like everybody else.”

He says it's a case of grafting in his training sessions at Playford Road for Emmanuel-Thomas and the rest of the squad: “There’s no magic there, there’s the capacity for hard work and for going on to the training pitch and trying not only to improve weaknesses but to improve strengths.

“I think the lads will tell you that we work as much on strengths as we do on their weaknesses. But there’s nothing that you can do other than go out there and work hard every day consistently. That’s the message to all players.”

Photo: Action Images

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Garv added 12:39 - Feb 7 If we are continuing to use him as a striker in training I'm not surprised he's not doing enough. He's an attacking midfielder suited to 4-2-3-1. I'd have him on the bench ahead of Nouble at the moment.
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Marshalls_Mullet added 12:50 - Feb 7

rumsey - I like your glass half full view.

Not sure that an article saying that he isnt performing well enough in training is that positive for a £10k per week player.

I know he is 'working' hard, but its obvious thats not enough. Needs to start producing.

Its amazing that we are spending £10-15k EACH per week for Jay, Chops and Martin and none are providing a return.

Ipswichbusiness added 12:50 - Feb 7 I think that most people agree that he has bags of talent. TC seems to agree that he is working hard in training. If Jay lacks something in attitude then management and others need to be speaking with him on a regular basis and banging into his head that he only gets the one chance and if he screws it up he will have a long time to regret it.
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tallguy6767 added 13:07 - Feb 7 Agree with Rentaghost, get these 3 wasters out of the club! T.C is spot on with his comments, well said.
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theobald1985 added 13:28 - Feb 7 funny martin is being mentioned here when terry connor said nothing about him. I cant remember him or mick critising him at all. What they do seem to do is play martin whenever he is fit which tells you all you need to know
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carlisleaway added 14:05 - Feb 7

Anyone who went to Villa would have seen how poor JET was, we played like a team with 10 players in the first half and should have finished them off. You would have thought any player given a chance to show how good he really is would

When we signed him my workmate who is an Arsenal Season Ticket Holder, said that was a good piece of work by Wenger to get that much from a player who offers so much but gives so little.