Manager Paul Jewell says he had no specific target in mind when he took in Peterborough United’s 2-1 victory over Brentford at London Road last Tuesday. Although the Blues boss has specific potential additions in his thoughts, he says the Peterborough trip was just part of a manager’s more general watching brief.

Jewell said: “I’ve had about 10 calls saying I was looking the goalkeeper [Joe Lewis] or Craig Mackail-Smith, but I was just taking the game in. I haven’t just been in a cubby hole for the last two years, I’ve been watching games and getting around.

“There are some players for Brentford I haven’t seen play, although I saw them play Everton in the Carling Cup, but there were one or two I hadn’t seen.

“All managers just go to games and you might see some player that stands out, but you might not. I didn’t go for a particular reason.”

While fans were impressed to see their new manager checking out the lower leagues for possible targets, Jewell says he doesn’t just look at talent emerging lower down the divisions: “My philosophy will be to try and bring decent players into the football club [wherever they’re playing].

“When I brought Antonio Valencia to Wigan people were asking ‘Who’s he?’, and they sold him for £16 million two years later. Same with Pascal Chimbonda.

“You can take players from obscure places. Supporters always want sexy signings, there’s no doubt about that, but we have to get our hands dirty and roll our sleeves up and have hungry fighters as well.”

After Saturday’s loss at Millwall, the new boss says he already has ideas on who he might bring in: “We have more than capable players and with one or two additions we’ll be OK. And I have the names in mind.”

Jewell says Town have received no offers for their players but in any case wouldn’t expect any to be accepted while he assesses the squad: “Not that I’m aware of and I think if they did, they’d be rebuffed if they did at the moment anyway.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Carlos Edwards has admitted that Town find themselves in a relegation battle: “Yes, we’re in a relegation fight — of course we are. It’s a battle and it has been obvious for the last six league games or so that we have a lot on our plate.

“No game will be easy between now and the end of the season. But with a new manager with perhaps some new persons and different way of playing, hopefully this will bring results sooner rather than later.

“I’m normally an optimist and I still feel we can finish in the top half of the table. But we must start winning — and soon.”

Saturday’s game at Millwall will be amongst the matches featured on BBC East’s Late Kick Off, which begins this season’s run tonight (BBC1 East 11.05pm). Former Blues skipper Matt Holland presents along with former Canary Dion Dublin.

Elsewhere, former Blue Darren Bent has asked Sunderland for a transfer in the wake of apparent interest from Aston Villa.

Photo: Action Images

truckertractorboy added 15:52 - Jan 17 I dont think it will take many players to make town good again we need some pace up front or some one get connor firing. A right back is a must if it only covers jamie peters who is going to b player of the season by far
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Ipswich24 added 15:58 - Jan 17 Three players will do it Townsend on loan again Roberts from Blackburn up front he will no longer be needed there now. And a creative playmaker to sit alongside Leadbitter. Bullard from Hull maybe
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Garv added 16:05 - Jan 17 Didn't know he signed valencia, impressive!
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cornishnick added 16:07 - Jan 17 I think you'd find Bullard's wage demands would be a tad out of reach
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rolly added 16:21 - Jan 17 Jay e Thomas from arsenal is available on loan !
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costadelblue added 16:22 - Jan 17 i think get roberts in and get rid of scotland or take a look at the french lad at hereford mathieu manset 13 goals so far this seson
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itfc1878 added 16:27 - Jan 17 This is where giovanni comes back...someone who knows where the goal is....
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Lennyboy added 16:31 - Jan 17 Ipswich24 & rolly you cannot build a team on loan players, they should be a last resort and used only in case of emergencies.
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Blueulster added 16:34 - Jan 17 Benty wants to leave Sunderland, I wonder......
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sonian_blue added 16:51 - Jan 17 The more I hear from this man the more impressed I am. Onwards and upwards. COYB Boys
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muhrensleftfoot added 16:58 - Jan 17 Need a right back - Peters is a winger. Unbelievable that RK let David Wright go & we've played over half a season now without a recognised right back. Also need someone creative in midfield. With just those two additions, I think we'll have a half decent side. The strikers are good enough - they just need service.
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Ipswich24 added 17:06 - Jan 17 Wright looks shocking at Palace there is betterout there than him
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:08 - Jan 17 Bullard, mmmm ,we should be so lucky .However PJ sounds far more positive and realistic than Keane. I really believe PJ is on the case .
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Back_The_Boss added 17:14 - Jan 17 That Mackail-Smith would be nice.
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Bluetone added 17:18 - Jan 17 Giovanni and Bent? That would do nicely. Now were did ME put that cheque book?
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tractorblue99 added 17:26 - Jan 17 Throughout the season I have been thinking about Jordan Rhodes. Why did you get rid of him Keane? We need him back.
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Thirdeye added 17:30 - Jan 17 Johnny Wilkinson would be a great signing. We could play him in central midfield up against Cesc Fabregas in the Carling Cup SF 2nd leg.
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Mark added 17:48 - Jan 17 Yes, seeing matches at the likes of Peterborough is part of a manager's general watching brief. Maybe it wasn't reported, but I don't really remember Keane being seen at many games aside from Arsenal recently and saying he watches Barcelona on TV. Talking of the right-back in the comments above, if Jewell is unable to turn it round and we do go down then the most unforgivable thing of the last regime for me is releasing Rosenior and D.Wright without bringing in any replacement whatsoever and thinking that was okay. A right-back has to be our most urgent priority, along with a left-sided midfielder (unless Civelli makes a dramatic return).

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Guthrum added 18:10 - Jan 17 "... players from obscure places ..." Holland, Russia, Iceland - was that not always the Ipswich Way in days of old?
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Suffolk_n_Good added 18:20 - Jan 17 as for Edwards, he's one of the biggest culprits!!! Has been a complete waste of money in my opinion, if someone offers to take him I'd snatch their bloody arm off!!!
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GreenwichBlue added 18:42 - Jan 17 James Vaughan is available from Everton for less than £1m according to reports. Perhaps adding more kids is not the answer but that looks a bargin - providing he passes the fitness test. 5 goals in 14 at Palace on loan disguises 3 of those were in one match and perhaps he's too similar to Connor but he has strength and pace.
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Mungo added 18:53 - Jan 17 I'd prefer to see us target players who aren't going to cost a fortune in wages. The average premier league squad salary is now much higher than a top Championship salary, which makes it difficult for players to move down and remain motivated, so lower leagues is probably the way to go in future. That said, Jason Roberts and Pascal Chimbonda may be keen on a reunion with PJ without breaking the bank? I think Puncheon from Southampton would add some creativity in midfield. Just a few signings needed for now with some major wheeling and dealing to be done in the summer! Throw Civelli back in to see how he copes...

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StowTractorBoy added 19:01 - Jan 17 Can't quite see how Peters will be player of the season as he has hardly played. Admittedly when he has played he has been effective going forward but his defending is open to question as he continually falls asleep when balls go to his far post as was seen on Saturday at Millwall and indeed at home against Arsenal which he got away with. We definitely need a right back but not as cover for Peters. You only have to look at right back Matt Phillips at Blackpool to see what you can from the lower leagues. Wycombe must wonder how they let him go so cheaply.

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Garv added 19:15 - Jan 17 I agree slowtractorboy but I don't think its fair to criticize peters as he is not a defender, he has been completely wasted this season!
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foster added 20:45 - Jan 17 the won player id love to see in a blue shirt is darren ambrose also id like to see us get some players from lower leagues craig mackail -smith possibly ben davies is worth looking at just please do not sign george boyd
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