Town boss Paul Jewell says the Blues face competition from a number of clubs, including sides in the Premier League, for the signature of loan midfielder Jimmy Bullard. The Hull City man missed Saturday’s game at Leicester with a knee injury.

Jewell said: “I spoke with [Hull director of football operations] Adam Pearson last week about trying to do something, but I think there are a few clubs in for Jimmy, maybe Premier League teams. But we certainly want to be in there fighting, trying to do it.

“His knee flared up after training on Thursday, so with his history of knee problems he wasn’t going to play [at Leicester]. If Jimmy can play, he plays, but he just wasn’t fit.”

The Blues missed Bullard in midfield and were 3-0 down by half-time, although Jewell says his side could and should have scored before they went behind, again showing their lack of a cutting edge: “In the second half I think they had one attack but scored from it. OK, they took their foot off the gas a little bit at 3-0 up, but we had a golden opportunity in the first five minutes when Chuck’s gone through. Their keeper makes a save and Jason Scotland’s got a gilt-edged chance.

“There’s just no one who is going to take the gamble that they can score the goal. We haven’t got that nasty, horrible goalscorer in the club and we’ve got to get that in.

“As well as getting that in we’ve got to get some steel and some pace in the rest of the team. We’ve got some good players here, but too many times I’ve said the same thing — when it gets a little bit tough, we’re not mentally and physical tough enough and it’s my job from now to next season to make that right.”

Jewell says Town are in a similar situation to the one he found when he took over at Derby where he feels he tried to change things around too quickly, an experience he believes will benefit him: “I hope I’ve learnt from my time at Derby.

“When I came in I was looking at a relegation fight and I see a lot of similarities in the clubs. They’re great football clubs both of them, with great facilities and high expectations.

“But both of them, as well as having some decent players, there’s been a bit soft side to them which has been exploited.

“However, these lads have given me everything they’ve got. These lads as a group won’t take us forward but they have done great to get keep us where we are.

“We’ve got to add to that group five or six players to give the lads who are going to be here next season help and hopefully a decent promotion campaign.

“It’s going to be difficult, but I’m sure if we get the players that we’ve identified, we’ll be a lot, lot stronger and a lot better.

“There’s more than five or six players we’ve got in mind because you’re not going to get all your targets. I think it’s important to get lots of options. If we can get the players we’re trying to get, I’ll be pleased.”

Photo: Action Images

RetroBlue added 08:24 - May 9 sadly Town havent a hope in hell of getting Jimmy, and maybe even less so with Clegg as the chief negotiator. Also if a Prem Club is after JB , then its understandable he will go there and not stay with us - a major, major loss to our promotion efforts next season IMO !
0

hampstead_blue added 08:24 - May 9 That's that then. Jimmy, it was good whilst it lasted.
0

itfc1981 added 08:25 - May 9 How can we get these players in with Clegg in charge, with his sledgehammer tactics?
0

Skip73 added 08:33 - May 9 Good to hear that Jewell is being realistic saying we probably won't get all the targets he wants so has others in mind, but with Clegg negotiating I don't trust we'll get any of them.
0

Dissblue added 08:33 - May 9 Can we get Campo back?
0

RIPbobby added 08:48 - May 9 Well Hull are going to say that loads of clubs are interested as they want to get him shipped out as soon as possible. A prem team probably envy the loan agreement we had with Hull as it was so cheap. As much as I like the bloke I would not spend a penny on him at 32.
0

blueblood66 added 08:52 - May 9 @Retroblue: do you not read Jewels press conferences? He said that he leads the initial negotiation for new players unlike Roy who left it all to Clegg and Evans. He is a proper manager, so we have more chance of landing our targets.
0

Marshalls_Mullet added 08:58 - May 9 Great job Jimmy, and a good loan signing. Unfortunately the problem with successful loan signings is they often leave. Here's to some good permanent signings in the summer. I would like to see no more than TWO loan signings in our squad next season.
0

Tillz9 added 09:03 - May 9 All we can hope is that he would rather stay here and play and enjoy it. If not best of luck where he ends up. He certainly helped us out of a hole this season
0

gypo added 09:09 - May 9 Personally i dont think a premier club would come in for jimmy because of his age and knee problems. I think it will be another championship club plus this knee flare up will scare them off, A smaller weekly wage with pay as you play contract might be the way.
0

denhamblue added 09:31 - May 9 bye bye jimmy
0

das_bones added 10:06 - May 9 Thank you Mr Bullard for all you done for us this year. Cant blame you if you move elsewhere alough id love it if you stayed
0

gainsboroughblue added 10:28 - May 9 Thanks for everything Jimmy. Good luck. Now let's forget him and move on.
0

blueherts added 10:33 - May 9 Hey , like an extended version of Dos Santos - quality we need but no way will we be able to afford him - We need about 8/9 new players - GK , FB x2 , CB , Two midfielders and two/three strikers ( at least ) Wickham is going - we will cash in now , Bullard will not stay Upwards and onwards - JB is a great player to have but there is little or no charity/sentiment in football nowadays - it is all about hard cash - finances - roll on Holland

0

stiffshorts added 10:45 - May 9 competion to sign bullard? no sh@t sherlock!! Damn obvious we wouldn't get him without a massive fight. Unfortunately the teams overall problems were once again highlighted at Leicester, No iron at the back (why we've extended Delaneys contract staggers me!) Mcauley & Norris won't be missed. Scotland staying on? We're seriously joking here, no? He's the most inept front man in the league. No. Only a mass clear out and start all over will bring salvation. The team we have is hopeless. Good luck PJ, huge job on your hands. BTW I see ME is one of the richest men in the land, with what he's increased his wealth by over the past 12 months we could emulate Man City so stop sitting on it and SPEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0

sonian_blue added 11:05 - May 9 As I said a couple of weeks ago he will be long gone come Aug. Funny how everyone jumps on the 'No chance with Clegg negotiating band wagon' previously it was Sheepshanks fault, now he is missed. Clegg will be working to a budget as well as all the other complications such as agents,geography, personalities, loyalties in the game etc. People need to realise that much as it pains me to say it, we are NOT a big fish in this league and having finished13th have limited appeal to potential signings. That is why I keep harping on about delving in to the lower leagues for talent. Lets be honest is someone like Nugent gonna come here if a relegated PL club or a playoff failure this season is in for him...its a no brainer...we will miss out every time.We should therefore stop wasting time chasing the unobtainables and concentrate on the realistic targets. With the support we had at Leicester we deserve better next season. COYB Boys.

0

Mungo added 12:42 - May 9 Well that's that then! Shame because he has been key to our revival over the 2nd half of the season will be difficult to replace, especially with Norris leaving as well. PJ's job this summer seems to be getting bigger by the day! itfc1981 - It isn't Clegg's fault that Hull gave him an obscene contract! Even Premiership terms will be reluctant to match those terms...
0

simonsays added 13:02 - May 9 With Clegg involved in the negotiations it will be bye bye Jimmy!
0

Lightningboy added 13:22 - May 9 Really hope he does come here,he's been a breath of fresh air and a player the fans really love....just don't go and spoil it all now Jimmy by signing for Norwich!
0

stringtheory added 13:54 - May 9 Now we'll really see how straight Jimmy was being when he said how much he enjoys it here and would love to sign for us!!
0

tractorboybig added 13:56 - May 9 He never was coming here, only in the mind of the day dreamers. Now lets get down to some realistic signings, loads of players in the conference, ( I think we have previously made a clean sweep of Ireland.)
0

BourneBlue added 14:00 - May 9 Sonian I agree with you. We have to look at the lower leagues and develop players. I follow Town whenever possible (brought up in Suffolk) but now living in Bournemoth. Have watched Bournemouth a lot this season and they have got a left back and right back that we should snatch up. Adam Smith 19 (on loan from Spurs and out of contract in the Summer) and Rhys Wiggins. They are both young, good defenders but get forward and deliver like wing backs. Watch them in the play offs on Saturday (on Sky). PJ must send his scout down with a couple of contracts in his pocket.

0

samvoller added 14:13 - May 9 Anybody who thinks that Simon Clegg and Marcus Evans are running the financial side of Ipswich badly, and should push the boat out with signings such as Austin, then please watch this one hour documentary done by Alan Sugar on football finances, very helpful and in depth. I found out a lot of things watching this that have perhaps changed my opinions slightly so... Let me know your thoughts on it anyone who watches it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0113f7h/Lord_Sugar_Tackles_Football/

0

samvoller added 14:15 - May 9 On another note, is it also perhaps a good thing, as stupid as it may sound that we did lose 5-1 to Norwich and then 4-1to Swansea.... Unlike previous seasons where we have finsihed strongly and so the manager and owner have felt less need for investment, perhaps this summer Marcus evens will have really realised how far behind the top teams we are, and have been for many years now

0

Lamby95 added 15:39 - May 9 Was always going to be tough to keep him. Bourneblue, I believe we've already been linked with Adam smith.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls