Town manager Paul Jewell has begun his search for additions to his squad for next season and has revealed that he has spoken to the representatives of a couple of players who are out of contract in the summer. The Blues boss says he expects more Championship players than ever to be available on free transfers during the close season.

Jewell said: “It’s not like the season finishes and everyone picks the phone up, it’s an ongoing thing. Even when the transfer window is shut [that goes on].

“I spoke to a couple of agents [yesterday] morning regarding players who are out of contract for next season. That happens, that’s the way the world is.

“It’s difficult because they, like our lads who are out of contract, are saying to their agents that they want to see what’s around.

“It’s a terrible time really because you’re trying to get in quick and sometimes you make the first offer and then they use that as a bargaining tool, so it’s a really difficult balancing act.”

The Liverpudlian doesn’t expect to be handed a massive transfer war chest this summer: “I’m speaking to Marcus next week, but there won’t be lots of money for me to spend. Like every manager I’ll have to wheel and deal.

“There’ll be a lot more frees around this year than there have been in previous years because of the economic climate - clubs can’t afford to pay their players what they were getting paid.”

He says his summer signings are more likely to be in the mould of Aaron Cresswell than some of the more senior players who were brought in last year: “We’ve got to start making progress, bringing younger players through, bringing less high profile players in.

“Having said that, supporters love high profile players when you sign them. But look at Cressy. When we signed him I don’t think anyone knew who he was and he’s been one of our most consistent players and at 22 he’s only going to get better.”

Jewell says people throughout the game have to learn to build over time as opposed to spending big for immediate results: “Players and managers need to realise that the game is struggling financially and rather than just throwing money at it we’ve got to try and have a system that works where we can see progress for the future rather wanting success instantly.

“I’m not saying we’ve made huge progress but I’ve been here a full season now and I’m in the final year of my contract next year, so I want to start moving quickly. But that doesn’t mean to say that everything has to happen overnight.”

Meanwhile, the Blues are reported to be in competition with Leeds and Burnley for the signature of long-time target Jason Pearce, who is expected to leave crisis club Portsmouth in the summer.

Photo: Action Images

Marcus added 07:08 - Apr 13 PJ seems to be echoing what most supporters have been drilling over the last year: He says his summer signings are more likely to be in the mould of Aaron Cresswell than some of the more senior players who were brought in last year: “We've got to start making progress, bringing younger players through, bringing less high profile players in. “Having said that, supporters love high profile players when you sign them. But look at Cressy. When we signed him I don't think anyone knew who he was and he's been one of our most consistent players and at 22 he's only going to get better.”

0

BehindBlueEyes added 08:01 - Apr 13 Guess we can more than likely say goodbye to Pearce if Burnley are linked to him. Players seem to prefer to work with their old managers and I think if he wanted to come here he'd already be playing for us. Time to move on the the next target...
0

jas0999 added 08:54 - Apr 13 Good to hear - but PJ said the same last year. He will have to improve this pre-season.
0

geography26 added 08:55 - Apr 13 Fingers crossed for Brad Guzan
0

Vic added 09:47 - Apr 13 I'm really glad to hear what he says here - bang on the button. I just hope he can pull things together this time or he won't see the season out. The owner and supporters all need to see real evidence over thenext 6 months of the progress he's talking about here. This isn't a 'get at jewell' comment - just reality. We're trod water for two long now - let's get moving!
0

Michael11 added 09:54 - Apr 13 We already have decent young players coming through like Carson & Hyam and he still plays the old men like Bowyer or Leadbitter who probably isn't even going to stay!!
0

StowTractorBoy added 10:18 - Apr 13 Agree that Pearce will probably join his ex Bournemouth Manager at Burnley but to be honest Pearce does not impress me that much from what I've seen of him. Much rather we get Joel Ward who can play right back or right midfield who fits our requirements in that area. Good call on the Villa keeper Guzan big and strong would love him here. Just hope we don't have another long drawn out summer of disappointment and get the players we want nice and early.

0

itfc94 added 10:19 - Apr 13 the poor guy can't win with us town fans! one minute you moan that youth, hunger and desire should be brought into town, and now your saying we've got that! I think the opposite and i agree with jewell. Carson gets his chance he has to take it, and he doesn't. Leadbitter isnt young and should be let free as soon as we can. He's useless. His ability to control the game is absolutely horrendous! I watched him at Derby and CM's are the players who should work that extra bit more to win the ball and control the game when not going our way. He wasn't good at that, and I dont understand the big rave about him atm. Let him go

0

daniel9624 added 11:42 - Apr 13 Think this is PJ's last window chance. If he gets shot of bowyer, and leadbitter, brings in a quality CB,GK and RB, then picks up two or three younger players from lower leagues then that is a good summer. And it will prove he is going to follow through on the comments he has been making in recent months.
0

Help added 12:13 - Apr 13 All you have to do is address the areas the have needed to be addressed for the last 2-3 years, Right Back, and the obvious need for a no1 keeper and CB's and another striker
0

Michael11 added 14:18 - Apr 13 No i'm moaning that he's talking about it but giving no evidence to back up what he's saying, the only time things started looking up for us was when Hyam came in and Leadbitter was out and now he can't get a look in. Leadbitters not going to stay so why play him, he should give Hyam and Carson etc a chance to get to grips with the league ready for next year.
0

Andy32Cracknell added 16:24 - Apr 13 Why are fans on here moaning about Carson for? No he didn't play great against Leicester. But to be honest i didn't expect him to and nor should other people. Putting things into perspective, the poor lad hasn't experienced first team football for at least 2 months. The second string only have crap teams to play against in friendlies, so this doesn't help and during the game against Leicester he was hardly given the ball to do anything with it. So all in all i think we need to lay off the poor lad. Thankyou

0

marshallmania added 00:09 - Apr 14 Jon Pantsill, 30 years old, frozen out at Leicester, Full back or Centre back, maybe a decent freebie or worth paying a bit for?
0

Keaneish added 15:33 - Apr 14 I reckon the out of contract player is Green from Derby to replace Bowyer.
0

Andy32Cracknell added 14:42 - Apr 15 Panstil is rubbish, He never made it at West Ham i believe it was and now Leicester so i certainly dont want another cast off. We need someone who about 20,21 eager to play in the championship and has a point to prove and who will wear the blue and white top of Ipswich with pride. Oh, hold on a minute, we already have someone Jack Ainsley.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls