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.