Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has confirmed that his club tried to sign Town striker Jason Scotland prior to Thursday's transfer window closure. On Wednesday, TWTD revealed that the Blues had turned down a £350,000 offer from the Seasiders for the Trinidadian.
Holloway says he missed out on a number of targets including Scotland and former Southampton wideman Jason Puncheon, who joined Premier League new boys QPR: "I would have had Jason Scotland.
"I would have definitely taken him with the way we play. He has played for Swansea and I could have played Kevin Phillips off him.
"Jason Puncheon I’d been after for ages. But if QPR were sniffing around the lad is going to want to go to the Premier League, and maybe that is the reason we didn’t get him.
"The whole day was very disappointing but I am sure we can get over that in the next couple of weeks because I like my squad — I’ve got some cracking players here.”
Even if Town had accepted Blackpool’s fee, Scotland has said that he wants to stay at Portman Road to fight for his place, while the Tangerines would also have struggled to have matched his wages.
Scotland, who is currently in Trinidad, joined Town from Wigan for £750,000 a year ago with his contract up next June.
Meanwhile, Blues boss Paul Jewell has reiterated his intention to talk to skipper Grant Leadbitter about a new contract.
The Town manager says the 25-year-old, a recent target of Portsmouth, is frustrated by his current form: "I think he has been unsettled. In fairness to Grant, he cares greatly about his own game and the team. I think he is as disappointed as anyone and maybe he is just taking that disappointment out — but it is not a sulking thing.
"When you have been beaten five and seven, there are more pressing things to worry about than one player’s contract. All our energies were about getting a result. But we do need to sit down and have a chat and we will do soon.”