Blues boss Paul Jewell says he has been impressed with the way striker Jason Scotland has forced his way back into the first team picture this season. However, the Town manager concedes that the Trinidadian could still move on if the right offer comes in with Middlesbrough again linked last night.
Speaking after Monday's 3-0 victory over Coventry in which Scotland netted the third goal, Jewell said: "I think Jason deserves a lot of credit. He’s come back and he’s knuckled down. He was out of the picture to start with but has forced his way into the team.
"He’s fitter than he was last year, in better shape and he’s been great around the place. He’s a bubbly character, I don’t know what he says when he speaks, but he makes a lot of noise and it was nice to see him get a goal.”
Joking aside, the Town boss says the two have talked about Scotland’s situation — his contract is up next summer - with Blackpool, Middlesbrough and others having targeted him prior to the transfer window closing: "I’ve spoken with Jason on numerous occasions and I’ve said that if something comes up for him and it suits him [and us then he can go], but while he’s here, like every player, he’s considered.
"He scored against Leeds and he made the second goal against Leeds. He didn’t start against Blackpool but his attitude in training has been terrific from day one of pre-season.
"He’s about three or four kilos lighter than he was and he’s worked really hard on his condition and fair play to him.”
Jewell says he expected the proposed switch to Blackpool to break down: "It was one of those where I gave him the opportunity to speak to Blackpool and I didn’t ever think for one second that he’d agree terms with Blackpool, so it was a bit to give him a fillip, but he was always going to stay here.”
The Blues boss was pleased with Jimmy Bullard’s contribution against Coventry with the midfielder looking closer to full fitness and more like his old self: "He’s like a bad smell at times, he’s everywhere. He’s enthusiastic and he wants to get on the ball.
"He does make us play, there’s no doubt about that. He gives you heart attacks at times but he makes you play.
"We’ve got a lot of experience in that midfield, everyone knows that, but even experienced players can lose confidence.
"We’re not getting carried away but we have had a lack of confidence in the team, there’s no doubt about that. Once we scored the first goal you could feel the shackles coming off the players and you could see they had an extra spring in their step.”
Jewell says the diamond formation utilised against the Sky Blues is one he used previously with one of his former clubs: "We played it at Wigan on a few occasions. Coventry play that way and we decided to match them up.
"I thought we passed the ball well, were fluent in midfield, a little bit open at times but at least we created opportunities and put them on the back foot.”
Asked whether he’ll have a better idea of where his side is after the difficult next three matches against Boro, West Ham and Brighton, Jewell said: "They’re all tough in this league. I think we’ll have a better idea where we are after 46 games!”