Boss Paul Jewell says strike pair Jason Scotland and Michael Chopra have played a pivotal role in helping to turn the Blues’ season around. Scotland was out of the side at the start of the season with the Town manager seeing him as an example to other players on the fringes of the squad at present.
Overall, Jewell is pleased with his attacking options: "I think we’ve got some good strikers. Don’t rule Tamás Priskin out, we’ve got Daryl Murphy, Nathan Ellington and we’ve got Emmanuel-Thomas who can play up front.
"But at the moment, if everyone’s fit and firing, Jason Scotland and Michael Chopra are a good partnership.”
The Liverpudlian is delighted with Scotland’s attitude: "I am very pleased with Jason and he’s an example to the likes of Tamás and people like that who think they’re nowhere near the team because Tamás was ahead of Jason in the pecking order at the start of the season.
"Jason has knuckled down, OK he’s in the final year of his contract, but he’s got fitter, he’s lost weight, he’s in good nick and he’s playing well - he’s been a vital part.
"People talk about a lot of other players, but Jason Scotland has been a big player for us in this revival because he’s held the ball up, he’s brought people into play and he’s got us goals as well.
"He’s an example to people who are out of the team because we nearly let him go to Blackpool. He’s grasped the nettle, he’s knuckled down and I couldn’t be more pleased for him. I hope it continues.”
Although Jewell appears unlikely to change his side for this evening’s game against Portsmouth, he does see one drawback with his current strike pair: "We’re not the biggest team in the world, that is one negative for us.
"At times at set plays we look a little bit vulnerable, although having said that Saturday’s was the first goal we’ve conceded from a set play this season. We’ve competed well without being the biggest team.
"Scotland and Chopra have caused teams untold problems and they’ve enabled us to pass the ball because they’ve kept hold of it when it’s gone up to them."