Jewell Impressed With Squad So Far
Saturday, 15th Jan 2011 10:17

New manager Paul Jewell says he has been impressed with what he has seen of his Town squad so far. The Blues boss took over on Thursday when he and new coach Sean McCarthy ran a light training session before a more significant workout on Friday.

Jewell said: “It’s going to take a while for me to make a proper appraisal of it, but I’ve been very impressed with the attitude and the quality that I’ve seen so far. We had a bit of a recovery session on Thursday, so Friday was the first real day we had them.

“It was lively, it was a good tempo and hopefully we can take that into the games because the league matches are our bread and butter.”

Jewell reiterated that all the current squad will be given their chance, but that he will look to make signings in the positions he feels need strengthening: “Everyone wants to improve and I’d love to give everybody an opportunity.

“Things happen in the transfer window that perhaps you didn’t see happening. I’ve got a completely open mind. If I think we need strengthening in certain areas and if the right player is out there at the right price, we’ll endeavour to do that. But that would be the same if we were top of the league.

“It’s always important to try and improve what you’ve got, if you can. The offices are closed at the weekend, so nothing will happen on Saturday and Sunday. We want to get the players who are here to improve as well, maybe come out and show a bit more than they have so far.”

The new boss, who says Town have received no recent bids for their players and at the moment all offers would be rebuffed, admits that he’s not yet familiar with all his squad, particularly the youngsters, but hopes to get to know them better next week when there’s no midweek game: “It’s been such a whirlwind that I’ve got to take stock.

"I’m really pleased we’ve got a free week next week so we can have a right good week on the training ground, get to know the players a bit better and then make decisions as and when.”

After two years out of management the 46-year-old felt the old habits returning during the Arsenal game even though he was only an observer from the stands: “I still kicked every ball, I thought the clock had stopped about 20 times in the last 10 minutes. It was great and a great atmosphere for the fans. Everyone was so pleased, the players were delighted and it was a big night for the club.

“One of the main reasons I came here was for big nights like that more often, but there’s a lot of hard work ahead to be able to do that. However, it gives everyone a taste of what it’s like to play in those big, huge matches on a regular basis rather than as one-offs.”

Jewell says he believed he could learn more about the squad by taking a step back on Wednesday: “I wanted to have a watching brief without any responsibilities, seeing it how it really is. Sometimes you can make more objective or better decisions when you’re higher up and not on the touchline and not involved fully.

“On Thursday morning the players were obviously upbeat, but we’ve put that to bed now. That’s gone, we’ve got to look forward to Millwall.”

The new Town manager says his Lions counterpart has impressed him: “I think Kenny Jackett’s done a really good job down there. He’s been there a couple of seasons now and he’s really got them playing.

“It’s typical of this league, they’re a good team and this league is so tight that you couldn’t call too many games this season.”

Meanwhile, former Blues loanees Jack Colback and Andros Townsend have been linked with moves to Leeds and Watford respectively. Townsend's season-long spell from Spurs was cut short before Christmas, while Colback returned to Sunderland shortly before the change of manager at Portman Road.

Photo: Action Images

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Flip added 10:41 - Jan 15 3 points today paul to give ya a good start! COYB
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Garv added 10:49 - Jan 15 I still can't believe townsend was sent back, or if he was recalled because of no game time whatever it was a joke! The only real pace we had down the wings other than peters.
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bobble added 11:02 - Jan 15 i still cant believe keane was sacked i thought he would be here until we were in the 4th.
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tallguy6767 added 11:12 - Jan 15 P.J. is saying all the right things at the moment so hope it transpires into results, I think as a club we deserve some good times again we`ve been through plenty of crap seasons recently, also think the attendances will go up now knob head has gone, lets all get behind the boys and have a strong finish to the season. C.O.Y.B.!!!
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Mark added 11:22 - Jan 15

The priorities have to be getting Norris signed up, and we can get our central defence sorted by getting Delaney and McAuley to sign new deals. As for new players, a right-back and left-sided midfielder have to be the urgent priorities, and a new striker if Fallon goes back.

Jewell mentions strenthening certain areas. I hope he looks at what the side needs and fills those gaps, rather than the approach of the previous manager who seemed to sign the players he wanted regardless of the need for them in the team e.g. spending £1.3M on right-winger Edwards when we had Walters and Peters for that position.

itfc1981 added 11:24 - Jan 15 theres no way Andros would defend well againsts Arsenal, while Jack would most likely come up short. Its for the best they have gone back.
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Flip added 12:23 - Jan 15 Rumour has it, dunno how true it is but, townsend had a fall out with keane cos he was getting all pally with wickham n keane had the assumption he was encouraging connor 2 sign 4 spurs...like I say whether its true or not we all know wot keanos like
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lunatic38 added 13:15 - Jan 15 Roy Keane the King Kock! Good riddance and i just hope Paul can take Ipswich from where "Charlie" kinda set him up. All respect to "Charlie" and shame Keane stunted your style whilst you were here and now for PJ to take the reigns!
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