Boss Paul Jewell says young striker Connor Wickham isn’t yet suited to playing the lone central striking role he currently employs. The England U21 international has been playing on the left of a forward three since the change of management at Portman Road.

Jewell says that while he believes Wickham isn’t his best option in the centre in his current formation, he does ultimately expect the 17-year-old to play in the middle: “I don’t think lone striker would suit him at the moment. We went 4-4-2 in the last 10 minutes against QPR and I think playing alongside someone suits him more.

“Since I’ve been here Connor’s been terrific. I eventually see him playing down the middle alongside AN Other.

“He’s only 17 but he’s learning the game, he’s learning new facets to the game - he’s working defensively. You saw on Tuesday when he picks up the ball and runs at people he’s like a Rolls Royce.

“He’s got that in his locker and we’d love him to be doing that — running at central defenders — more often. He’s got a lot to learn but he’s got a lot of time to learn it in. I think he’s a forward player and that’s where he’ll end up playing.

“But I don’t want to say he’s a centre forward and nothing else because he can play left and right. He’s a forward thinking player. What he’s doing at the minute is really working hard defensively and doing a great job for the team.”

If Wickham remains at Portman Road, he will probably end up in a front two with Jewell keen to revert to the formation he has preferred at his previous clubs once he has added to his squad: “With the players that I had at Wigan and the players that I had at Bradford 4-4-2 suited us. I think at the moment the 4-3-3 suits us better.

“Eventually I’d like to play with two wide players and get the ball down and get more bodies in the box.”

Jewell says he's not one to following changing footballing fashions system-wise: “What happens is when a World Cup comes around and teams play different formations all those coaches go ‘You can’t play 4-4-2 because it’s not sexy any more’.

“What system do Man United play? What system do Arsenal play? They rotate. I’ve been looking at Portsmouth’s system in the scout reports - 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfield players.

“It’s 11 against 11, it’s not quite as simple as that at certain times but it’s not quite as complicated or as difficult as we all like to make it.”

Meanwhile, loan midfielder Jimmy Bullard says he’s loving his time at Town but is yet to make a decision on his future: “Come the end of the season, ask me again and I should be able to give you a more positive answer.

“But I hope that finance is not a big stumbling block. Finance is not everything that I am about. Football is my main prerogative.

“I’m enjoying my time here, but at the same time I have a lot of respect for Hull. I’ve got two-and-a-half years left on my contract, and I respect that contract.”

The 32-year-old’s wages at the KC Stadium are £45,000-a-week, terms which are well beyond the Blues, who are currently only paying a proportion of his salary.

Photo: Action Images

Swoody added 09:29 - Feb 25 £45,000-a-week I would also respect that contract!! Be good to see him stay though.
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DiamondGezzer added 10:26 - Feb 25 Finance is not all I'm about. Football is my main prerogative. In which case Jim, take £15,000 a week and sign here...................!
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FrowsyArmLarry added 10:36 - Feb 25 A clear message from Jewell to Wickham - 'Stay here for another year and I will make you a more complete player'. He's probably right too.
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suffolkpoker added 10:41 - Feb 25 I would say take a £20k pay cut and play for a team and fans that want you. I cant blame the guy, if i was in his postion at his age, its a big call imo
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Karlosfandangal added 10:57 - Feb 25 It really sounds to me that Wickham will go this summer, as its all "if he stays" does not sound good but only to be expected. Would like Bullard to stay, however would be good to get him on a season long loan as we could not afford his wage and the jury is still out on his injuries. With so many out of contract at the end of the season, i can see a big rebuild coming in the summer, at the moment we are in play off form but i can see us as a mid table side next year if we do not keep the core of the team, so i feel promotion will be 2 years away at best.

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Garv added 11:22 - Feb 25 Karlos, the 'if wickham remains at Portman road' bit is part of the story as we know big clubs are in for him, but PJ is saying nothing like that. To be honest I think ill be trusting the words of the manager more than those in lazy tabloid stories between now and the end of the season. No offence to the writer of this story of course.
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Karlosfandangal added 12:09 - Feb 25 Garv Hope you are right as I can see him playing a big role for us next year and if we could get prromoted next year, feel he may stay as it would be a good stepping stone for his career and he would be getting Prem experiance and still only be 19 I can dream
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pazelle added 12:20 - Feb 25 seriously though does any striker playing as a lone man really get that many goals? i think if 442 is the way he wants to play then just start it now after a defeat and give wickham and priskin the berths with scotland on the bench if we need a tap in wickham is like the new stan collymore and priskin is like the new bryan roy i wonder if jewell knows priskin hasn't really ever been given a chance to shine like he did at watford? don't fancy our midfield much with only 2 central scrutinizers though

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Pessimistic added 13:42 - Feb 25 We obvioulsy hope Wickham stays. He is irreplacable.
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