Boss Paul Jewell says that if there’s a possibility of signing loan midfielder Jimmy Bullard on a permanent basis from Hull City in the summer, Town would look at it. However, the Town manager admitted that with the 32-year-old having two years remaining on his £45,000-a-week contract, the financial side of a deal is a potential stumbling block.

Jewell said: “When Jimmy first came here it was only going to be a short-term loan to give Jimmy games to see if he liked it here.

“I knew what he could do and I think he’s brought a breath of fresh air to the place, the players love him, the fans love him, sometimes I like him.

“It’s something that if it could be done, certainly we’d like to. Whether it can be done, obviously the financial restraints are very high, it’s something that we’ll have to speak about.

“If there’s a possibility that something can be done - and I know the owner is as ambitious as I am - we would look at it.

“But it’s only a possibility and we’ve got other players’ contracts to sort out first and I don’t want to get into the realms of a Jimmy Bullard saga in the last seven or eight weeks of the season.”

Chief executive Simon Clegg is refusing to be drawn on the issue: “I’m not prepared to comment on Jimmy Bullard’s future. What I can say is that we are delighted with Jimmy’s contribution both on and off the field since he arrived at Portman Road.

“We are focusing on building for the future to see what we can achieve next season. The manager and I have a strategy that we are working on and the club chairman and owner has bought into that.”

Photo: Action Images

uppersirbob added 15:22 - Mar 7 If we want to go up we need players like bullard but not on 45k a week to upset other players been there done that havent we
0

btrevelyan added 15:22 - Mar 7 This really needs to happen, Jimmy's that creative midfielder that we have been lacking in recent years, he's the kind of player who can pick out a pass that will get someone through on goal. His set piece taking is also something that we need in the team. We haven't had that sort of player since Magilton left.
0

suffolkpoker added 15:25 - Mar 7 wheres all the other comments gone? :)
0

ThatMuhrenCross added 15:28 - Mar 7 If we fail with Bullard... Ambrose??? Why not even both?! That would add competition for places! If we can get in Billy Sharp to go alongside all that, I think the man management skills of Paul Jewell could very well get us nearer to a play-off place next season! :)
0

Lamby95 added 15:28 - Mar 7 “I knew what he could do and I think he's brought a breath of fresh air to the place, the players love him, the fans love him, sometimes I like him. Seems like some really good banter between manager and players. Hoping we don't become tok relaxed and not focused on the job in hand
0

exeterblu added 15:29 - Mar 7 Bullard has shown recently what quality he has. Just hoping he stays fit ! Also, looking on the 606 Hull board, and speaking to a few uni mates who support the Tigers, looks like they mainly want shot of him and his wages. They may even let him go for free (although to settle his contract would cost a million or so, which they would certainyl look for us to pay..). Heres hoping it can happen tho !

0

urbanblue added 15:30 - Mar 7 I think if a deal can be done it will all be about just how much Jimmy wants to stay here. If he carrys on playing like this you can betcha we won't be the only club after him !
0

arc added 16:03 - Mar 7 Trouble is, if he keeps playing as he is, there'll be plenty of bigger, richer clubs than us in for him. He'll have Premier clubs after him at this rate.
0

AmberAndBlack added 16:16 - Mar 7 This is where you willl find out what Jimmy Bullard is like. Have you spotted how often he has said "It's not about the money". He as another 18 months of his contract at City from this Summer. At 47k a week thats £3.66m. I dare say we would waive a fee, so you will have to pick up the salary. Is he REALLY worth that to you? Bare in mind he will be 33 at the beginning of next season and he is VERY fragile. Don't get me wrong I hope you take him, from our point of view, but you will have to buy his contract. If you think he will come to you by waiving a portion of his remaining salary, dream on.

0

homer_123 added 16:52 - Mar 7 @AmberandBlack - in all fairness to him - there is no reason for him to give up his £47k a week contract. It's not his fault you were willing to pay that to him. He really does love his football but he's not stupid. He might be willing to drop his demands a bit to come here, he might not - if he keeps fit and playing as well as he has been - we won't be the only Club in for him. There will be Clubs (with money or not) willing to do something to get a player like Bullard.

0

Ipswich24 added 17:13 - Mar 7 @Amberandblack- Jim Bullard Bullard he better than Steve Gerard He fitter than Frank Lampard Jim Bullard Bullard. Alltogether now.
0

DiamondGezzer added 17:17 - Mar 7 Jimmy Bullard has dipped his toe into Ipswich waters and is enjoying it. We've all made him feel welcome, and with Paul Jewell at the helm, I'm sure if something can be sorted out I reckon Jimmy will be up for it ! IMHO.
0

Garv added 17:43 - Mar 7 AmberAndBlack - how does Jimmy not get in your side????
0

dirtydingusmagee added 17:46 - Mar 7 AmberAndBlack, I may be wrong , but you actually come across as being a bit sour about J B being with us and perhaps staying.You certainly spend time on this forum commenting on him .
0

Mungo added 18:47 - Mar 7 AmberAndBlack - We all understand your point. From Hull's perspective JB was a massively expensive signing that hasn't worked out at all. He will have 2 years left on a salary that no team is going to take on (given his age and injury record in recent years, which you have pointed out). Ipswich had a similar situation with a number of players following our relegation from the Premiership (many moons ago!) From JB's perspective, he knows that will be his last bumper contract, so why should he simply give it all up? I doubt I would give up a £2m a year contract that willingly! Would you? In reality, not only are Hull likely to have to waive any sort of fee, but it is likely that you will have to come to a settlement on his contract just to save what money you can if you want him to move on... From a footballing perspective, I do hope Ipswich, Hull and JB can come to an arrangement that everyone would be happy with, as he is a good player at this level

0

jas0999 added 18:54 - Mar 7 Although quite obviously Bullard has a lot of quality, I simply don't think any player is worth £45K a week in the Championship. Rightly on this occasion, I doubt Clegg would even consider doing a deal if Bullard wants more than £15K. Bottom line is I would be surprised if Bullard signed for us - and disappointed if we paid an absolute fortune for him. We have other key areas which need strengthening.

0

ShropshireBluenago09 added 20:38 - Mar 7 PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS! a creative, passing midfielder is what we have been missing since Petta, Reuser, Holland...
0

corshamblue added 08:26 - Mar 8 Ambrose, Billy Sharpe and the outside change of Bullard ? Luca gettings stronger and Martin running up and down giving 100%, just need 2 CB's to sign and LB and RB and only then we'll almost have a team !!
0

TheHazster added 09:15 - Mar 8 hopefully he will decide he wants to play for ipswich, then go and terminate his contract at hull and he agree to pay him his 47.1k a week contract. this is because we wont have to pay the 2 million pounds he is probably worth so its good business.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls