Town manager Paul Jewell was spotted at Southend’s 1-0 victory over Stevenage this afternoon, the second time in a week the Blues boss has visited Roots Hall. Shrimpers youngster Kane Ferdinand is understood to be reason for his regular trips to watch the League Two side.

Last Friday, Jewell and coach Sean McCarthy saw the 18-year-old midfielder score one of the goals as Southend beat their old Bradford City side 4-0 and that wasn’t the first time a Town representative had been spotted at Roots Hall in recent months.

In February, reserves coach Chris Kiwomya watched Republic of Ireland U21 call-up Ferdinand score his first senior goal in a 3-2 victory over Wycombe Wanderers.

Newham-born Ferdinand, a cousin of Manchester United’s Rio and Sunderland’s Anton, has been with the Shrimpers since he was 13 and recently put pen to paper on his first professional contract, a deal aimed at keeping him with the Essex club for two-and-a-half-years.

Ferdinand, who is 6ft 1in tall and can also play at centre-half, has made a huge impression in his 17 starts and two sub appearances since breaking into Paul Sturrock’s first team in January. Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Hove Albion and Charlton have all also been linked.

Speaking last week in the wake of Jewell’s appearance at the Bradford game and reports that Forest’s football consultant David Pleat had also recently been at Roots Hall, Ferdinand said he was taking the speculation in his stride: “I don’t let any of that get to me and, to be honest, I didn’t even know anything about it until I read it in the paper.

“A lot of the stuff that’s been printed isn’t even true and I certainly won’t be affected by it. I will just concentrate on doing well for Southend and helping us win the matches we have left this season.”

Photo: Action Images

jas0999 added 17:49 - Apr 22 Although it would seem very sensible to look for affordable players from the lower leagues, after last night's showing it would seem we are in need of more seasoned, experienced players. No disrespect to this guy, but at 18 he must surely only be one for the future, as we already have several youngsters in and around the first team squad.
0

RetroBlue added 18:14 - Apr 22 peope maybe jumping the gun slightly here. Just recal only earlier this week PJ stating that he will be happy to create a "dada's army" here at Ipswich for next seasonie he's going after experinced players. He also said he's after players at the end of their contracts - some from the Premiership. That could mean many players, that could do a job at this level..ie Roberts , or Ellington. But PJ is a VERY astute manager, and if he sees a future hot prospect that other clubs have not yet picked up on, he will be in for them, at cheap prices. ie Drury , who looked more effective than eiter Leadbitter or Norris , when he came on last night !

0

fourth added 18:38 - Apr 22 don't overestimate Leadbitter
0

RetroBlue added 18:42 - Apr 22 Im not...he'd struggle to make tea !
0

footyblue added 19:34 - Apr 22 well watching the experienced players last nignt we had I would rather watch the youth any day
0

broomfield123 added 21:08 - Apr 22 Hope he can pee in a bottle better than Rio can. We wouldve been better of watching southend . Least it would have nice to see some team in blue win. Spend a bit of time at the seaside enjoying the weather then the nightlife with those lovely lasses in southend. Happy days
0

OldClactonBlue added 21:28 - Apr 22 He must be more effective than Leadbitter, if if he sits on the bench so someone else could play instead. I'm afraid both Leadbitter and Norris were totally shown up by the Norwich midfield. Neither of them do any sort of job properly. Even if he was ovweawed Carson was different class to both of them. We obviously need a midfielder who can defend, along with two full backs too. Ferdinand may be a good prospect, there's nothing wrong with that.

0

bluelady added 21:40 - Apr 22 Good prospect and look at norwich no big names there just a team that plays for the manager and not a premiership reject like most of keanes signings
0

bontcho added 22:02 - Apr 22 If he's good enough he's old enough. Left back is certainly an area to strengthen with O'Dea going and Kennedy getting injury prone in his old age.
0

Back_The_Boss added 22:08 - Apr 22 Roots Hall is like a second home for PJ at the moment, he seems to be there every week!
0

footyblue added 10:50 - Apr 23 stop harping on about keanes so called flops Jewell is happy to keep playing them as well so we have to accept they are here to stay and are wanted by the manager he wants a team of old boys that get found out week in week out I feel sorry for the likes of Jaime Peters Luke Hyam (defensive midfielder and we were 2nd when he played) shane O'Conner etc all better players than those I watched Thursday night

0

SouperJim added 12:40 - Apr 23 Leadbitter is an attacking midfield player who has been playing the holding role for us ever since he signed. Don't judge him too harshly, there is a good player in there.
0

DiamondGezzer added 13:54 - Apr 23 Its find a scapegoat time folks ! Roll up, roll up ! Time to jump on the band-wagon !
0

bluelady added 17:24 - Apr 23 Diamond I blame you lol!!
0

WarkyWonderLand added 20:48 - Apr 23 Deep breaths all round I think. Disappointing that when we have had decent results numbers of posts reduces yet in the face of adversity everyone finds it easier to have a moan!! Yep, we were thoroughly beaten by a team that has been put together over the past 2 years and rebuilt after relegation. We have never done that since we got relegated as Jim and RK did not have the managerial ability. Its no coincidence that those teams up the top have been built and have experienced managers. PJ has done what he needed to do and save us from relegation, I firmly believe that we would have still be struggling at the bottom with no change and thats obvious. Look at the players from their team on Thursday who have come from lower leagues and how much they cost. They are hungry, have youth and pace. There are players in the lower leagues out there who are good enough. We need more pace in the team which includes tthe spine and especially left side. I am behind PJ 110% but a bit surprised we haven't seen O'Connor play. He is pacey and gutsy. This season when PJ came in was never realistically to get top 6 as we are never good enough. We will see a very different side next season thats for sure and we need to get behind them. Look at the noise the away fans generate at PR. We the fans need to raise our game next season at PR from the off and get some good, easy to know songs going. We used to do it but where has that gone. COYB

0

nickforeveritfc added 05:49 - Apr 24 Totally agree with you there warky don't let this defeat get you down we won the last four out of six games and drew one that's 17 points out of 24 to be honest if we can do that with keanos players think of how good we will do next season with pjs players. Yeah there needs to be more noise from the home crowd but I think that Is due to the poor performance this season and the situation of the away supporters there to far away they need to bring them towards the north stand end of the cobbold.

0

Worcester added 00:18 - Apr 25 We need a striker, two of them PJ, preferably ones that can score goals not just eat pies. Have you been looking at those too?
0

WorcesterBlue added 17:20 - Apr 26 People said Simeon Jackson wasn't experienced enough and was a risk - do we wish we'd taken that risk now? YES. Keep looking around ad let's get some hungry, fast players who want to play quick passing proper football! As for Leadbitter - neat and tidy and some good skill but one paced which makes him a very limited attacking midfielder. Along with guileless Norris, just not good enough in CM which is the heartbeat of a passing team- the last two seasons prove it. Leave 'em out and let's see how Drury, Bullard and Hyam go on Saturday.

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls