Boss Paul Jewell says not too much ought to be read into his recent attendance at two Barnet matches with the Blues keeping a watching brief on around 20 games every Saturday. The Town manager watched the Bees’ Johnstone’s Paint Trophy victory at Colchester a fortnight ago and was spotted at Underhill the following Saturday taking in their 0-0 League Two draw with Accrington Stanley.

Winger Mark Marshall, a recent target of Charlton and a player watched by Millwall, Crystal Palace and Notts County, was the likely target, although Jewell was coy when the name was put to him: “Who?”

The Blues boss says the scouting side of management is something he relishes: “I go to lots of games. Other than by wearing a balaclava, you can’t help but be seen.

“A part of the job I really enjoy is going to games. I find it more difficult here because of the geography.

“When I was at Derby and Wigan, I could be anywhere within a couple of hours. Here, two hours later, I’m still in Suffolk!”

He says he attempts to take in as much football as he can: “I like to try and get to as many games as possible and we probably had about 20 games covered last Saturday, like we do every Saturday.

“Every time there’s a game, we’re looking for the next player that’s going to come from the lower leagues.

“I think it’s important to keep your finger on the pulse of the players who are coming through the lower leagues, or even below.”

Over the summer Town brought in left-back Aaron Cresswell from League One Tranmere, while Jewell’s first Town signing, midfielder Andy Drury, was recruited from Blue Square Bet Premier Luton.

The Liverpudlian says the players he is running the rule over at aren’t just viewed as immediate targets but potential signings later on down the line: “I’m talking about the future really. I’m talking about trying to get players beyond this season as well.

“We all know football and that everything’s short-term, but I think it’s important that we try and get some young, hungry players to add to our squad.

“I was watching a DVD the other night in which Alex Ferguson was talking about not letting a team grow old together.

“We’ve got some experienced players here, and experience is a key factor, but I think we do need an influx in the future of young, strong, athletic type players who’ve got that desire to go with the experience.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Jimmy Bullard’s lawyers are reported to have engaged barrister Nick De Marco, a sports law specialist and one-time QPR director, to help fight the appeal against the 32-year-old’s Hull City sacking.

Photo: Action Images

tractorboybig added 09:02 - Sep 14 An artical released to take the sting out of more pressing urgent issues that are of concern at the moment.
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