Midfielder Jimmy Bullard and boss Paul Jewell are reported to have fallen out over the player’s refusal to relocate from his home in Cobham, Surrey to a new base nearer to Town. Bullard was dropped to the bench for Saturday’s game against Watford after a series of under-par performances.

The commitment of Bullard - who is said to be the club’s highest earner on a wage of £18,000-a-week — is also claimed to have been questioned by team-mates, an “Ipswich insider” telling the Daily Mail: “Jimmy has been bragging about his wages and some of the players are unimpressed by this, as well as his attitude when he larks about in training.

“The gaffer has told him he is unlikely to play if he doesn’t make the effort to move into the area.”

Previous managers Roy Keane and George Burley have similarly demanded that their players live close to the club. Keane fell out with Ben Thatcher and Kevin Lisbie over their refusal to move to Suffolk.

Bullard’s form has dipped in recent weeks during the club's seven-game run of defeats, having been one of the key performers during the earlier good run which saw the Blues into the play-off places.

The 33-year-old signed on a free transfer in the summer after his contract had been terminated by former club Hull City, having enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell at Portman Road last season.

Photo: Action Images

Wickets added 11:18 - Dec 6 Should these details been sorted before we signed him???!!!! if its true.
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Wickets added 11:19 - Dec 6 I was First Souper.
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buryblue77 added 11:19 - Dec 6 No wonder his form has dipped, I'd probably be knackered if I were driving from Surrey to Ipswich everyday just for a game of football!
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Pessimistic added 11:20 - Dec 6 This might explain the below par performances of late. If the players think Bullard is not only the highest wage earner but also receiving preferencial treatment in other respects too, then it is understandable if players don't always feel that committed to the cause.
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BROTHERBLUE1974 added 11:20 - Dec 6 Roy keane scenario all over again. What is going on at this club???? Jewell out...
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Steve_M added 11:21 - Dec 6 Next week, it will be a story about him shagging someone else's wife.... It's fairly obvious why Bullard was dropped on Saturday and the "quotes" look more likely to have come from his time at Hull.
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itfc1981 added 11:25 - Dec 6 Bullard signs contract, Bullard causes trouble. Hull must be rather pleased
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Frase1987 added 11:26 - Dec 6 oh hear we go...
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AlanMahon2011 added 11:28 - Dec 6 Jewell out or Bullard out?
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spanish_archer added 11:28 - Dec 6 Hang on...Clegg said Playford Road is a happy, smiley place....Then few hours later the manager and highest wage earner have locked horns. Clegg Out...David Dein In.
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poggie added 11:30 - Dec 6 Who do these players think they are? So he's not happy with the manager, and takes it out on the club / fans ... disgusting!!
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brittaniaman added 11:33 - Dec 6 240 mile round trip every day my that is a feat on its own, no wonder he needs so much money, he should be knackered before he puts his boots on !!!!!!
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HadleighBlue added 11:37 - Dec 6 What a pantomime - - No wins for weeks - Bullard - involved with legal issues at Hull / having to travel huge distances to ITFC - preferential treatment? - Edwards - issues with the police, covered at great length in the media - Chopra - battling his demons Isn't it about time that someone got a grip?
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arc added 11:37 - Dec 6 Surprise, surprise...
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ericgatesrules added 11:38 - Dec 6 this was always going to happen... club lose 7 on the bounce and dressing room tiffs start to be reported from 'inside sources' talking to newspapers. The sooner we get back to winning ways then this nonsense will stop. PJ to turn it around.
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Marshalls_Mullet added 11:39 - Dec 6 MERCENARY! SAID BEFORE HE SIGNED THAT HE IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!!
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Woodbridgian added 11:40 - Dec 6 Clegg: Playford Road a Different Place Under Paul Jewell Clearly previous post above should read Clegg : I have no idea whats going on at Playford Road.
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algarvefan added 11:41 - Dec 6 A prime example of overpaid flouncing by Bullard, which is why we should be looking to the lower leagues for our players, not signing Premiership egotists at the end of their career who are not team players. He acts like an idiot and obviously is one, he can afford to keep his house in Surrey and rent one in Ipswich. We always blame managers, but I feel sorry for them having to deal with these players, can't be easy. His performances of late have been woeful, stick him in the reserves!

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TrumptonBlue added 11:42 - Dec 6 Player signed after being sacked by previous club for an alleged breach of discipline in poor attitude shocker.
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billlm added 11:44 - Dec 6 explains a lot of whats going on now,, in any work u dont talk wages and brag an expensive outcast if true i can see this costing jewell his job 2 yrs on 18k a week ouch
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james1989 added 11:49 - Dec 6 things just get better and better! bullard shouldnt have to move if he dont want to but bullard is out of order for bragging about his wages! 18,000 a week is abit extreme for someone that doesnt really earn it, people saving other peoples lives out there earning shirt buttons compared to that
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Sindre94 added 11:51 - Dec 6 Bullard is a primadonna earning too much... regret getting him on my back
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Marshalls_Mullet added 11:51 - Dec 6 Could well be speculation. But if it turns out to be true, WHAT A SCUMBAG OF A PERSON. PJ stuck his neck out for this guy, will prob cost him his job.
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BYRNE_16 added 11:53 - Dec 6 unless the club give us something official this is all hear say!
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Marshalls_Mullet added 11:53 - Dec 6 LESSON TO CLEGG; Inset relocation clause in players' contracts, especially when paying an obsceen salary.
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