Jewell: I've Made Mistakes
Friday, 6th Jan 2012 07:00

Boss Paul Jewell has admitted he made mistakes in his approach to Town’s summer transfer business. The Blues manager says that having initially viewed the job as a long-term venture when he took over from Roy Keane a year ago, his thoughts turned much more towards a quick-fix during a close season in which he signed predominantly experienced veterans.

Jewell concedes that errors were made in relation to that transfer policy: “I think the biggest thing is that when I first came here I was talking about it being a bit of a project.

“Then, all of a sudden, it turned into ‘I think we’ve got to try and get promotion in one year and let’s go with tried and trusted people who have been there, seen it and done it’.

“And really, when you think about it, it’s more of a long-term job, let’s be honest about it. We signed too many players on one-year contracts and loan players, which is not ideal," said the Liverpudlian.

“It’s been a sticky period for the club for the last few years really,” he explained. “I thought maybe the way to get out of it quickly was to try and get players who have been there, seen it and done it and I think we all know we’ve probably signed too many of them.”

The 47-year-old says he accepts the blame for his side’s failings but still believes he’s the man to take the club forward: “I’ll take responsibility for it. I know I’ve made mistakes, but I know I can do this job, I know I’m decent at it.

“I’ve had a tough time so far this season, but nothing in life comes easily, it’s tough. I hope to be here for a long time.

“I speak to the owner every day and it’s a big five-year plan for him, that’s what he said to me after we got beaten by Burnley, and hopefully I’m going to be here to see that out. I’ve made a few mistakes but I want to learn from them.”

He admits that some signings, such as 34-year-old Ivar Ingimarsson’s addition on a free transfer from Reading, haven’t worked out as yet: “Hindsight is the best word in football, the best word in life.

“He played 20-odd games for Reading last season and when they went on a run of 12 games unbeaten he played in every one of them.

“I’ve made mistakes but if you look at my record, I’ve got two clubs up into the Premier League, I’ve stayed there three times and I’ve got to a Carling Cup final, so don’t throw me to the wolves yet.”

Jewell is now targeting younger players — including Leicester’s Sean St Ledger and another mystery man he hopes to sign before Wednesday’s game at Birmingham - for the years ahead to add to the more experienced campaigners: “You can’t get all 16-year-olds in, but we’ve got to start planning now for longer term players. Getting the balance right between experience and youth is something which we’ve got wrong.

“We want to make some signings on a permanent basis, not out of panic but because we need to get some younger players down and try and build for the future, that’s key.”

Despite the Blues currently sitting in 20th, he says he hasn’t yet written the season off: “You never ever know what happens, but the team hasn’t worked out anywhere near how I hoped or anyone had hoped. There are 20-odd games left yet and we’re in a fight at the minute, we understand that.

“The league table doesn’t lie at the moment, but I still believe that we’ve got enough in the squad to finish well away from where we are now, and with a few additions, who knows?

“We’re not giving up on this season because it’s such a crazy league that two or three back-to-back wins and things will look completely different and people’s attitudes will be different.

“I know that the width of a goalpost or a good opportunity missed or a mistake from a goalkeeper or a defender changes people’s whole perception on the season, never mind the game.”

Photo: Action Images

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Karlosfandangal added 09:30 - Jan 6

Creswell has been a big plus this season.

Jet could become a great player for the club and may be the second half of this season but def next season will be a big one for him.

Bowyer and Bullard have been a big let down this season and I expected as did most for them to form the best Midfield in this division alone with Carson.

Edwards I feel has been unlucky playing out of position and felt that with Warba loan signing that Edwards would be pushed up to the right or left of Midfield and that would push Murphy up front to form a partnership with Chopra.

Murphy, Priskin and Ellington I would let go at the end of the season and try to bring in Sharpe and Maynard as they will score goals. Really should not have let Wickham go or at least used the money to bring in Sharpe and Maynard.

Chopra to the bench alone with Scotland. Chopra will do well once he has sorted out his problems so next season will be a big one for him.

Would like to see Andrews here alone with 2 new midfielders a Henry or Treacy or someone who could do a Matt Holland.

Lee Barrett has never let us down but feel we need a keeper to take us forward and one that will stay more than a year.

Collins at the back with Sonko or a new Centreback dont think St Ledger is the answer but could be good for backup, 2 centre back would be nice to push Collins and who ever his partner would be. A right back is a must but need 2 as Edwards is not the answer for back up.

Younger players who will be here for 3 years at least and that could learn the game and start to push us up the table

MaySixth added 09:32 - Jan 6 Refreshed by this from Jewell. None of us slagged Chopra off when he admitted making mistakes.
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Woodbridgian added 09:33 - Jan 6

Agree it's a fairly honest assessment but talk is cheap and its going to be actions and intimately results that change people mind about PJ. I agree with other posters that if he know believes youth is the answer why not try some of the young players at the club right now, such as Smith, Hyam, Carson, Ainsley, Whight can they really do much worse than some of the over the hill over paid excuses being picked week in week out at the moment ? and frankly even if they did I would be more prepared to cheer than on the stands more than I am at the moment.

I am also not interested in the fact PJ has got two clubs promoted, keep them up three times and got to the CC final, whilst its factually true it's a long time ago and more relevant his last 2 appointments have been disasters. The only facts important to me are what are happening right now and I'm afraid that just is not good enough.

itfc1981 added 09:39 - Jan 6
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Town22 added 09:54 - Jan 6 Suddenly Magilton doesn't seem that bad after all!!!!!
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SeasonTKT_Cobbold added 09:57 - Jan 6 The player who's let me down the most is Leadbitter who was here when Jewell arrived. The captain sets the tone for matches, leads by example and encourages others around him. From my seat I see nothing from him!
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wherescounago added 09:58 - Jan 6 Mr Jewell you need to remember that you are only as good as your last game, it doesn't matter what you have done in the past it's the last result that matters.
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tellitasiseeit added 09:59 - Jan 6

At this stage in the season,With the players that are needed, Players coming and going, rebuilding a team once again? Trying to claw our way into the safety zone.I do not think we should get rid of Jewell, at this time? although I think he should have gone several weeks ago. We must swallow our pride give our backing to Jewell. And Mr Jewell take note of what the supporters say We have some very good Managers between us, who know as much if not more than you? The clock is now ticking, Do not make the same mistakes again? COYB

Brazils_Hair added 10:00 - Jan 6

Glad to see that PJ has spoken up and admitted that he has been wrong. He must have been reading the comments on here!

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see him turn things around rather than go through the rigmarole of having yet another manager.

On reflection, he is in a difficult position in having a mute as the club owner and a clown as CEO - then at the other end of the spectrum he has mercenaries (that he has brought in) that are simply underperforming and taking everyone at PR for a ride.

The only way forward for us is to invest in the youth. There is an excellent article on TWTD regarding Ipswich Town 1st and I would urge people to have a look at their website.

http://www.ipswichtownfirst.co.uk/

Particularly the part about the questions put to the club from the Trust. I think they have summed everything up in those questions.

Frase1987 added 10:02 - Jan 6 The only way PJ can save himself is if he signs a load of promising lower league youngsters now and plays them all. At least that'd be progress.
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brogansnose added 10:17 - Jan 6

Seem to remember Keane saying something along the lines of not being a short term job after he had been here for a while.

Despite this the point still remains that even if his 'plan' this season was to have a go for promotion, why the hell has he not got that group of players HE has brought in performing better than the relegation material that they currently are ? Which then begs the question, if we did go up this season would what he has assembled have had a sustainable chance of staying in the Premier ?This is another year wasted carrying on his brief from last season which was to avoid relegation plus the wasted resources in terms of money.

So now we revert to plan A again but i am seriously concerned about his ability to gel a group of players into a team because in theory it should be easier with the experinced players that he has now. This has been a calamatous misjudgement of developing ITFC from Jewell and this is from an experienced manager. At least we could say that Jim was learning his trade and even Keane was less experienced.

Now since we are lumbered with you go away, do your job and make it right..... no more excuses.

Karlosfandangal added 10:18 - Jan 6 Stand up all those that wanted Magilton out bet you wish he was still here
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Karlosfandangal added 10:21 - Jan 6 Stop having a go at Jewell for signing Bullard 95% of fans wanted him here and urged Jewell to sign him afters 5 goals in 16 games Bullard is King Bullard is God make him captain etc. Dont wish too hard you may just get what you wished for
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MattinLondon added 10:21 - Jan 6 He has held his hands up and admitted his mistakes. I was losing faith and will give him another chance...but actions speak louder than words...
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martin12120137 added 10:27 - Jan 6 I was disgusted watching paul jewell at the press confrence s yesterday the way he was slouched in his chair hands in his pockets his body language was sayin he didnt care! No wonder were doing so bad with this attitude! Got to remain positive!
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brendanh added 10:31 - Jan 6 Actions speak louder than words. All this talk of youngsters and long-term plans conflicts with the decision to have a secondary academy. We cannot attract youngsters countrywide like we used to without a class A academy. This club was built on having one of the best youth set ups in the country - a conveyor belt of top players for club and country. No more.
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SouperJim added 10:39 - Jan 6 Can we all move on and get behind the team now? The transfer window is open, he's admitted his error, lets give him the chance to fix it rather than keep calling for the slate to be wiped clean over and over again.
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PauloJulio added 10:52 - Jan 6 Put simply..... Ellington & Ingimarsson ..WTF!!!
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Bluewelshman added 10:54 - Jan 6

PJ has been let down by the players, Cleggy, his staff, his complete lack of tactical nouse, his inability to bring in the up and coming youth player through the ranks, and a chairman who has given him and Clegg as free hand at his club.

The club has at this moment a weak beating heart, not a strong pounding one, and that shows with the utter rubbish we have signed and the staff unable to develop the current crop of youngsters into passable championship players.

Burley understood what it took to create a team and a backroom flowing with pride in working and playing for the blues. When Burley found himself lacking in a coaching capacity he had the guts to bring in help i.e. Hamilton. Swallow your pride and bring in help, Burley would drop anything to assist the town in becoming a sleeping giant again.

At the moment we are slipping down, down, and down, its time for PJ to admit he needs help with the club and the players, either work it out or ship out.

COYB

jas0999 added 10:57 - Jan 6

Fair enough - a fair assessment and yes, it was obvious to most that PJ got it completely wrong - but credit for finally admitting his massive mistake. The problem is PJ goes on about a 5-year plan; but his policy was totally the opposite and has pretty much put us back to square one. What he fails to point out is it was also wrong for the first 8 months of his reign to play just one up front and he even played it again Monday! It's not just transfers, but falling out with players, poor results and performances and the worst run of results since 1994! It's not good - whatever spin some wish to put on it!

Re his comments 'I've made mistakes but if you look at my record, I've got two clubs up into the Premier League, I've stayed there three times and I've got to a Carling Cup final' - this is true; but the biggest concern was this was a LONG time ago. Since then he had a very very poor reign at Derby and was out of football for two years - since then times have changed.

People can slate me if they like, but one year into the job, I have seen absolutely nothing to suggest I was wrong about Paul Jewell. I don't believe he will turn it round - or is capable of doing so - nor do I think he is good for ITFC. I fully expect to see attendances of around 12K if he remains in charge next season. However, despite my obvious lack of faith in Jewell and Clegg - I will continue to support the players and the club; attending games. Worryingly in a recent poll 68% said that they wouldn't unless a change was made and that's ME's dilemma.

People can have a go at me all they want - but it's fair to say PJ's first year in charge has been very poor indeed. Worse still is that Clegg / ME seem to think they can convince us all is well - where any sane person can clearly see it is far from that!

Best of luck to PJ for the remainder of the season - I hope he can turn the club we all love around - but PERSONALLY I don't think he can/will.

WoodfordTim added 10:59 - Jan 6 Bullard, Bowyer, Chopra have not fulfilled their promise. Pity for PJ. Not his fault. We all wanted Jimmy Bullard to come here. And another thing, it's not easy persuading players to move right over to the east coast, so PJ has obviously had to make compromises when trying to get players in. For goodness sake, lay off PJ, SC & ME and get behind the team!
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WorcesterBlue added 11:08 - Jan 6

As usual some thoughtful input here guys. Agree with Martin that PJs body language is worrying as is his general attitude - no enthusiasm, half baked thinking, old ideas, = crap football. My 10 year old said the players didn't seem to know what they were supposed to do on Monday and needed some proper coaching - Forest were poor and there for the taking. Unfortunately it's a few years til he'll get his UEFA A so we'll need to look elsewhere! We need a clear out and a new broom with new ideas but I worry that we'd only end up with Bruce! Seriously worried!!!!!!!

Keaneish added 11:09 - Jan 6

Many professionals don't know what they're doing though KenDubz and looking at our league position and the glaring mistakes Jewell's made, the balance is tipped in favour of him being one of those! I agree it's not yet change time but come the end of this window, if he hasn't solved our defensive issues, brought in players on contracts with longevity and moved us to a safer place in the league then my argument would be he is another one of those!