Town boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that midfielder Jimmy Bullard has been suspended for two weeks and has revealed that striker Michael Chopra has been fine two weeks’ wages for being late for training after spending Wednesday night out in Newcastle.

Jewell explained his decision at the post-match press conference after the 3-0 victory over Bristol City: “There were two players who were out in Newcastle on Wednesday and at places they shouldn’t have been at times they shouldn’t have been and didn’t make training, or rather were 15 or 20 minutes late.

“I had a decision to make and decided to suspend Jimmy for a fortnight because the one thing that Jimmy loves is playing football and training, so I decided that maybe the best way for Jimmy to learn or to punish him is to suspend him.

“I don’t want to do it but I think it’s the best thing, we have to do something, we can’t have players doing that.”

He confirmed that Michael Chopra, who netted his 100th career league goal against the Robins, will be fined the maximum two weeks’ wages: “Michael Chopra will be getting fined. They’re both guilty of the same crime, to some people it might look a bit strange, but my view, my humble opinion, is to fine Michael Chopra and not to suspend him for two weeks.

“With Chops’s well-documented problems that might be counter-productive. For anyone who is wondering why the decision has been made and how it has been made, they’re the reasons.

“I thought sending Michael away for two weeks would be counter-productive for the team and certainly for Michael.”

Jewell, who says clubs can either fine or suspend players for disciplinary matters, admitted suspending Bullard was a difficult decision to make: “It’s never easy to suspend a player who I have signed twice, who is the life and soul of the dressing room. It’s not easy but what I’ve got to try and do is what’s right for the team or the club.

“The players have made a mistake, but we’ve all made mistakes, I’ve made plenty of mistakes, and I’ve dealt with it the way I feel is best. Whether that’s the right way or the wrong way, I don’t know. But I felt that was the right thing to do for the good of our team.”

The Town boss dismissed suggestions that Bullard, who is understood to have now settled his dispute with former club Hull City, is notorious for off-field issues: “I don’t know that he has got a terrible reputation. I know he’s had documented problems at Hull but this is the first time I’ve ever had a problem with Jimmy and I can only speak as I find.

“I think more importantly he’s let himself and his team-mates down, that’s what’s happened. I’ve dealt with it, whether that’s the right way or the wrong way. I understand I’m going to get questions but I’ve been up front with you, I’ve told you why I’ve done it and what I’ve done and there’s not too much more to say.”

He says terminating Bullard’s contract — as was the case at Hull in the summer after an alleged indiscretion on a pre-season trip to Slovenia — isn’t in his thoughts: “That hasn’t come into the equation.

“He’s late for training — everyone’s been late for training in their life — but the circumstances surrounding why they were late for training are not a normal late for training crime.”

Jewell says Chopra has let the club down given the way they have helped him with his gambling problems: “He has, there’s no doubt about that, but the biggest person he’s let down is himself. He represents himself and he’s let himself down.”

He says the rest of the squad made their annoyance clear: “In fairness to the rest of the players, they were extremely unhappy that they turned up late for training on the Wednesday.

“But life goes on and Michael’s scored a good goal today, has put in a good performance and we’re a better team with him in it, there’s no doubt about that.

“Some people might say that I’m treating people differently but one thing I’ve learnt in football management is that you can’t treat everybody the same. You’d like to think everyone is the same, but it’s all about getting the best out of people, and ultimately the best out of the team. I think he’s been terrific over the last six or seven games, he’s our main player, no doubt about it.”

Jewell quashed suggestions that Bullard might use his time off to take a trip to Las Vegas: “Jimmy would have been happy with a fine. He won’t be in Las Vegas for two weeks because he has to give his whereabouts, every player has to give an address where they’re going to be every day of the week for drugs testing.

“I know Jimmy, he’s a fantastic lad. He loves football, he loves playing, he loves training and he’ll be devastated that we’ve take that away from him for two weeks.”

The Town manager says both players expressed their regret regarding the incident: “They both said sorry. They apologised.

“Both the lads know they’ve let themselves down, they’ve let me down, they’ve let the players down, they’ve let everyone down.

“Sometimes things happen and we’ve got to deal with them. In life nothing goes smoothly, nothing goes the way you expect it to. I don’t want to lambast the players, they’ve made a mistake, it’s a bad mistake, let’s move on.”

Jewell says his squad are well aware of the dangers of social media, Bullard and Chopra’s nights out having been documented on Twitter: “The players know that.

“But the rest of the squad weren’t [out in Newcastle]. The rest of the lads went out in London on Tuesday, bonding, [Bullard and Chopra] broke the rules, that’s it.”

Photo: Action Images

Dissboyitfc added 20:01 - Mar 3 Alfromcol... me plenty of times, but i am not paid Millionaire wages , to keep myself at my optimum fitness, am i? They have the rest of their lives after playing to abuse their bodies and have lie ins. No comparison to a normal persons working life i'm afraid. Loss of earnings would cripple most people...coyb
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shaunest1 added 20:15 - Mar 3 why is every1 slating jas,hes spot on why cant others see that,albeit im glad chops played,but that is definately why,and before you start slagging off im a town diehard for 30 years
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cooper4england added 20:19 - Mar 3 THE BELOW IS SUSPENDED PURE GOSSIP BASED ON NO EVIDENCE. perhaps the reason they are being treated different is because its Chopras first offence- that "flu" Bullard had over new year was suspect. Perhaps that was a "verbal warning". Fear for Bullard that he will be another Gazza, got all the traits including big nights out in newcastle! Did the newcastle 2 actually start the night in London? I thought the Spring Rd pub trawl was impressive...........

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cooper4england added 20:20 - Mar 3 THE BELOW IS SUSPENDED PURE GOSSIP BASED ON NO EVIDENCE. perhaps the reason they are being treated different is because its Chopras first offence- that "flu" Bullard had over new year was suspect. Perhaps that was a "verbal warning". Fear for Bullard that he will be another Gazza, got all the traits including big nights out in newcastle! Did the newcastle 2 actually start the night in London? I thought the Spring Rd pub trawl was impressive...........

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newboy added 20:34 - Mar 3 why are they treated differently same crime same punishment and with all the club has done for chopra he should be on the worst end of the punishment not getting off lightly another foul up by an inadequate manager
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Garv added 21:02 - Mar 3 "Why are they treated differently?" Why don't people read the article?
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Tractorboy24 added 21:24 - Mar 3 Agree garv, it's been explained, certain people react to different punishments, chopra clearly can't be left at home for 2 weeks. Bullard isn't short of a few quid, and now his dispute is settled with hull, I can't see him worrying about being paid £36k instead of £72k. All makes perfect sense, well done pj.
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BlueFinn added 21:45 - Mar 3 Jimmy Jimmy,silly boy. Bullard seems to be a bad influence everywhere he goes.
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Whymarktonomarks added 21:48 - Mar 3 Let's get real people . Everyone's ok with the decision because we won and Chops scored . 3-1 , to Bristol Titty and Chop's having a 'mare,' it would of been the wrong call because Bullard should of been on the bench to score 3 free-kicks .
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CornardBlue added 21:51 - Mar 3 It is about time both these players grew up, they have both let Paul Jewell and all Ipswich supporters down. Hull supporters were right about Bullard, he only thinks of number one. Last season when no other club wanted him PJ gave him a chance, he charmed all us supporters became player off the year and won himself another big fat contract. This season he has done nothing for the club except take a big fat cheque every week. As for Chopra the club has done everything they can to help him over his problems then this incident happens, at least Chops is working hard on the pitch.

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ClassyCranson added 22:06 - Mar 3 Good management from PJ. I expect Jimmy to take it on the chin and come back determined and with a point to prove.
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menacinho added 22:48 - Mar 3 Garv - they don't read the article because they don't want anything to put them off having another anti PJ rant. Just waiting now for Jas to post his comments about today's win in the relevant thread; no doubt he will say the quality of the performance is down to the PA announcer, the tea lady or maybe the caterers; anyone but PJ of course. Tedious.
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Dissboyitfc added 22:49 - Mar 3 Shaunest1.. he invites it, it is right that everyone has an opinion, but it has to be balanced and fair, We could win all our remaining games, go up automatically and jas would say it was the marcus evans talk b4 the west ham game, the guy is losing all credibility with the nature of his posts...coyb
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Sindre94 added 01:05 - Mar 4 Exactly GARV, people are to ignorant to face the truth
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arablue added 04:56 - Mar 4 Jas, simply shocking...never thought you would stoop so low, your views are so coloured, your rationality terribly misplaced to the point of letting your emotions to completely overwhelm your actions, and your comments reduced to the mere and somewhat sad rant of a beyond disgruntled fan of this great club... Personally thought it was excellent man management by PJ...my line of work involves managing high achievers with equally huge ego...we would have lost terrible amount of money if we are not flexible and exercise diligently our God given skills in managing our talents...

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flashblue added 06:56 - Mar 4 Don't forget, Bullard doesn't get paid during the two week suspension, so they really have not been treated that differently, just bullard told not to come in, which is right seeing as he's not in the team anyway.
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dirtyboy added 08:29 - Mar 4 Those who are saying it is the wrong treatment clearly don't manage people themselves. Some people react to a pat on the back some don't, some need to be shouted at, then you'll get a reaction, others will sulk and go off the boil completely. As a manager it's your call on getting the treatment right. PJ has been honest with ITFC fans from the start and continues to do so. Whether what he has done is correct only those inside the club will know, but his reasoning makes sense. It's a tough call but rules are rules, if he has the powers to choose the punishment, then he should do what he feels is right. He has my support.

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hairbear added 08:49 - Mar 4 Whilst I agree that its not a good idea to have chopra sitting around for two weeks , it does seem like bullards got the rough end of the stick. Fans at Portman road were singing chopras name on sat and calling for jimmys contract tobe cancelled on these forums over the same crime. I know its an if but if Jimmy had been in the side would he have been suspended? I think not.

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hairbear added 08:50 - Mar 4 Whilst I agree that its not a good idea to have chopra sitting around for two weeks , it does seem like bullards got the rough end of the stick. Fans at Portman road were singing chopras name on sat and calling for jimmys contract tobe cancelled on these forums over the same crime. I know its an if but if Jimmy had been in the side would he have been suspended? I think not.

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bluearmy4life added 09:51 - Mar 4 Good decision from PJ on both players.
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Gazelle added 11:13 - Mar 4 Why were they treated differently ? Guess we hav'nt been told all the facts and quite rightly too but there were one or two rumours kicking about the ground yesterday which if true prove that PJ was spot on.
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roytheboy added 11:14 - Mar 4 Faced with having to make very difficult and controversial decisions, Paul Jewell has in my opinion, dealt with this issue very wisely indeed, he is now showing his quality as a Manager, thank goodness that the owner never allowed himself to be influenced by the premature cries to have him sacked, the team are playing their socks off for him now.
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bluelady added 11:34 - Mar 4 A thought perhaps Jas is Roy Keane?!!!!! He never had a bad word to say against the Dark Lord !!
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bluelady added 11:38 - Mar 4 Perfect man management hit the player where it hurts them the most, a fine for bullard would be laughable on his salary..... chopra responded with a fantastic performance, I bet that goal was for PJ!
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Strikes added 14:15 - Mar 4 PJ's got this right. I was wondering why the players had been treated so differently but his explanation makes perfect sense. A Chopra suspension around the same time as the Cheltenham Festival could have gone very badly wrong.
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