I have always been in the "give Paul Jewell more time" camp. There is though no doubt in my mind that he stumbled on the successful formula that gave us the energy and drive to steer clear of relegation. Tommy Smith, Luke Hyam and Andy Drury all deserve enormous credit (along with others of course) particularly from coming back from the wilderness to demonstrate to the senior players what it really should be like to play for the shirt. Had Jewell not been so p"*s poor in the transfer market in trying to get a couple of decent defenders permanently into the club we may have been much further up the table. The complexion may have been very different now and I suspect Luke and Tommy may have been on their way for definite and Andy Drury sold. These lads deserve their rewards for their enormous part in bringing us back from the brink and help provide us with the best spell of football we have seen at PR for a few years. I am big believer in loyalty and whilst Tommy Smith and Luke Hyam might not be first choice by preference these lads to me demonstrate a lot of what Ipswich Town should be about.

I suspect we will await the final deliberations of the Portsmouth talks and closing of the loan window. I suppose if we were to sign Pearce and Ward then this would definitely be the end for Sonko or Smith. I dont think for one moment Pearce will come to Ipswich. He is a south coast lad and with reported interest from Southampton and West Ham we clearly will be off his radar. For what its worth in 3 years time when Tommy is the same age as Pearce I think Tommy will be more than an equal defender.

He's getting better by the game and I believe a decent solid centre half alongside him and Tommy will become a decent centre half himself. He's still only young and is totally committed. Sign him up and give Hyam a better deal at the same time please

Thursday loan deadline passes and the Pearce from Portsmouth deal came to nothing then?

Has come on leaps and bounds this season and has given some excellent performances after a nervous start. Just ask Kenny Miller. Everyone complains about journeymen has-beens but when one of our own comes through the ranks they are immediately written off if they make mistakes (Trotter, anyone?) Still young for a centre-half and improving by the day. Players like Tommy should have the chance to be the future of this club. Sign him up before someone else does.

Next Thursday I think Martlesham not yesterday.

His improvement alone makes him worth a one plus one deal. Hope he gets it.

Thanks Garv, got a bit ahead of myself!!

He needs a two year deal, which extends to three based on appearances. That is what players of his age need as an incentive.

Give Tommy a new deal..he's proven his worth over the last couple of months.

@Kingchopra - out of all of what i said the only point you picked up on was that "he comes over to the North Stand" Cleraly a minor point but something i like to see. It niggles me that certain players jog off down the tunnel as soon as the whistle blows. Wouldnt hurt all of them to acknowledge all 4 sides of the ground.