Blues boss Paul Jewell says his squad were running around as “fresh as daisies” at Friday training despite already having played seven games during the month of March. The Town manager says his players have to impress him in training if they’re going to make his team.

Speaking yesterday lunchtime, Jewell said: “I think they must have read what I said about making changes because they came in this morning and were running around like two-year-olds, fresh as daisies! Really sharp.”

Amongst those impressing him was Jimmy Bullard, recently back from his club suspension for his night out in Newcastle and subsequent lateness: “Jimmy’s doing better. He obviously missed two weeks but he’s coming on. He did well this morning.”

Jewell says good displays in training can gain —or lose- a player a place in the side: “I had a long conversation with Grant Leadbitter yesterday about how important training was.

“I forget which game it was but Luke Hyam had done exceptionally well in matches and then on the Thursday morning Grant was outstanding in training.

“I put him in the team because of his performance in training and he’s been excellent ever since. The players know I put a huge emphasis on what I see on the training pitch.

“Some players have played their way into teams and on the flipside, people have definitely played their way out of teams.”

In the past he has amended his planned starting line-up on that basis: “I’ve changed my mind on the training ground. I’ve gone out with a team in my mind and I’ve changed it when I’ve seen how training’s gone. That’s how vitally important I believe training is.

“Some people are fantastic trainers, some people are more ‘match players’, I understand that, but in the main I believe there are very few players who can turn it on and off like a tap. I think it’s a day-in and day-out thing.”

Photo: Action Images

ITFC4daprem added 11:00 - Mar 31 good
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Kesgraveblue57 added 11:10 - Mar 31 I am so glad to be told that !
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Bergholtblue added 11:30 - Mar 31 Oh well! There goes the 'tired legs' excuse if we don't get three points today. COYB!
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TimmyH added 11:34 - Mar 31 don't expect a win...
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Vic added 11:49 - Mar 31 Excellent My 3:1 town win looks safe then. I find it interesting that he says exactly the same about traininjg as RK used to. I wonder how many other managers have the same philosophy.
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BluedanW added 12:09 - Mar 31 I dread to think what that training session was like, I've got a 2 year old who has been running around like a nutter all morning. let alone having 20 of them!
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KenDubZ added 12:59 - Mar 31 That's what I like to hear! All to many fans say "he played well last week why ain't he starting" yet they don't see them during the week form can come and go so easy and I'm glad Jewell plays his team from what he sees on his training pitch. Keep it up Jewell!
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bluelady added 17:53 - Mar 31 Sadly they played more like pansies today!!! Still a win is a win
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Devontractor added 18:17 - Mar 31 Such an under-current of negativity! Form from last ten matches (which includes the recent draws and losses) if extrapolated over a season would give Town 83 points ie play-offs. Given PJ believes Town are still a work in progress (he knows the weak points as well as the fans) then good progress has been made. Also delighted PJ/NC have been able to persuade Carlos to sign on reduced terms and get Jason Scotland to waive the option on his contract (which suggests he's negotiating a reduced contract). With Leadbitter's recent form I hope they can pull of the same trick with him. Breaks my heart when I see Kelvin Davis playing for Soton though and we're scrabbling around for a decent keeper. Sorry, ALB is error prone and the back four need to be able to trust their keeper. Need GK, LB, 2x CB and striker.

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