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Chopra Off to California in Pre-Season
Chopra Off to California in Pre-Season
Tuesday, 15th May 2012 22:25

TWTD understands that Town striker Michael Chopra will spend three weeks of his pre-season preparations at a health farm in California. Blues boss Paul Jewell recently revealed that his squad have been given individual fitness plans for the summer and that some of them would be going on what he referred to as ‘holidays’.

Jewell also divulged that the 28-year-old, who spent time in the Sporting Chance Clinic late last year as he addressed his gambling problems, would be sent to what he called “a retreat” to get into shape for the campaign ahead.

Speaking prior to the end of the season, Jewell said a number of players would be given additional work, although we understand Chopra is the only one off to California: “There will be at least a couple of players who will be going away, shall we say, for holidays in inverted commas, but that’s only to improve their fitness and their mental strength.

“It’s not punishment, it’s to make them better players. I want them to embrace it. We’re doing it for their benefit because we’ve got some good players here and the fitter you are the better player you’re going to be.”

Meanwhile, skipper Carlos Edwards was carrying out some of his 200 hours of community service gardening at an Ipswich care home at the weekend.

The 32-year-old Trinidadian pleaded guilty to various driving offences in October.

Photo: Action Images


Photo: Action Images



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Tiggs added 13:32 - May 16
Bloody disgraceful!
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Devontractor added 14:44 - May 16
The loud minority have excelled on this one: their best ever demonstration of their lack of education, general ignorance and poor attitude to others.
I'm glad to see Chopra being given the sort of help he needs and applaud the club whilst wishing Chops well in trying to turn his life around.
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bigolconnor added 15:46 - May 16
We probably could have just as easily sent him to a substandard but similar facility in Loughborough saving a pittance on travel fees, but he would have come back any better? At least the Americans will have the right bullsh@t believe in yourself approach that will benefit him.
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Urchin added 16:27 - May 16
I think its very difficult for anyone who has not suffered from an addiction or depresssion etc to fully appreciate what it must be like to live day after day with "gremlins" on your shoulders. Therefore I suggest that support and the type of man-management ITFC are displaying should be of greatly welcomed by him. Imho fans should also be proud of what PJ and the senior management are doing to help in order to get the best our of our players. Every seems to moan about how the club was better in the old Cobbold days etc etc days and yet when town now display a caring and supportive manner towards a player its be-littled.
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Dissboyitfc added 18:48 - May 16
Sonia...blue, as i said healthy debate is good , differing opinions are healthy. my point is all 'TRUE' supporters will want to see the fittest and healthiest of players in the team so we we can hit the ground running and get off to a great start. The negative and sarcastic ones are hoping for a poor start (they know who they are) so as to get Jewell out....
Some excellent posts on here, supporting the clubs decision to sort out chops, a fit chops mentally and physically will always get goals at this level...14 goals is after all our best strike rate from a player since Allan Lee ( 5 seasons ago ) and i for one fancy him to improve on that next season...COYB
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Vic added 19:28 - May 16
It's California in Ipswich you wally's, up near Jewsons, not the one in the USA.
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TimmyH added 19:56 - May 16
what a terrible place to go for rehab, he can test his driving skills on Mulholland drive.
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buryblue77 added 20:14 - May 16
I like the fact that players are being given individual training schedules, it recognises the fact the all players are different and have varying levels of natural fitness.
A fully fit and addiction free Chops is probably capable of reaching 20 goals (the apparent and universally recognised mark of a true striker!) and hopefully we'll benefit from it. However, I'd like to see another striker signed to give Chops some competition, he doesn't really have any and knowing you've someone breathing down your neck to take your place is also good motivation. Scotland is a super-sub and occasional starter, but I don't see him as the real alternative to Chopra.
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Johnny_Boy added 20:17 - May 16
Better than sending him to Las Vegas I suppose.
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h32 added 21:46 - May 16
Some of you (you know who you are !!!) are so PATHETIC you will condone even the most atrocious behaviour from players.
REMEMBER we are talking players here who SHOULD be experienced and level headed enough, to be setting examples to the younger players within the Club. Maybe these are indications of how you lead your lives - NOT for everyone, including myself, who may just pride themselves on higher standards of expectancy, and behaviour.
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AlanMahon2011 added 22:02 - May 16
Why not send jimmy and carlos too! imagine the night out in vegas they'll have!!!
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buryblue77 added 22:20 - May 16
h32, trouble is we're talking highly paid footballers (even at Championship standards a player like Chopra will be earning huge money compared to the average person) and a lot of them will struggle as they probably don't have the 'worldliness' about them that most of us have. Although I'm completely agreed, they should know better, I for one cannot believe what's gone on with a (slight) drinking culture that's reared up this season, Chops and Bullard out in Newcastle, Carson's antics in town one Saturday night. It's like a mini return to the 70's but this is 2012, the era of the 'professional' sportsman who doesn't drink, smoke or take drugs and their behaviour is clearly unacceptable.
The trouble is, they are human beings after all and humans make mistakes.
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mattraisin added 22:37 - May 16
h32, if someone in your family had an addiction I hope you'd treat them as you do Chopra. The man plays football for your club, he scores more goals than we have seen in years, he shows how much he enjoys playing for us and you treat him like that. If you ever have a relative with an addiction I pitty them. To write like you Your ATTITUDE is PATHETIC so go C u n t off a cliff!
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Dissboyitfc added 07:13 - May 17
mattraisin...spot on, i have had friends with drink and gambling addictions, and its hard to deal with. H32 in your own words you describe yourself as the almost perfect person, i say almost because you are clearly missing compassion..... coyb
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walberswick added 13:00 - May 17
He's so unstable we have to send him to the USA. He can't be left on his own in his own country.
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walberswick added 13:07 - May 17
Probably sent him to USA because online gambling is illegal.
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h32 added 20:53 - May 17
Dissboyitfc and mattraisin - each to our own - and mattraisin 'do likewise'.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 12:51 - May 18
So h32 - what would you do ? He has this problem, he is our player. Instead of slagging the club off why dont you suggest what the answer is. Sell him ?, Leave him to deal with it on his own ? Or take a positive step like this ?
This is a genuine question, i would like your thoughts on it.
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Tiggs added 13:51 - May 18
He should deal with the problem himself. After all, he get's paid enough money. I'm sure my boss would send me away to California if I had similar problems. Players need to get a grasp of reality I'm afraid. Maybe they would like to do the Job Centre trip for 12 months after being made redundant. Also, people moan about the price of entrance fees to Portman Road, me included. Now you can see why they are so high. The price has seen me drift to non league football and I am so glad I made the change.....
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h32 added 17:56 - May 18
Bobblehat - Tiggs is absolutely right - don't know what you do for a living, but whatever, the chances of you having a 'boss' that would deal with you or anyone else in this way is REMOTE - you know where you would be at the first opportunity your boss had. And it wouldn't be California.

The Club knew the players history before signing him - therefore may feel obliged to accomodate the baggage he brings.
The Club would not have accomodated this kind of player problem in the past for sure - but he's here, and in answer to your question:- I would now give him an agreed period of time TO SORT HIMSELF OUT once and for all - or move on to the next accomodating baggage Club. If he could find one.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:09 - May 18
h32 - Yep agreed, he is a lucky boy that he has had so much support from the club, but is that a bad thing ?.
One thing i would say is that yes everyone knew he had this problem but not to the extent that has emerged (even Dave Jones has come out and said that) but even so im not sure if i would sign him if we had our time again.
BUT we did sign him and im not sure your method would work, if the worst happened and he goes off the rails we have lost a top striker and a large investment, and no other club will want to sign him (not for a fee anyway) If we can keep him on the rails he has the potential to be a top top player in this league.
I take the point about him having enough money and to be honest if it was me i would be offering to pay it myself.
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h32 added 23:38 - May 18
Dozzells Bobblehat - fair comment.
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h32 added 00:01 - May 19
But ......... 'you can take the horse to water - but you can't make it drink'.

Is this the situation with this player ? - I fear so - otherwise it's time he got his act together - and fast.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 12:41 - May 19
h32 - Agreed but surely what the club are doing is "taking him to water". Its then up to him.
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