Jimmy Bullard
POLL: Is it time for Ipswich Town to part company with Jimmy Bullard?
WEB EXCLUSIVE
By Dave Gooderham and Stuart Watson
Thursday, August 9, 2012
4:06 PM
JIMMY Bullard’s career at Ipswich Town is set to be over just nine days before the new Championship season starts.
The club are today keeping tight-lipped about the future of the 33-year-old who has been subject of growing speculation over the last few days after failing to feature in the last three pre-season friendlies.
We understand the playmaker is close to leaving Portman Road, possibly as soon as the weekend, with a loan move or having the final year of his contract paid up among the options.
The writing was on the wall when Bullard – whose last competitive start was in the 4-0 defeat at Burnley last November – was selected for a second string friendly at Braintree Town rather than the first-team match at Cambridge United just 24 hours later.
He then started the 2-0 defeat against Luton Town but his 45 minutes at Kenilworth Road were his last in a Town after Paul Jewell didn’t pick him for subsequent friendlies against Southend, West Ham and Colchester United.
On Saturday, Town assistant boss Chris Hutchings said the midfielder was out of the equation while Jewell refused to comment on Bullard’s future last night following the 2-1 win over the U’s.
The Blues boss just said: “I spoke with Jimmy and at the moment he’s not in the squad, simple as that. There’s nothing untoward. I don’t see the point of him sitting on the bench and getting 10 or 15 minutes.
“He wants to play football, he works ever so hard in training every day, but at the moment it is just not happening for him.”
Bullard originally signed for Jewell and Ipswich on loan in January 2011 and his sparkling form earned him the Supporters Player of the Year title – despite only being at the club for three-and-a-half months.
After his contract with Hull City was terminated, Bullard signed a permanent deal at Portman Road – to the delight of the Super Blues.
But he made just 13 starts last season and ended a disappointing campaign with a two-week suspension after turning up late for training following two nights out with Michael Chopra in Newcastle.
Jewell, who has changed his policy towards “young and hungry” players, is expected to speak about Bullard to the press at tomorrow’s club open day with the midfielder unlikely to feature in the official squad photo.
* Buy tomorrow’s Ipswich Star and EADT for more on this breaking story
* What do you think? Should the club get rid of Bullard or give him one more chance? Let us know your thoughts below
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19 comments
The out of position point is a total red herring. Bullard is a professional footballer and should be perfectly capable of being played in a slightly different part of the midfield. Did this cause his night out in Newcastle? Did this cause his lack of fitness and form? Hardly.
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Tom
Friday, August 10, 2012
I think the player should have been left in the position he likes to play in. As soon as he was made a permanent player he was asked to play here, there, and anywhere that Paul Jeaell wanted him to play at. Not JBs fault that, the managers fault. If you are going to blame him for going to some nightclubs then i'll think youl'l find he has not been the only one, and others have been worse. Jason in his comments says he's our worst ever signing. Only thing to say to Jason is that you must have been in too many nightclubs yourself. Wake up lad, plenty more worse than JB im sure.
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bismark
Friday, August 10, 2012
Those having a go at PJ over JBs signing have a v short memory. This was a man voted fans player of the season when he was on loan. This was a man whom the whole of Portman Rd demanded be signed up. We all felt the club should do all they can to bring him here and they did. Almost without exception we all thougfht this was a good idea, we all wanted him. Now it hasnt worked out, but Jimmy only has himself to blame. He has warnings, not just here but at previous clubs too.
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TrueBlue
Friday, August 10, 2012
The question appears to ignore the fact that no club would wish to take on board the cost in wages terms when viewed against possible benefit. Irrelevant poll !
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woshaapernin
Friday, August 10, 2012
Motivated and played in the right position he is a class above. Would like to hear about any non-football reasons that may be contributing to this situation ......
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Lindsay Ferguson
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Are mistakes made in the transfer market by PJ & SC the reason ME is keeping a much tighter control on the funds released to bring in new players to Portman Road? How will this effect attendances next week?
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Neil Gedny
Thursday, August 9, 2012
At the risk of sounding repetitive, I can only agree with the rest of you. Talented player at Premiership let alone Championship level. If only he would concentrate on his job - being a footballer - and not playing the clown!
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Richard Gardiner
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Terrible signing, by a terrible manager. PJ has excelled himself here - many, me included, warned of the dangers of signing this utter waste of space. Hull fans warned us. I am bored of people saying 'every Town fan wanted us to sign him' ... NO! I for one thought it was an utter waste of money. This guy is one of the worst permanent signings ever! PJ OUT!
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Jason
Thursday, August 9, 2012
More evidence of Jewell wasting money, as he chose to buy Bullard, who was unanimously player of the year, because of his form in one position, and as soon as he signed permanently, Jewell played him in a completely different position. When Bullard's form slipped, Jewell then dropped him completely, and then many months later, we are told it is Bullard's fault. Get rid of Jewell as soon as possible, before he wastes even more money. Further evidence of how not to run a football club at any level.
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Kevin Bailey
Thursday, August 9, 2012
he has let down itfc and fans...what a waste of talent..and time and money for is!!!
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keith matthews
Thursday, August 9, 2012
How can any of you honestly comment on this question? We haven't seen him for any sustained period in a Town shirt for almost a year. Fine, his wages are painful, but Jewell's man-management is abysmal.
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I am Spartacus
Thursday, August 9, 2012
A real shame as Jimmy is a good footballer on his day. I think its time to go.
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Daley
Thursday, August 9, 2012
The fact is that Bullard was a good premiership player 10 years ago but is now at the twilight of his career. He does have talent but lacks application. Only PJ and the coaching staff see him in action day in day out around the club, not the posters on this board who profess to know the details of every movement he makes. And to describe a player who never played for a top premiership side, let alone his country, as having incredible talent and being a great player, is quite frankly laugable.
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Tom
Thursday, August 9, 2012
not wanted at hull,given a break by town,didnt take it, move on,really sad.
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david peters
Thursday, August 9, 2012
The writing is on the wall - time to leave with dignity.
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The original Victor Meldrew
Thursday, August 9, 2012
This is a shame. JB is a great player but his attitude really can let him down. Failure to learn from mistakes has cost him. Think this is the best decison all round but hopefully a season long loan deal will materialise, or a move to China. I suspect he is on pretty big money and that could be reinvested elsewhere.
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TrueBlue
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Shame, as Jimmy is one of game's 'characters', what the game and club needs to get away from the tedium of monotonous manual coaching- a one-off, not a production line footballer. Lack of self-discipline at 33 should have, or man management?????
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Brian Wren
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Yes, I think that Bullard's time is up, discipline is not a strong point with him and with ITFC now concentrating on younger players, the last thing that we would want, is Bullard influencing them in the wrong way. Pity in some ways, because I think that he is still a talented player, however rumours suggest that he would rather spend his time tasting the nightclub life, what a waste.
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NB
Thursday, August 9, 2012
This is a man who has an incredible talent, unfortunately he doesn't appear to have the attitude to match.
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MOTT MIKE
Thursday, August 9, 2012