Luke Hyam
Kids have to earn their chance, says Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell
By Stuart Watson
Saturday, April 14, 2012
7:00 AM
IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell has told supporters that he won’t just ‘throw the kids in’ over his side’s remaining four Championship games.
The Blues play at Crystal Palace in a fairly meaningless end-of-season mid-table clash this afternoon.
But while Eagles boss Dougie Freedman is likely to hand young talent such as Wilfried Zaha, Nathaniel Clyne, Stuart O’Keefe and Kyle De Silva more valuable first team experience, Jewell remains reluctant to throw his academy-produced players in at the deep end as his side finish a disappointing campaign in promotion form.
“The supporters would like to see one or two youngsters, I understand that, and they might well see one or two,” said Jewell. “But at the same time we still want to win matches.”
Young trio Luke Hyam, Josh Carson and Jack Ainsley have received limited game time this season, while Joe Whight is yet to experience first team football in his first season as a full professional. Instead the likes of Daryl Murphy, Grant Leadbitter and Lee Bowyer – all of whom could well be leaving the club this summer – continue to start.
Asked if he understood why many fans have been calling for youngsters to be played, Jewell said: “Of course I can. There’s a debate every week about which team you’re going to pick though isn’t there? We want to strike a balance between having one eye on next season but also finishing strongly.
“Listen, we haven’t got 10 youngsters who are going to set the world alight. It’s okay people saying ‘throw the kids in’, but they’ve got to earn that right to get in the team.”
One young player who could get his chance is schoolboy Byron Lawrence, the 16-year-old versatile midfielder who was on the bench for the Carling Cup tie against Northampton last August.
“We’ll try and get him some game time,” said Jewell. “He’s been off school for the last two weeks (Easter holidays) and he’s been training with us.”
– See today’s EADT for full match preview.
More Ipswich Town news
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- Bobby Ferguson recalls the challenges he faced when replacing an Ipswich Town legend
- Marcus Evans will once again sponsor Ipswich Town’s kits
- Still in love with Ipswich Town at the age of 96
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- Alan Judge set to sign for Blackburn
- Ipswich Town chief scout Dave Bowman talks budgets and blueprints ahead of what could be a busy transfer window
- Marcus Evans’ salary cap plans scuppered as the Premier League once again flexes its muscles
- Ipswich Town’s pursuit of Jay Tabb hits snag as Skuse signs
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8 comments
Dave JS.....a very astute observation
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Kevin Bailey
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Spot on Brian and Old Timer. The only reason I can think of why he still plays his dad's army is because he persuaded ME to part with lots of cash for them. He has to play them or his judgement will look even worse than it already does.
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DaveJS
Sunday, April 15, 2012
By this he presumably means that the players currently in situ HAVE earned that right , which clearly indicates your shortcomings mr jewel.
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KEVIN FRANCIS
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Jewell really talks a load of rubbish, if the kids who saved his job haven't earned their places then they never will. Does our manager ever stop to think(if that's possible) what damage he does to a youngster's confidence by continually ignoring them. Does he even realize that by this arrogant attitude he is alienating even more supporters and if and when next season he requests support, then it will fall on the same deaf ears that he is ignoring now.
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Brian Betts
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Jewell should be careful talking about 'earning the right' to do anything - with ME making a fleeting appearance back here to do Cleggs job he might like the idea & think maybe it should even apply to the manager. Also how do players earn the right if they are not given a chance - I know when they're having a kick about with their mates in training - regardless of how well they have done in the real intensity of competative matches. As regards 'throwing them in' - no that would be silly - a bit like throwing them out after one below par performance - or not being tall enough. By that token Guardiola should jetison half of his team - but somehow they seem to struggle on - bet he wishes his team could reach the dizzy heights of 15th in the second division.??
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Old Timer
Saturday, April 14, 2012
They will not set the world alight until they get a chance. If this isn't the right time when will it be. They could play now with no pressure. Does Jewell think that Ingarmarsson, Bullard, Ellington, Wright, Bowyer have set anything alight this season ??
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graham garrod
Saturday, April 14, 2012
So how does Bowyer get selected? Why was Leadbitter immediately selected following a petulant sending off? Double standards...inconsistent thinking...poor judgement.....and frankly a degree of stupidity. No wonder Callum Bennet is thinking od turning down the contract offer. To those that defend Jewell, I say, defend this. Please tell me how, in any way, this is the correct way to act?
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Kevin Bailey
Saturday, April 14, 2012
The man has lost it big time. Do's it matter so much if we play 2 or 3 youngsters and maybe lose a the odd game at this part of the season..... He say's we haven't got 10 youngsters to put in the team and they must earn the right..How the hell are they going to earn the right if he dont give hardley anyone a chance....... Jewell spoke many times in the season about playing 16 yr olds and allso with other promiseing youngsters but zero. He talk but dont deliever the goods. Been a waste of time him being at Ipswich as has Clegg. SINFULL.
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david bradley
Saturday, April 14, 2012