SUPPORT: Ipswich Town striker Michael Chopra will be given extra support by the club in pre-season
Michael Chopra to be given special pre-season programme by Ipswich Town
By Dave Gooderham
Saturday, May 5, 2012
7:00 AM
MICHAEL Chopra will be offered round-the-clock support this summer in a bid to stave off his inner demons.
The striker has had a difficult first season at Ipswich Town, top scoring with 14 goals but being blighted by off-the-pitch problems including three court cases involving driving offences.
Topping them all, he gave a heartfelt admission in November over the extent of the gambling addiction which saw him checked into the Sporting Chance clinic.
But on the pitch, he has given a glimpse of his undoubted potency and, while manager Paul Jewell has identified a new forward among his summer transfer targets, Chopra will remain Town’s top goal threat.
Jewell revealed that he would be sending Chopra – and others – away during this summer’s extended break in a bid to make him razor-sharp for the start of next season.
Fully aware of how important the striker is to Town’s chances of success, Jewell said: “We have to get him in pristine condition. Michael has had his problems this year, which have been well-documented.
“The club is doing all we can. There are certain players that have certain programmes and we will be sending him away to a retreat to get him in better shape.
“He is not the only one – we have a couple of players who we have ideas for over the summer, in terms of fitness levels.”
Chopra’s 14 goals made him the league’s seventh top scorer but he actually failed to hit the net in 35 games – ending the season with just one goal in the last 13 matches.
And the manager warned: “I have told him it is a huge close season for him. We can send him places and do all we can and we will always have someone helping him 24 hours a day.
“But he has to want to do it.”
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5 comments
My view on Copra comes in three parts. 1) As a person he is fighting demons every day, and will fight them for every day for the rest of his life. As such, he needs access to 24 hour support, and it is welcome that the club are providing it. 2) By lending him the £250,000 to pay off gambling debts, and then using lack of funds for the manner of dealing with the M'boro game, and also the lack of academy one status, it was always going to make the loan decision, and conduct of Chopra in his car more contentious. I would not make the same link that John Burls has, although I can completely understand why he has, and many more have. Also, bonus points for John (Scotland's biggest fan?) for getting a big-up to him in as well! 3) Overall, without talking to Chopra directly, I will be honest and say that I am completely undecided on whether he should be backed, or sacked (sold). In the meantime, I completely support the 24 hour access to support, as this is vital. Chopra is 28, and should be in his prime as a striker, and if he is mentally 'fit' he should be capable of performing at the right level to warrant being at worst a decent squad option, at best a 20 goal striker.
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Kevin Bailey
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Chopra with his gambling problem could not have been helped more by ITFC. How does he repay them? Three driving offences. Sorry but I would concentrate on getting Jason even fitter and sharper and bring in a somewhat more impeccable striker to play along side him.
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JOHN BURLS
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Are these Town players all going to Marcus Evans off shore retreat for their summer holidays? I would suggest a few weeks at Camp Bastian in Afghanistan & they will all realise how privileged they are to wear a Town Shirt.
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Neil Gedny
Saturday, May 5, 2012
We can't be messing about with all this, its a great life to be a professional footballer, got to be committed to the game, its a great buzz to go out and perform in front of thousands. its understandable for ex-players to hit problems but this, no, and others to have special measures- we are not part of social services, local education authority or NHS. ITFC Community Trust does enough work in these areas. ITFC is a professional football club with one year left to reach Premier or face wilderness. Thats the priority and only priority this close season.
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Brian Wren
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Chopra's many and varied off-field problems were well documented BEFORE Town elected to sign a man proven to waste his talents rather than go looking for someone lower profile, cheaper and more effective. The fact that Town and Cardiff finished at polar opposite ends of the table despite needing new teams before season's start perhaps speaks volumes.
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Rob Steroo
Saturday, May 5, 2012