Paul Jewell’s vision of the future sold Ipswich Town to me – Elliott Hewitt

By Dave Gooderham Thursday, May 31, 2012
12:08 PM

PAUL Jewell’s desire to bring in “young, hungry players” helped persuade Elliott Hewitt to sign for Ipswich.

Elliott Hewitt factfile

– Elliott Hewitt moved to Macclesfield after being released by Stoke City’s academy – Having progressed through the youth and reserve ranks at Moss Rose, he became the youngest ever league debutant in the Silkmen’s history, making his first appearance aged 16 years and 342 days. – Last season, he made 22 appearances for the League Two side. – He can play in a number of positions including right-back and midfield – He has been capped five times by Wales at Under-21s level and also played for his country at Under-19s

The 18-year-old yesterday agreed a three-year contract after completing his move from Macclesfield Town.

And the teenage right-back revealed the part the Town boss played in convincing him his footballing education would be best served at Portman Road.

Hewitt said: “He (Jewell) told me that he’s looking to the future and looking to bring on young, hungry players so hopefully I can help that happen here and help bring some success to Ipswich.

“I know the club have a tradition of bringing through young players so that played a part in my decision, and I’m looking to continue my development at this club now.”

Hewitt was clearly impressed with both Jewell and the club as he looks to push skipper Carlos Edwards all the way for a right-back starting spot.

He added: “The club didn’t really need selling to me, just everything about the place is impressive. I’ve had a good look around the place and the training facilities are good, the ground is nice and it’s a big step up from Macclesfield.

“I spoke to the manager and he said all the right things to me and that persuaded me that this was the right place for me to come and play my football.

“Obviously I know the manager from his previous clubs and he’s a well recognisable name in the game. We had a good chat before I signed and he just seemed a nice guy too, so I’m looking forward to getting started here with him as my manager.”

12 comments

Jerry, you are welcome. Tom, thank you for your breathtaking analysis, look forward to seeing you on Sky as Gary Neville's replacement.

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Kevin Bailey

Sunday, June 3, 2012
The headline mentions Jewell's vision for the future-EADT get him interviewed and print it! With regard to the decline (not wanting to live in the past like many teams and fans) I think what you need is commitment, teamwork, imagination and some flare on the pitch, a will to win, and a team that keeps the ball moving and the players moving looking for space-in other words just watch what Barcelona do and learn from it. As for a Town team then average players playing as a team will always more successful than a team with one or two sulking superstars who don't give a monkeys. The championship is fairly average and if a team is determined it can rise like cream to the top. Ipswich is long overdue a decent run so come on!

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Rob Pryke

Friday, June 1, 2012
Kevin, that was an excessively rambling and long winded post, even by your standards. It is possible to be succinct and to the point. I think this signing looks promising. Well done PJ. We need young, hungry players.

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Tom

Friday, June 1, 2012
Kevin I thank you for your polite and honest reply, of course you are a supporter of Ipswich Town first and formost as we all are, I just find that some comments towards our manager seem to be repeated on a regular basis and cant find a reason why it seems nessasary when, for once we appear to have some good news and that in itself should be enough to ease off with the constant digs towards him. Like your good self I am a Town supporter first and formost but I consider our manager a major player in our team I, like you want to see a status quo return to I.T.F.C and see our team progress to where we all want it to be, I just don't believe that constant digging at the manager is very productive or nessasary. I for one hope you are wrong about the time scale you predict because as I have stated, I do back Paul Jewl as our manager and strongly believe that he is the man to do the best job for us at this time, I do agree that the man that needs looking at with respect of staff changes at this time is Mr Clegg, PJ has done things that have made even me state why, I just think there is a lot more to him and his tactics and that there is a long term plan that he is working on and it's that that's making his decisions at this time look poor, and that's why I'm still behind him 100% Like everyone though, I am entitled to change my mind and believe me I won't hesitate if my personal view of his handling of our team starts to concern me as it seems to concern several others. I wouldn't expect a blind following of him, more of a tolerant following giving him more time, time I think he deserves. In the end we all share one thing in common and thats the hope that the good times are not that far away. BLUE THROUGH AND THROUGH!

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Jerry1961

Friday, June 1, 2012
Jerry....I wanted to see Bullard signed, and said so on here. I also wanted to se him played in the same position as that which made him player of the year, AND made me say we should sign him. However, Jewell knew best, and signed Bowyer, and moved Bullard to the base of a diamond, then dropping Hyam. So, whilst I agree that Bullard had a poor start to last season, he was effectively ditched when Hyam was recalled, and whilst I supported the differential punishments given to Chopra and Bullard after the Newcastle fiasco, Bullard was never really given a chance to play again. I think those that write Bullard off completely are being a bit premature, and as for your underlying point that Jewell is our manager, and we should give him blind support, then I am afraid I cannot agree with you. Why sign a player on the basis of playing in one position, and alter that position for the start of the following season, and then not alter it back when it clearly wasn't working. It is precisely because he is our manager, and I know more about Ipswich and our heritage than he ever will, that I feel it essential to make my views known, and whilst I will always support ITFC 100%, this does not in any way oblige me to tow the 'party line' when I am sure that the 'party line' is wrong. That is not what it means to be a supporter in my book. Your friend is the one that tells you that you look ridiculous, not the one who says that you look great, and thus allows you to be ridiculed in public. Hyam and Smith were treated dreadfully, and Jewell clearly doesn't rate Luke, or else he would have been offered a longer deal. What more has he got to do? He was outstanding when recalled, and yes he was awful at Brighton, as were most of the team that day. He also spent most of last season saying one thing and doing another, which is just completely unnecessary, and shows a patronising attitude towards the supporters. Maybe he has learned his lesson, maybe he hasn't, although he has much to do to convince myself, and many others, who think he is very lucky to still have a job. My relationship is with ITFC, not the manager, he has to earn my respect, and so far he has taken us backwards in every conceivable way since being appointed. At this moment, I would sack him, so it would be hypocritical of me to then be inconsistent in that view. If we get Klug back, dispense with Clegg, and Jewell starts to treat both the supporters and younger players with respect, then maybe there is a way back for him. A big ask, though, and my bet would be that he will be gone by Christmas.

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Kevin Bailey

Friday, June 1, 2012
Rob, must commend you. We all appreciate that Col Utd have have another underwhelming season but your 100% negativity about ITFC is truly comic. We could win the Premier League and you would still find something to whine about.

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Richard Gardiner

Friday, June 1, 2012
Here we have the first summer signing and still we wont forget and look forward, every opitunity seems to be taken to slate our manager and I wonder why? It can't just be the last 18 months of up's and down's. I bet that if we were to sail up the table and maintain our place at it's peak some would still find an excuse to have a go at our manager, need you be reminded that when the majority of fans asked for Bullard to be signed that's exactly what happened, I have every faith in Paul Jewl I believe he has a long term plan for our club and he has very good reasons for not playing the likes of Hyam and Carson to frequently at this time, it just seems that there is no patients with some fans these day's. It's time to stop dwelling on the past because it gives you good reasons to have another dig, yes the blokes made mistakes, but then as he's Ipswich's manager he's not allowed to make any is he? Everybody makes mistakes and have to be honest enough to own up to them, which I might add Paul Jewl has done, he will learn from them and it's for that reason I feel he's being very cautious with playing what we consider our best young assets to soon, come on it would be nice to see honest opinions without the need to take cheap shot's at OUR manager, give him a chance and try getting behind him and see what happen's if however, you don't like our manager try keeping personal resentments out of your post's. A good atmosphere makes a lot of difference in football as we all know, and we can all do our little bit to make it that much better, starting right here right now. BLUE THROUGH AND THROUGH!

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Jerry1961

Thursday, May 31, 2012
I know nothing about this lad but welcome the fact that he is young, ambitious and apparently talented. Could be a very good signing. However I would urge him to be cautious about Jewells stating that "he’s looking to the future and looking to bring on young, hungry players". Firstly we all know that what Jewell says on Monday can easily change by Wednesday and his track record in the treatment of young players under his command leaves much to be desired. To be on the safe side I think we should still send Norwich an application for their managers job on behalf of Jewell. That would kill 2 birds with one stone i.e get rid of Jewell and scupper Norwich. Seems like a true win - win solution. In the meantime welcome and good luck to Elliott Hewitt - may we see much of him in the future.

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SussexTractorBoy

Thursday, May 31, 2012
It's encouraging that the lad obviously has a good sense of humour. Given Jewell's appalling record in youth development (until presumablyhis recent vision on the road to Damascus) he will certainly need it.

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Rob Steroo

Thursday, May 31, 2012
Ditto @ Old Timer. It is just a weak argument to call those that have had issues with decisions made 'moaners'- it is a typically poor argument technique that just tries to shut the other person-or- people up without ever offering a reasoned comment yourself. Jewell HAS wasted the last 18 months littering mistakes all over the shop (which is poor bearing in mind his being billed as experienced etc- hence why level of expectations were very high), but a few more of the young and hungries, allied with better tactical decisions, mixed with playing our own younger players and then I can see the dust settling a little. By the end of August we will all know whether this is likely, or whether the loanee brigade will be called on again... if its the latter Jewell will be gone by New Year.

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I am Spartacus

Thursday, May 31, 2012
Us critics of Jewell have lamented his Dads Army policy & the words us 'moaners' have used most often to describe the type of player Ipswich need instead is 'young & hungry'. Now it appears in a direct quote from Jewell to our latest recruit that he is indeed looking for 'young & hungry' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Took him 18 months to get to a position many of us arrived at last season - but hey it's a step in the right direction. If only he can now show similar faith in his own youngsters then just maybe we can have something to look forward to next season.

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Old Timer

Thursday, May 31, 2012
Obviously been well drilled at Macclesfield - he remembered to mention the training facilities.

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Stu

Thursday, May 31, 2012