Transfer deals fall through – but Jewell’s spirits remain high following five-star win over West Ham
By Stuart Watson
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
11:02 PM
IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell’s decision not to push the boat out before the transfer window closed was fully justified tonight as his side thrashed league-leaders West Ham 5-1 at Portman Road.
The Blues boss ended up with no new signings on deadline day after some frantic late negotiating proved all for nothing.
A fee was agreed for a duo of Portsmouth players – believed to be Stephen Henderson and Joel Ward – but the deal fell through in the early evening.
Meanwhile, teenage defender Murray Wallace ended up signing for League One side Huddersfield, while Stoke’s Danny Higginbotham turned down a loan move.
All that was overshadowed by a scintillating display from Town though as Michael Chopra, Daryl Murphy, Lee Martin and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (2) goals put the league-leaders to the sword.
“It’s a great tonic for everybody; players, owner, staff, supporters, even the guys here who ask the questions every week,” said Jewell.
“Credit to the players – they’ve taken a bit of stick and rightly so. You can see in the last few games though that we’ve had spells of playing well and tonight it’s all come together.
“The atmosphere was terrific and these are the sort of night we want to bring back to Portman Road. There’s a bit of magic about this place when it’s like that.”
Speaking of his transfer failing, he added: “It’s been a bit of a nightmare really – I thought we had at least two deals done when I arrived at the stadium around 5.30pm, but they’ve fallen through. It’s not happened because of personal terms.
“We told Falkirk we wanted to give less money up front (for Wallace) and more on appearances but they didn’t want to do that.
“Throwing money after things you aren’t sure of can be dangerous. You might have to take a bit of flack with it, but I think the club has paid over the odds for too many players in the past.”
More Ipswich Town news
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- Grant Leadbitter ‘relaxed’ about finding a new club
- POLL: Would re-signing David Norris be a backwards step for Ipswich Town?
- George Burley looking forward to Cypriot challenge
- The myths surrounding Ipswich Town’s season
- Tommy Smith signs new deal at Ipswich but admits: I almost quit
- POLL: Is West Ham’s Sam Baldock the right man to boost Ipswich Town’s attacking options?
- Ryan Stevenson’s praise for midfield rivals Byron Lawrence and Jimmy Bullard
- Grant Leadbitter close to securing move to Middlesbrough
- SIMON CLEGG INTERVIEW: Ipswich Town won’t employ a high-risk strategy
10 comments
"Jewell's decision not to push the boat out before transfer window closes was fully justified" ?? On the basis of one game? Incredible statement.
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Ted Maul
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Eddie Kerridge: Ryan Bennett was released in 2006. Hardly fair to criticise the current regime for that
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chevblue
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I might even give Cleggie a hug after this performance!! Now let's hear what the 3 Naarwich lovers have to say, they're bound to find something wrong, I expect the words fluke, lucky, one off will appear but no-one has ever cared what they say so perhaps they will slink away and find a new target. What a pity it wasn't on the box for all to see.
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JOHN BURLS
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Stuart Watson reports "Jewell's decision not to push the boat out before transfer window closes was fully justified as his side thrashed" etc. This is a little rich coming from an EADT reporter who has said on several occasions what most supporters have said, the team still needs GK cover, BR, 2 CB and cover for Cresswell. This win was the tonic both the team and supporters needed but it also gives ME, SC and PJ the opportunity to say "we know best" So nothing will change !!!
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Brian Betts
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Well done Town not just for the win but also for effort. What the team needs now is consistency but let's not carried away I saw one Swallow last year.
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Brian Betts
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Is this the way to do it? Other clubs came in but none backed their manager like Norwich did, their chief executive didn’t mess around when Paul Lambert made Ryan his number one target.”
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Eddie Kerridge
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
What does this mean when the team (just off the relegation places) is able to beat the top team by 5-1? It means that there are excellent players already in the squad, but many who are not performing consistently and the squad where most are underperforming. JET is a good example of this. While there is certainly a need to shore up the team at centre back, there is not on the face of it too many holes that have to be filled in the team. It is more about ensuring that the manager gets the best out of the team and that they perform consistently well.
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Warren van Wyk
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I see Norwich have signed an England under 21 international that town released as not good enough
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Eddie Kerridge
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I have been a critic recently.... But fair play, the first game that I have thoroughly enjoyed at Portman Road for many many months. Thank you team and well done!
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Blue and true since 1962
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
So regardless of the fantastic win tonight, we will all wake up tomorrow feeling more disappointment? A poor showing yet again in a transfer window - I agree with previous critics of Clegg; if Jewel was concentrating on the game, Clegg must have been handling the deals. Very poor. Nonetheless, well done the boys tonight - superb 40th birthday present - THANKYOU
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Blue Jerboa
Tuesday, January 31, 2012