Jason Pearce, left, has been linked with a move to Ipswich
UPDATED: Town bid for Pompey trio remains alive but will go down to the wire
By Stuart Watson and Dave Gooderham
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
2:53 PM
IPSWICH Town’s marathon pursuit of Portsmouth trio Jason Pearce, Joel Ward and Stephen Henderson could still be successful – but might not be decided until AFTER tonight’s match against West Ham.
The saga looked set for a disappointing conclusion this morning with the clubs locked in discussions but time running out.
But we understand that the deal is far from dead as Ipswich look to tie up one, two or all three of the players.
With the January transfer window closing at 11pm, the Blues are very much working against the clock, but have this afternoon refused to concede defeat.
Chief executive Simon Clegg worked through the night to try and seal the deal and has continued negotiations throughout today.
But it could go down to the death and not be decided until after tonight’s home match against the table-topping Hammers who themselves have been busy today after all but signing Ravel Morrison from Manchester United and Nicky Maynard from Bristol City.
The precarious financial situation at Portsmouth – a bank account frozen by HMRC yesterday due to an unpaid £1.6m tax bill – always left the door open for player exits before today’s 11pm transfer deadline though.
Keeper Henderson and the versatile Ward both trained with their current employers this morning though.
And while Pearce was not spotted, a spokesman for the club says he was simply receiving treatment following his appearance in Pompey’s 3-0 win at Peterborough at the weekend.
A source close to Pearce has told the EADT and Ipswich Star they would be ‘amazed’ if a deal happened. They insist the defender – who professed his love of Pompey over the weekend – has not been told he will be sold.
Fans have been left frustrated by the perceived lack of activity at Portman Road today and their hopes of snapping up the trio remain very much on a knife-edge.
Pompey’s much-publicised financial problems have actually worked against Ipswich with negotiations far from smooth between the two clubs and the administrators working at the South Coast club.
But we can reveal that it will be too late for Paul Jewell to work on a Plan B should he be unsuccessful in his raid on the divisional rivals.
Meanwhile, Town are set to be disappointed in their attempts to sign young Falkrik defender Murray Wallace.
The 19-year-old centre-back came to Suffolk on Monday for talks but League One Huddersfield are set to beat Ipswich and Brighton for his signature after offering an improved package.
Meanwhile, a source close to midfielder Keith Andrews has told the EADT and Star that he will not be signing for Ipswich today – despite reports elsewhere that a move to Wigan is looking unlikely.
Blues boss Paul Jewell hoped to sign the Republic of Ireland international following his impressive loan spell at the club from Blackburn in the first half of the season.
The 31-year-old – who still has 18 months left on his contract – has reportedly put in a transfer request at Ewood Park.
Ipswich host Championship table-toppers West Ham at Portman Road tonight (7.45pm).
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
28 comments
I dont see why jewell dont give jamie peters a run in the team his a right back and worth a shot, and just heard keith andrews could be on his way to wes brom, should of got in there earlier jewell.
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james
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Max Ward - I remember speaking to an ex-director of Huddersfield a few years ago and we spoke about the transfer of Marcus Stewart to ITFC. He told me that they didn't stand in his way because you couldn't expect a player to turn down a move to such a fantastic club as ITFC even though they were above Town in the league at the time. How times have changed eh ?? It seems the young prospect Wallace has decided his football education would be better served under Lee Clark at Huddersfield who may well be swapping divisions with us !!! This emphasises the point I have been making for some time i.e that town could do much worse than go all out to get Lee Clark in to replace Jewell. He is an up and coming manager who in my opinion is more likely to be managing a Premiership club in the next 5 years than our own Paul Jewell.....Sadly though for Mr Evans he isn't a big enough name for the Evans brand.....What we need more than players is a new manager, a new CEO and a new philosophy - sadly what we are likely to get is more of the same depressing stuff that's been going on for what seems like an eternity now.
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bluearmy78
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
bluearmy78, your last para, I think that both 'qualities' are in evidence in our three wise monkeys' But their one quality I dislike the most is that they know best and ITFC supporters are simple straw sucking peasants who know nothing about football but I object to this view as I have never lived in Norwich.
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Brian Betts
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Cyril Baker and Clegg has a boss who admits he makes the final decision. Yes, of course Evans makes mistakes, Clegg and Jewell are two of them
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Brian Betts
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Cyril, Jewell and Clegg and Evans all display classic symptoms of being in denial. It is truly remarkable that they are not able to see, or should I say admit the utter mess they have made of the club. If we do get relegated, then unless some big changes happen, I see us fighting relegation next season as well. Because if Evans sticks with Clegg and Jewell, as he insists he will, then how can anything change? If West ham get an early goal tonight, it could be a very painful evening for us.
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Kevin Bailey
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
All what is needed is the Big Top. We have the clowns in place.Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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floridaboy1
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Despite the reported pay issues, it would appear that the so-called "Portsmouth trio" are somewhat reluctant to commit. Maybe it has something to do with Town quickly beginning to resemble an old wreck akin to those laying at the bottom of Portsmouth harbour.
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Mellow_Yellow
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
I've decided not to sig as well . . . sorry lads!
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A12
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
It was clear in the Summer that players didn't want to sign for us and I am surprised that the powers that be didn't reflect on that and work out why. They seem to be surprised now although this is the same situation as throughout the summer !!! Clearly Paul Jewell isn't much of a draw !! For me I will be delighted if we don't make any permanent signings as this will make the job of the next Ipswich manager much easier. Hopefully no signings, a bit of a clear out at the end of the season of Paul Jewell's duds, a new manager with his own players in the summer and start afresh........Not confident that Clegg and co will do this though as they seem hell bent on ruining ITFC either through sheer pig headedness or gross incompetence.
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bluearmy78
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
How the hell can Huddersfield offer a better deal its unbelievable but there again they are an ambitious club which of coarse Town are NOT.
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max ward
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Complete moronic behaviour. Man it says it all doesn’t it - Shortbread boy picks Huddersfield over Ipswich. Clegg couldn’t pick a winner in a one horse race. Anybody seen that programme "Last comedian standing". Got four candidates for it. Anybody care to name them. Hope the Hammers really stuff us tonight, haaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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floridaboy1
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
I am not a sack the manager fan, but why oh why does Jewell keep going on about the varous problems. He has the same problems in the transfer market that any other manage has, but of course he also has Clegg who thinks he knows best.
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Cyril Baker
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Rather than posting comments here, I think it would be far more helpful if every Town fan said a silent prayer for tonights game. I fear a massacre is coming !!
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felixstoweblue
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Hey Frank! Ged's a pal of yours, is he? Tell him word is that Town are changing their strips every season from now on, so not only sky-high seat prices down there next year, but lots more wonga to look the part. Your managers know all about timing!
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Frank's contact at Crewe
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
ged scott...if relegation means the end to reading your posts, then it is a price worth paying.
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Kevin Bailey
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wallace picks Huddersfield. Says it all. At least he'll be joining a club with an up-and-coming manager and the country's leading goalscorer. Nice work, lads - on both scores!
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Mike Wyatt
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The biggest signing would be David McNally from Naaaaridge. Spend big bucks on him, get some deals done and stop the current management and board wallowing in self-pity. How on Earth do you think Naaaaridge got players in when they brought in Paul Lambchops? Through good negotiation and picking the right players! They were in a far worse position than we are now and had nowhere near as much money to offer as us. Yet McNally and Lambchops got it done. Sign up McNally!
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Mike Rotch
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Jewell should not be blamed for this situation.He identified his targets days ago and it is surely the responsibility of the CEO to negotiate the deals and give Jewell early notice of likely unavailability so that other options can be discussed and explored. Surely a Club the size Ipswich has the scouting capacity and rolling player "Wish List" in operation so that timely puchases are made. There seems to be a need for an overhaul of Club administration at Executive level. I would be surprised to see any significant inward player action by midnight, (Hope I'm wrong)
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Herbert Codling
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
There are all these other clubs out there signing players, defenders ,strikers and what are we doing ?? waiting on something that is most proberly not going to happen , then it all be too late again!! give andrews what he wants to help us out and get your fingers out and encourage these players to come to town and get us out the horriable situation we are in!!! coyb for tonite!!
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andrew bailey
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Hey Frank! Got some gold! Just seen Ravel Morrison in First Class. He's on his way to Ipswich. Word on the street.
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Frank's contact at Crewe
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Was PJ and ME really serious about signing these boys........I think not. League 1 here we come!!!!!!!!!
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bigfish
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Ooooh what a surprise! Town miss their targets.
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Liz Knott
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Its the same old story week in week out,just why is it we cannot sign quality players at this great club.? If other clubs in our league manage to get quality players then where are we going wrong.?we are one of the biggest in this league with a training ground the envy of most clubs in the country and and owner worth millions.we all appreciate getting past players agents is a problem,but other clubs seem to do it with ease so what is our problem.?Pj talks about a Plan B.loan players in mind.this is just not good enough.Come management sort this out sooner rather than later or there wont be a club left.
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brisie58
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Evans Jewell Clegg-less. Should have sorted this mess out but what do have to look forward to . The last few hours of maybe's or Bl--dy loan players. Joke Joke Joke Joke Joke Joke and then more Joke's..................................
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david bradley
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Having discharged his recruitment blunderbuss here there and everywhere Jewell is set to come up short with a short-term Scot in the only position the club don't need. Despite the clearly transparent hype this is somewhat underwhelming. Especially as mellow yellow points out... the loans are lurking out there like zombies in a bad horror movie. On a more positive note, it must surely mean the change of management is happening very soon.
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Rob Steroo
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
If I were Murray Wallace, I would pick Brighton
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Kevin Bailey
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
COMPLETE HOT AIR COMES TO MIND,IF THE PLAYERS ARE NOT THE MUGS AT THIS CLUB THEN WHO IS.?I REST MY CASE.!!
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brisie58
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Right, so pretty much what we have known since these fabled signings were announced.. unfortunately I doubt we have a Plan B for transfer targets, pretty much like Jewells football team hasnt a Plan B.. come on, seriously still no right back, how many years has it been now.. pathetic..
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Vanmunt
Tuesday, January 31, 2012