Jewell hints at Scotland start
By Dave Gooderham (Green'Un24)PAUL Jewell has hinted he is ready to unleash Jason Scotland on Blackpool today – just 10 days after he gave the green light for the striker’s sale to today’s opponents.
The Ipswich Town frontman came within a whisker of joining Ian Holloway’s men after the two clubs agreed a fee and Jewell gave his backing to the move.
But after Blackpool and Scotland were unable to agree personal terms, the 32-year-old continues to be very much part of Ipswich Town’s plans.
So much so that Scotland could find himself lining up against the club he very nearly joined – capping a remarkable two weeks for the Trinidadian which started with his match-winning cameo over Leeds United.
Jewell said: “We did let him speak to Blackpool and it would have suited Jason if they could have given him a two-year contract on the money he wanted, but they couldn’t afford that.
“And I am quite happy that they have not been able to afford him. He came on against Leeds and changed the game, scoring a goal and making one, so he might well start today.”
While Scotland would have been sold by Town, to free up some of the club’s spiralling wage bill, Jewell insisted he was under no pressure to sell anyone before last week’s deadline day.
And he also gave his backing to the big striker while praising his attitude in what has been a stop-start season thus far.
He explained: “I like to be fair to people and I don’t believe in keeping anyone who is not happy. But Jason is happy to stay and we want to keep him.
“Not everyone is going to be able to play every week, but if you are not in the team you have to act in a positive manner and show the manager you should be in from the start.”
