Thursday, 17 February 2011

Connor Wickham foresaw Ipswich Town hat-trick

Ipswich boss Paul Jewell has revealed young striker Connor Wickham predicted he would grab a hat-trick in Tuesday's 6-0 demolition of Doncaster. The 17-year-old, who had not scored this season until January, now has five goals in his last six games. "I said to him at half-time, 'don't be happy with just one goal, go out there and get another one'," Jewell told BBC Radio Suffolk. 'He said to me 'I'm going to get two more'. It was a great night for him." The England Under-21 international's hat-trick against Rovers was his first senior three-goal haul. "Hopefully there'll be many more hat-tricks and hopefully with Ipswich," Jewell added. "I've been saying from day one we've got to be careful not to overhype the lad.I was a bit angry at half-time really. We just got a little bit sloppy Ipswich boss Paul Jewell "He's a young player, he's got huge potential and wants to learn and get better, I enjoy working with him as I enjoy working with the rest of the team. "As always, I'm a miserable so and so, I want more and I want to do better." The result was Town's best since November 2007 when they beat Bristol City by the same scoreline. But despite taking a 3-0 advantage into the break at the Keepmoat Stadium, Jewell said he had demanded more of his side. "We just got a little bit sloppy. I said 'go out second half, like good teams do, and kill them off'. "The first 10, 15 minutes of the second half I wasn't best pleased but once we got the fourth the game was won."

Source: bbc.co.uk

Tuesday, 15 February 2011

Race heats up for teenage strike starlet

Accroding to The News of the World, Newcastle United are reportedly weighing up a bid for Ipswich Town’s 17-year-old striker Connor Wickham as they look to steal a march on a host of Premier League rivals including Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Having sold Andy Carroll to Liverpool for £35 million during the January transfer window, the Magpies are expected to reinvest a large chunk of the received fee on strengthening their options up front with the England under-21 international high on their priority.

A tall, physical presence with the capability of leading the front line on his own, Wickham has drawn comparisons with 22-year-old Carroll and could compete with the Geordie native in the future for a place in the England side.

Having seen the transfer window close without having the opportunitu to sign a replacement Alan Pardew was forced to offer a contract to another former Ipswich Town striker in Shefki Kuqi. The 34-year-old Finnish international moved to the North-East on a short term deal having been released by Swansea City.

Source: sport.co.uk