Town manager Paul Jewell felt it was important not just to focus on hat-trick hero Connor Wickham after the 6-0 hammering of Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium. The Blues boss was keen to emphasise that it was a victory for the squad as a whole, not just one player or the XI which started.

Jewell said: “He’s 17 and he’s got a lot of people talking about him. I think that’s five goals since we’ve been here and it’s a great learning curve for him playing out there [wide in midfield] because he’s putting a lot of yards in, he’s learning the game and a different position. As I’ve said before, it will add another string to his bow.

“He’s got huge potential, everyone knows that, but we have to be careful not to focus just on him because he’s part of the squad.

“He’s a very nice lad, very well spoken, very quiet. He gets on with his job and is playing with confidence at the moment.

“And when you’re playing with confidence and you’re 17 and you’re scoring goals, life’s good, isn’t it? If he was as good looking as me he’d have everything! He’s got a lot going for him.”

Despite a start to his time at Town in which the Blues have picked up 13 points and scored 16 goals in six league games, Jewell is keeping his and his squad’s feet on the ground: “We’re not getting too carried away, not getting too excited, it’s a tough league this and every game is a grind.

“Six-nil looks like it’s a hammering but it actually isn’t and we have to put this behind us now and move forward to Saturday.”

Photo: Action Images

dusseldorf_blue added 08:38 - Feb 16 "If he was as good looking as me he'd have everything!" Nice one Paul!!!
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ThatMuhrenCross added 08:41 - Feb 16 That's the impression I always seem to get off Connor. Even Keane and Magilton mentioned what a nice chap he is. I think you can add £3m to his price-tag just for what a player like him must add to dressing room morale. Doesn't seem to have let the fame and success get to his head.
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s6blue added 08:42 - Feb 16 brilliant -- well said PJ
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Keaneish added 08:45 - Feb 16 Lets make it 30 million which would cover our debts. If Carroll has a ludicrous price tag i'm sure we can slap one on Wickham.
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bedsitfc added 08:57 - Feb 16 Pj must make the changing room great fun, which in turn is making the team perform better on the pitch. I can't imagine any player not wanting to play under pj.
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ClactonBlue added 08:58 - Feb 16 Jewell is right, this was a great team performance. Just hope we dont get too over confident now. Playoffs are still in sight though ! COYB
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trueblues78 added 09:03 - Feb 16 Only if I had Paul jewells looks. Great line pj
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bedsitfc added 09:05 - Feb 16 I hope connor gets a pj mask and trains in it for the day
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thebeat added 09:33 - Feb 16 everything PJ says impresses me at the moment, really focusing on the squad as a whole, turnng them in to a team, under Keane they were very much individuals, great man management skills from PJ. Now lets really push on and give the play offs a fright!
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Smithy added 09:40 - Feb 16 Stop it Paul, stop being so defeatist and negative, bask in the glory. Thanks PJ you really have made this a happy club again I salute you!
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DiamondGezzer added 10:39 - Feb 16 Thebeat; Great man management skills, how long since this term has been used and truly mean't [ at PR ] well said. What a confidence booster. Another three points on Saturday ? 'cors !
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hogster1970 added 10:58 - Feb 16 yes big fat well done PJ , this guy just seem to lift everybody to do with ITFC and its just down to his man management and persona to bring the best out of everyone, a happy campus is a succesfull campus with the limited abilty whats on offer just look at holloway and blackpool. so come on , onwards and upwards lets finish the season on a high, its going to be tough not to bothered if we get in the playoffs but if we do we do.

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Garv added 11:03 - Feb 16 news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/9399056.stm
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devontractorboy added 11:04 - Feb 16 God what a difference to Keane....I LOVE PJ !!!!
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whoppit added 12:21 - Feb 16 Keane's comedy club seems like a long distant nightmare now !!! Well done lads and particularly fat Paul who proves that having a manager in charge instead of a clueless ex-player can bring the best out of our players. Very pleased but not getting carried away as we have an interesting run of games coming up. But the dark clouds have definitely been lifted over Portman Road and well done lads, great result !!!!

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daniel2302 added 18:43 - Feb 16 Totally agree with this comment, well said Jewell.
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1980sboy added 21:27 - Feb 16 Mr Jewell . . . . You are a Star. What a breath of fresh air. Can you imagine the laughs they must all be having, especially if Jimmy B gets in on the act too. Superb effort by all. Keep it going : - )
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arc123 added 21:39 - Feb 16 Does anyone think we should or can sign Jimmy Bullard permanently? I know he would have to take a paycut, but i'm sure he would rather play each week for us for 15-20k rather than be on hull's bench on 45k. I think we need him beyond this season.
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bedsitfc added 22:14 - Feb 16 If he enjoys his stay here then i think we have a good chance of signing him, and us supporters can do our bit for the cause by showing our support.
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Back_The_Boss added 08:25 - Feb 21 Very true PJ, another player that deserves greater recognition is Mark Kennedy. Solid player that does his job well without being in the limelight, so to speak.
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