Jewell responds to plea for signings

He also spoke about how he has found it frustrating to bring players into the club saying that he will only bring players who add something new to hihs team.

Jewell told the official site: "It's been a little frustrating but I'd like to ask the fans to be patient and judge me on the signings that I do eventually make. We have had two bids for players turned down - one of the bids we did improve upon but still without success - but I'm not willing to say who we went for, as I don't think that's fair to anyone involved. Those deals are dead for the moment but you never know what might happen in the future.

Paul Jewell

"Added to that is the fact that I did think we'd got the goalkeeper situation sorted but unfortunately that looks to have fallen through. It's proved a difficult position to fill as everyone knows, because we have such a good first choice in John Filan. We need someone in as cover and it's almost as much to give John someone to train with as it is to actually have some decent, more experienced cover on a match day.

"We've also made inquiries about several other players and I've been on the phone virtually everyday trying to get things moving. In an ideal world I'd like to have had my entire squad in place for the start of pre-season training but I don't think there's ever been a manager who's actually managed that.

"I'll say once again that I just won't bring anyone to the club - that can often cause you more problems than good - I have my ideas about who I want and I'd rather bide my time for them than rush into something else. I know we need to improve our squad and the players know it too, so we are trying to bring people in. The players we have now expect us to make additions and I think they'd also be a bit disappointed if we don't appear to be bringing in more quality for the season ahead.

Nathan Ellington

"I know it's frustrating for supporters as new signings only add to the excitement, but I want to make sure we get the right people in as I am judged on these signings. I don't think I've done too badly so far so hopefully people will show patience, just as we're having to."

This has got to be a good stance from the boss as many managers before PJ have shown. Paying out silly money for random players does not work. Signings must be needed and well thought through and judging by the players brought in previously by Jewell, he knows what he is doing in this area.

Meanwhile on the injury front only Nathan Ellington sat out the opening training session after his operations. Andy Liddell has recovered from his calf strain and captain Jason De Vos is away on international duty with Canada in the Gold Cup, so good luck to Canada and ason for that.