Ipswich Town

Paul Jewell explains Jimmy Bullard punishment

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 03 March 2012

Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell explains his reasons behind punishing Jimmy Bullard and Michael Chopra differently for the same offence.

Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell has explained his reasons behind Jimmy Bullard and Michael Chopra's different punishments after they went on an unsanctioned night out in Newcastle.

Jewell decided to treat the two players differently for the same offence, suspending Bullard for a fortnight and fining Chopra two weeks' wages.

However, the former Wigan manager believes he handled the situation in the best way possible.

"They were in places they shouldn't have been at times they shouldn't have been," Jewell said. "What I've got to try and do is the best thing for the team and the club. I had a decision to make and have dealt with it.

"They're both guilty of the same crime and people may question why they've been treated differently but, in my view, that's the best way to deal with it. One thing I've learnt about football management is that you can't treat everyone the same. It's all about getting the best out of people and the best out of the team.

"Jimmy loves playing football and training so I decided maybe the best way for him to learn, or to punish him, was to suspend him. He'll be devastated that we've taken that away from him for two weeks. Chops has well-documented problems and I thought a suspension might be counter-productive, both for the team and for Michael."

Chopra was included in the side for Ipswich's 3-0 win over Bristol City on Saturday, scoring the first goal for the Tractor Boys.