IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell admits he was surprised to hear that former player Shane O’Connor had criticised him with a strong four-letter expletive on social networking website Twitter.
Having failed to make a single league appearance under Jewell in little over a year, O’Connor saw his contract terminated towards the end of last month – the player accepting a financial package to end his deal five months early.
Upon signing for Cork City in his native Ireland, the left-sided player – writing via a Twitter account understood to be his – said: “Can’t wait to get started now, hopefully be successful, get back to England and prove all them doubters wrong.”
He then ended that message with a hashtag (the site’s way of grouping subjects), a four letter expletive, followed by Jewell’s name.
When informed of the outburst, Jewell said: “If Shane wants to have a pop at me on Twitter that is the least of my worries.
“All I can say is the only reason he didn’t get picked was because of football. It was nothing personal, I thought he was a nice lad. “Port Vale, Yeovil, Southend – maybe he will have a pop at them too because he couldn’t get a game there either.”
When asked if he had any advise for his young players when it came to writing on the public website, Jewell – with a wry smile – added: “I would advise young players not to call their manager that particular swear word. I don’t think that’s a good move.”
Following his criticism of Jewell, O’Connor later became embroiled in an angry exchange of words with Ipswich supporters on Twitter before eventually calming the situation.
He wrote (sic): “Na in all seriousness like he not the most favourite person but have respect for him. I do hope ye do well and If ye can get behind the team like the manager they will turn it around!”
The former Liverpool trainee – signed on a free transfer by Roy Keane in July 2009 – made 15 starts and seven substitute appearances for the Blues.
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