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Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 07:30
Commons scored for only the second time this season in the home victory over Sheffield Wednesday and the first time from open play.
The strike added to his excellent free kick in the defeat at Blackpool last month and Jewell feels the 25-year-old Scottish international has the ability to provide goals on a regular basis.
Commons reached double figures for Nottingham Forest in the past two seasons – 13 in 2006-7 and 10 last term.
He has scored 46 goals in 221 career appearances for Derby, Forest and Stoke City – roughly a goal every five games.
His two goals for Derby have come in 16 appearances.
Since signing in the summer, he has quickly become a favourite of the fans. His quality in the wide areas and his assists have provided a key contribution to the team's run of only two defeats in 15 matches.
He has had a hand in 10 of Derby's goals but has missed chances, notably in the Carling Cup win at Brighton and the league defeat at Reading.
Commons has said he would like to improve his scoring record in a Derby shirt and Jewell sees no reason why the player cannot deliver.
"We all know about Kris's ability but he should score more goals given his ability," said the Rams manager.
"If he can just add that finishing touch, he will be twice the player."
Jewell is pleased with how Commons has settled in following his short move down the A52 from Forest.
"Kris is probably working harder now than he ever has done to get in the shape of the team," Jewell explained.
"He is picking up a lot more balls because we ask him to play a little bit of a different role to what he has in the past. We've asked him to tuck in, to get narrow, and he is working back as well as having the quality to go forward.
"He has that maverick in him where he can win you a game on his own. We don't want to temper that because he has got great individual ability but we are trying to make him aware of the way we'd like to play.
"He has played on the left, on the right and sometimes off the striker. Without ever wanting to restrict his individual skill, we are just trying to marry that into the team ethic and I think he is grasping the nettle."
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