Blues boss Paul Jewell says his Norwich counterpart Paul Lambert has instilled the type of belief in his squad that he’s aiming to replicate in his side. Jewell and Lambert face one another for the first time as managers at Portman Road this evening.

Jewell said: “Certainly when I when I went to watch them play Bristol City, you got the feeling that he’s got something going, that he’s got them on a roll.

“There’s a great atmosphere around the club, they’re confident and looking forward to every match. Winning football matches breeds confidence.”

Jewell has sought to instil similar belief in his players since taking over at Portman Road in January: “I think you need that resilience over a season. I’ve spoken quite a lot about mental strength and trying to toughen them up.

“That doesn’t come overnight, that comes with belief. I think Norwich are one of the examples of that. I think they’ve scored 10 goals in injury time.

“They have that belief that they are never beaten, that they will keep going and they are going to score a goal. We want to get that into our squad. But that doesn’t happen overnight, that happens over a period of time.

“Our remit when we got here was to make sure we are in this league next season and I think the players have done magnificently well to be where we are - safe from relegation quite a while ago and comfortably mid-table.”

The Town manager is playing down the Blues’ chances of making the play-offs: “It’s mathematically possible but I think we’re all realistic and know that whatever we achieve this season is probably better than we thought we could when we came in.

“We never give up because we’ve got 12 points to play for, but it’s really got to be a Devon Loch type situation that’s going to get us in there. The most important thing for me now is the Norwich game.”

Photo: Action Images

Suffolk_n_Good added 08:04 - Apr 21 I think you've done a great job so far PJ, keep it going!!
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Back_The_Boss added 08:15 - Apr 21 C'mon PJ, the fans will be even more behind you with a win today. This game means everything for them. COYB!!!
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suffolkpoker added 08:36 - Apr 21 PJ has been like a breath of fresh air through our club, he has made in a intersting last few games. Also im looking forward to the close season as he can stamp his mark onto ITFC
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Rampers added 08:45 - Apr 21 Come on PJ, wickham, Carson and Co, time to destroy that belief. Lets make Naaarwichhhh look amatuer.
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WeWereZombies added 11:04 - Apr 21 Normally I hate those Google ads with the faux-phonetic spelling of look-up items but i do like the one on the big screen at Liverpool St. at the mo - about six tossy ways of saying Norwich (Noor-ij etc.), only defect is the omission of Nodge, Narch and Norridge.
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:25 - Apr 21 its something Keane never managed .As we near the end of the season it becomes even clearer that Keanes dismissal was too late, if only !
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TractorRoyNo1 added 13:30 - Apr 21 put your money on it he will be named manager of Villa on 1st June 2011
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GeorgiDoundarov added 14:21 - Apr 21 I say let us push for the 12 pts. Let us get as much as possible and we will see - It will never hurt if we finish as closer to the top as possible! And if we take all the 12 pts (not so easy though) I calculated we may just be getting this sixth spot! I agree that we are not ready for Premiership this year but nothing can make me stop dreaming...
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Ipswich24 added 16:32 - Apr 21 Come On You Blues!!!!
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