Blues boss Paul Jewell says Town need to find greater consistency in the second half of the season after a “proper rollercoaster” of a campaign up to now. The New Year’s Eve game at Reading marks the halfway point of 2011/12.

Looking back over the 22 fixtures so far, with his side in 19th place, six points from the relegation places and nine points off the play-offs, Jewell says it’s been very up and down: “I would say that at times it’s been really good and at times terrible. It’s been a proper rollercoaster.

“We started off the season with a win, then we lost a few, then we picked up and had a five or six-game spell where we were playing great football.

“Then we had seven games where we could win, we’ve conceded late goals and thrown games away. The season so far has had a bit of everything.

“We need to add consistency and we need to be better if we’re going to be in the top part of the table.”

The Town boss admits that he’s only once known a season where one of his teams has suffered so many heavy defeats: “I don’t think we’ve had more beatings, other than perhaps with Derby in the Premier League. After 20-odd games it feels as if we’ve had everything in it.

“We’ve had a last minute winner at West Ham. We’ve had two games where we’ve lost when we’ve been winning the game 2-1 and have lost both 3-2 with a goal in injury time.

“Then we were 2-0 down at half-time against Barnsley and won 5-3. We’ve had almost everything in the 22 games, some really good, some bad, some really bad."

He says that in some ways it seems as if Town have been through a full season: “It feels like we’ve had 46 games already, emotionally.

“I think any manager in any 90 minutes you go through the whole emotions of elation, disappointment, anger, everything. But that’s part of management.

“The seven-game run was tough and anyone who says it wasn’t tough is telling fibs. But that’s what we get paid for and if you can’t deal with it, then give someone else the job.”

Photo: Action Images

westleydan added 08:49 - Dec 29 Let's finish 2011 now with a decent win at Reading. COYB!!
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DOBR_ITFC added 08:50 - Dec 29 Seasons not over yet let's push on and at least flirt with the playoffs!
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HALLSJ added 08:52 - Dec 29 A draw a Reading would be very decent provided it is followed with 3pts against Forest. Those 4 points may place us mid table. Then we need to really push on with a couple of good quality signings. COYB
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walberswick added 09:18 - Dec 29 wind·bag/ˈwindˌbag/ Noun: A person who talks at length but says little of any value.
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s6blue added 09:23 - Dec 29 face it jewell, you can mask it however you like -- it s been rubbish
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piersmorganisatool added 09:24 - Dec 29 roller coaster? and not one you'd queue up to ride at times Paul Jewell.
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Keaneish added 09:27 - Dec 29 We know! Question is, why haven't we been consistent? With a lot of experience in the squad instead of youth we'd have thought consistency shouldn't have been the issue. Too many players with personal problems? Too many new signings and loanees? Lack of continuity between reserve games and step-up to the first team?Either way, here's hoping this 3 game run extends to 4 and the consistency can be found at home.

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RetroBlue added 09:32 - Dec 29 Well its interesting to note that since we have reverted to the more traditional 4-4-2 formation we haven't rolled over and conceded silly goals by the bucket load in a game! I would also add that Bowyer seems for effective in the 4-4-2 formation, whereas I cant help wonder if the diamond shape was used to suite the likes of Bullard's appearance in the side ?
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yorksblue added 09:36 - Dec 29 Roller coaster, with all the sickly stuff that goes on at fairground Portman Rd.
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Punchless added 09:43 - Dec 29 Mr Jewell, it's been a dreadful season so far so please start to earn your salary by giving the paying fans something to cheer about - i think we the fans thoroughly deserve it.
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muhrensleftfoot added 09:44 - Dec 29 Probably the worst 12 months in the history of ITFC. Well done PJ for the 7-1 thrashing at Peterborough, the 5-2 home defeat by Southampton, the 4-0 at Burnley, the 4-1 at Milwall, and the worst humiliation of all the 5-1 home defeat to Norwich. There are probably a few more that I've forgotten about. PJ is lucky to have the most tolerant boss in the league with ME. I hope he turns it around, but I have serious doubts that he's good enough.

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bluearmy4life added 09:56 - Dec 29 It's been poor. Had higher hopes before the season started. On paper we had a good side, and for once I thought we could ay least challenge for a play-off place. So far PJ Has been POOR AND SO HAS THE SQUAD. I'm expecting a much better second half to the season if not PJ can walk and so can some of the squad. ITS TIME THIS GROUP SHOWED SOME PASSION! Happy new year to fellow blues fans lets hope 2012 Can be a much successful year!

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Mark added 10:03 - Dec 29 It has been a rollercoaster and we're just coming out of the biggest dip in years, but before we are too hard on Paul Jewell we should remember that he comfortably saved us from relegation last season, and we are in a long-term project now so need to be patient. Realistically, how many managers could cope with taking on a poor side, losing three key players then having to turn us into a promotion team when only spending £3M on transfer fees? It wasn't as though he could sell players as there were hardly any saleable assets in Keane's shambles of a squad that he left. I also struggled to see where goals would come from a year ago, playing one-up-front and hoping Norris or Scotland would sneek a goal. Now we do score plenty and I enjoy going to the games a lot more, so thanks to Jewell for that. Give him time and get behind him I say.

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tractorboy2434 added 10:28 - Dec 29 Sorry, it has'nt been a roller coaster as they go upwards sometimes and the last 12 months has been poor, poor quality, poor entertainment and poor results, there needs to be a sharp upturn on all fronts otherwise I expect you will find yourself out of work at the end of the season and rightly so unless you can turn it around, I'm not holding my breath. Manager and players need to take a long hard look at themselves and produce a lot, lot more.

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blrmy added 10:30 - Dec 29 Thank you Mark!
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alfromcol added 10:40 - Dec 29 More posts that simply rant and ridicule PJ. Tiresome reading.
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DiamondGezzer added 10:42 - Dec 29 Mark :- You summed it up well.
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sereneblue added 10:54 - Dec 29 walberswick- your a prime example of a wind bag.Fact. This can be said about many so called supporters on this site.
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AYACCA added 10:56 - Dec 29 if at first you do not succeed.... skydiving isn't for you! At least its been more entertaining than the Keane era. As a once famous pop group once said 'things can only get better' another said 'the only way is up'
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Suffolkboy73 added 11:04 - Dec 29 ok lets put it all behind us now and get on with the job in hand. Come On You Blues! Goodbye dross of 2011 and welcome in the new year with a win!
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bobble added 11:12 - Dec 29 a bottle of cuban rum and a new Hawaiian shirt how groovy is that ?
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murhtuG added 11:20 - Dec 29 Probably not the worst 12 months in the history of ITFC. Well done PJ for the 6-0 thrashing of Doncaster, the 2-0 away win at high-flying Cardiff, the 3-0 at Bristol, the 3-1 against Brighton, and the best turnaround of all the 5-3 away win at Barnsley. There are probably a few more that I've forgotten about. PJ is lucky to have the most tolerant boss in the league with ME. I hope he turns it around, and there are some signs that he may be able to. ;)

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TimmyH added 11:26 - Dec 29 A rollercoaster with bigger dips than highs, so far Jewells first year hasn't been any better than Keanes. Improvements need to be made in the New year and hopefully one or two reasonable signings, particularly at RB and as mentioned consistency please for once!
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walberswick added 11:40 - Dec 29 When pigs fly. To indicate that something is highly unlikely ever to happen, or that it will never happen.
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stinkiusminkius added 11:49 - Dec 29 Well done Mark - your 2nd paragraph sums it up perfectly, although the moaners enjoy wallowing in misery and having a good excuse for a whinge. I'm not happy with how it's gone and disagree with some of PJs management but overall he knows better than me and needs more time. And jas0999 if you read this - could you clearly explain why you supported keane to the hilt throughout his 18 months but have been sniping for PJ from day one?? Give him the same time and support please.

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