Town manager Paul Jewell says owner Marcus Evans is “ultra-positive and optimistic for the future” and has been very supportive of him, despite the recent run of seven games without a win.

Jewell says he and the Dublin-based owner talk regularly: “I speak to him all the time and he’s ultra-positive and optimistic for the future, not just this season but beyond that.

“I have to say, as I sit here today, I’ve had some very difficult phone calls [to make] — when you have to ring up the owner having lost 7-1 or have lost 4-0 at Burnley with a performance like that - but he’s been nothing but supportive and I hope I can repay the support he’s shown me.“

He says Evans has given him no set schedule for bringing success back to Portman Road: “When I first came here it was going to be a long and hopefully enjoyable job.

“There’s no time-frame, I’ve been in the game longer than most, since I left school, that’s 30-odd years, and I think I’ve seen most things and I know you can’t carry on losing matches.

“I’m not sure when, but somewhere along the line Martin O’Neill lost eight on the spin. Going back a bit, I was speaking to Charlie Woods and he tells stories of when Bobby Robson was here and times were tough.

“What I would say is that I’m doing my best and if my best isn’t good enough, then I know the consequences."

Despite the run of defeats and fractious fans, Jewell says the owner hasn’t ever suggested that his job is in jeopardy: “If you lose games, you’re going to be under pressure. I’ve lost seven games on the bounce so I’m under pressure, I understand that.

“The owner hasn’t intimated to me that I’m under pressure. He’s got a long-term view for the club, so hopefully have I.”

He says resignation hasn’t come into his thoughts: “You never say never but it’s not even in my mind at the moment.

“I said after the Burnley game that I only want what’s best for Ipswich and if I meet the owner and sit down and we’ve lost another few games and I think it’s best for a change, he wouldn’t have to wait to sack me, I’d just say it to him.

“But I really don’t want to get to that situation. I want to get to that situation where in three weeks’ time we’ve won three times and turned it around. That’s the way I’m looking at it.”

Jewell hopes that the Sky cameras will see a change of fortune, just as they did earlier in the campaign: “The last televised game was against Coventry and we were under a little bit of pressure then.

"We’d lost four on the spin then and we won 3-0 and played fantastic. Hopefully the cameras can inspire us again.”

Photo: Action Images

itfc1981 added 08:25 - Dec 9 Clegg's the one who should be shown the door.
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tractored added 08:26 - Dec 9 It would be nice if ME would tell us himself how positive he is.
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Pessimistic added 08:31 - Dec 9 I hope so too Paul. I really do. And you never know but running into a form side like Barnsley at this moment in time and at the Oakwell is a challenge in itself.
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pazelle added 08:36 - Dec 9 "...he's been nothing but supportive and I HOPE I can repay the support he's shown me.“ "He's got a long-term view for the club, so HOPEfully have I.” "HOPEfully the cameras can inspire us again.” Hope is for wimps.
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TJS added 08:43 - Dec 9 I wish everyone would STOP making this ridiculous comparison with the 'difficulties' Bobby Robson had at the start. We were struggling in the TOP DIVISION then !!! I don't think many people would have a problem if we were struggling to stay in the PREMIER league now would they ? It's losing SEVEN in a row in the division BELOW we have a problem with !!
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Bergholtblue added 08:52 - Dec 9 Tractored..... you have hit the nail on the head. When will ME tell us in person how supportive he is. Not of PJ but everyone at the club. Why won't he explain what his long term view for the club? All we hear is 'get into the 'Premiership'. The problems that the club are facing now are not down to PJ, or Clegg, or ME as individuals, but are due to the rotten infrastructure that runs throughout.

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TJS added 09:12 - Dec 9 Just looked at the thought of the day on my calendar at work. It says "Well done is better than well said". Pretty much says it all for me.
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IP3 added 09:15 - Dec 9 Why does everyone on here think we have a godforsaken right to be in the Premier League? We have been in the Premier League for five? seasons out of 20 and people think we belong there. WHAT is wrong with you guys? We have to EARN our right to be there & that takes hard work & time. Wake up please and step into reality.
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nitroblue1970 added 09:17 - Dec 9 sounds like ME has a replacement ready and waiting...why else would he be ultra positive?
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JimmyJazz added 09:37 - Dec 9 PJ won't walk away, much like RK this is last-chance saloon for him. Most people remember PJ for what happened at Derby, if he fails again no one is likely to hire him again. At a party last night and was talking about football. A guy asked who I supported, where we were in the league and then who our manager was now. When I said Paul Jewell his reply was 'well that's why you're near the bottom of the table and in relegation trouble'. What that said really was that's the current perception of PJ within football.

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newboy added 09:38 - Dec 9 The only thing any of us could be positive about is a replacement - lets hope it's coming soon. REALITY IS bad choice of manager bad tactics bad team selections and not enough knowledge to put it right
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jas0999 added 11:41 - Dec 9 Clearly the senior management at PR are deluded. You can't just allow these poor results to continue. Under PJ it has generally been poor for 11 MONTHS. It's certainly no better than under Roy and arguably much worse than Jim. At some stage the owner will need to wake up.
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SomershamBlue added 11:51 - Dec 9 You don't get to make as much money as ME has without a positive attitude. Negativity gets you nowhere. Agree with IP3 - good post.
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bluearmy4life added 12:37 - Dec 9 At this precise moment I can't find any postivity. Evans has been with us nearly 4 years and during that time we have gone backwards. Poor mangerial appointments which has led to poor results on the pitch. We are light years away from the premier league and It hurts to say that.
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Daleyitfc added 12:42 - Dec 9 Marcus Evans is every bit as real as The Banker on Deal or no Deal. Jewell clearly enjoys having conversations with himself.
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Tractastic added 12:50 - Dec 9 How can anyone be 'ultra positive' with 7 league losses in a row,a team that looks out of sorts,constant off the pitch issues and diminishing PR crowds? ME must be a secret Norwich fan? Respect to all the ITFC fans going to Barnsley.COYB.
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Legend added 12:51 - Dec 9 Played 7 lost 7 , what does that say about the team Jewell has put together? Dare i mention Norwich got relegated full of loan players like us and in back to back seasons are now in the premier league. Thats good management and bringing in the right players ,at least we all know who Delia Smith is, unlike our faceless chairman. Isnt it about time he came and made a statment to us fans instead of getting his puppets to do it. Yes i know he bailed us out and took on the club including the debt, but since he took us iver and installed the clown Clegg this club has been getting worse on and off the pitch! Would Chelsea be where there are now if Evans decided to buy them, never show his face and install Clegg as their CEO?? I very much doubt it!

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Martus added 12:51 - Dec 9 If your looking long term why do we have so many loans and over 30's. Chopra, JET and Cresswell are the only players you have brought in who look like they will last the two seasons your here.
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Sindre94 added 13:24 - Dec 9 Well said paul, COYB!!<3
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alfromcol added 13:31 - Dec 9 What a load of moaners again. Why don't you lot get on with your work. I bet most of you are using your employers time to post on here!!! Why not moan to your boss because he hasn't given you enough work to do?
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tractorboybig added 15:06 - Dec 9 I bet when he gets home at night poor marcus locks the bed room door and cries. " wher the f** has all my money gone" Probaly down the drain mate the way things are going.
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tractorboy1961 added 17:25 - Dec 9 Clegg out and PLEASE talk to the fans yourself Mr Evans and not through others. You will regret treating us with contempt
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Suffolk_n_Good added 19:01 - Dec 9 PJ's got 2 games to save his job......
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piersmorganisatool added 19:18 - Dec 9 course you are me old son.....................but beware sunshine, if we go down that season ticket is worth only what i decide to pay for it next year boyo, we are looking at 50% less than what you think it's worth!
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itfchorry added 20:48 - Dec 9 Itfc1981 - Going to dedicate my Clegg out banner at Barnsley for you tomorrow ! Keep up the great work and Clegg Out
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