Town boss Paul Jewell says he appreciates the support he and his players have had even during the recent run of seven successive defeats. The Blues were applauded off after last Saturday’s 2-1 home reverse against Watford.

Jewell said: “We’ve had great support and I really appreciate it. I’m not one of those managers who goes around kissing the badge and waving to all four corners of the stadium, but I really, really do appreciate the support.

“There are people who didn’t want me here when I got here and you shouldn’t think that all the fans love you even when you’re winning games, they don’t.

“I’ve been very appreciative of their support and I know it’s not easy to be an Ipswich Town supporter at the moment, I realise that. It’s not easy being an Ipswich Town manager but we’re trying to get through the really tough period.”

He was pleased supporters got behind his players during the Watford game despite the recent run: "One of the things that heartened me on Saturday was that the result was terrible but the fans stayed with the team right to the end and even clapped them off.

“We’d lost the game 2-1, our seventh successive defeat. That wouldn’t have happened at too many clubs and that wouldn’t have happened if the players hadn’t given absolutely everything."

He reiterates that bringing success back to Portman Road isn’t an easy task, putting it into recent historical context: “It’s going to be a long-term job. I think over the last 25 years we’ve been in the top flight for five years, a fifth of the last 25 years that this great club has been in the top division.

“It’s a great club with great tradition but it’s not a team that has a divine right to win matches in this division. No one has that.”

Jewell says places in the Premier League are earned: “When we got to the Premier League with both Wigan and Bradford people said we didn’t belong there. That was the most disrespectful thing I’ve ever heard from so-called football people because we worked our absolute tails off to get there, on and off the pitch.

“Whatever you get in this game, you deserve. This club, in everyone’s eyes here, should be in the Premier League but there are about 12 or 14 clubs in the Championship or below that think they should be there as well.”

Photo: Action Images

Legend added 10:19 - Dec 10 Does jewell ever stop arse kissing? Getting it right on the pitch is a good way to win over the fans Jewell!
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Mark added 10:30 - Dec 10 Paul has a tough job on his hands without the money to spend like Magilton and Keane had, and with Carson being the only promising youngster coming through at the moment. He was left with a squad that, Wickham aside, was just about valueless on the transfer market. He had to make big changes on a limited budget and most people agreed with the signings at the time, even if some are not working out at the moment. Let's all get behind the manager and coaching staff, and together we can get out of this hole we're in.

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JimmyJazz added 10:35 - Dec 10 4/1 on a Barnsley win and PJ sacked double
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BlakeyBlue added 11:10 - Dec 10 Well said Mark. Its about time the true supporters of this club started doing exactly that "supporting" When we signed the likes of Bowyer, Bullard, Andrews, Collins they were all jumping for joy at the big names PJ had attracted and also when we was on a winning streak things were all rosie but its amazing to see how fast they turn when things get alittle sticky!!! The team played their hearts out against Watford and aslong as they do that again tonight im 100% sure things will start to turn around but for all those calling for his head after only one season in charge its absolutly ridiculous. Keane was the one that said "i will get this club up in 2 years" and he was way off the mark but from day 1 no such thing has been said with PJ! It has ALWAYS been LONG TERM BUILD so for all the haters bloody get behind your team and give the bloke the time he desrves to BUILD a team that will be strong for years to come. Too many inpatient fans at ITFC now unfortunatly. "Rome wasn't built in a day" Lots of "fans" need to remember that!!! I and the true fans still have faith in you PJ. You have managed to bring in the experience now time to get the young blood in January and we will be fine COOOMMEEE OONNN YOOOOUUUU BLLLUUUEEEESSSS!!!!!!!

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Daleyitfc added 11:41 - Dec 10 "Without the money to spend" ???? That cannot be a serious comment? He, like Keane before him, has spent ga-zillions on old, tired, rubbish players : and more ga-zillions on their ludicrous wages. You so-called 'true fans' need to get your heads out of your backsides or the rest of life will prove a big let-down.
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AJblue added 12:18 - Dec 10 I agree Jewell your are lucky to have the support of true Today is my daughters 5th birthday, and she is bouncing off of the walls with excitement. It is a joy to watch her. I refuse to be brought down by the inane ramblings of dreary, miserable drips like you Daleyitfc. My advice try getting a life, cheer up ffs, and support this fantastic team of ours whatever may come.

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AJblue added 12:20 - Dec 10 Whoops left out the word supporters after true!!!! Something to do with 5yr olds, fizzy drink, cake and barbie dolls flying around my head at the mo!
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ipswichtown28 added 12:23 - Dec 10 We are true fans that's why we still turn up at portman road every home game no matter what! We don't threaten to stay away!! Time to stop moaning and get behind the manager and the team. We are all dissapointed but we have to keep the faith. The moaning is getting boring so move on And be a true supporter or find another team!!!!!
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WeirdFishes added 12:24 - Dec 10 PAUL JEWELL'S BARMY ARMY
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ipswichtown28 added 12:28 - Dec 10 Blue army!!!!!!
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PJ_Needs_Duncan added 12:35 - Dec 10
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ipswichtown28 added 12:41 - Dec 10 P J needs duncun = mug!!!!
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WarkyWonderLand added 13:37 - Dec 10 He has had more money than most in this league and we still can't compete. We will see later how we compete against a manager who really has had no money. Get your head out of the sand. Coyb
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mugsykets added 14:27 - Dec 10 Well, me and my mates believe that we are now officially 'Long-suffering ' Town fans. It's been TEN YEARS since Milan and apart from the two play-off semis under Big Fat Joe, it's been a grim ten years. Once upon a time we had Fortress Portman Road but recent years (def the last three/four) our home record has been terrible. BUT...I'm ever the optimist (I think you have to be) the good times are just around the corner. As I always say "NEXT year will be our year!"

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PJ_Needs_Duncan added 14:50 - Dec 10 How am I a mug? Look at the form table if we keep playing like this there is only one place we are heading and it certainly isn't the Premier League.
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Mark added 16:10 - Dec 10 > He, like Keane before him, has spent ga-zillions on old, tired, rubbish players Jewell has bought four players for fees: Drury: 0.1M Chopra: 1.0M Emmanuel-Thomas: 1.5M Cresswell: 0.5M NONE of them are over 30! Yes, he has spent a lot on wages, I'll give you that. We did save on wages too though when Counago, Fulop, Lisbie, McAuley, Norris etc. left.
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h32 added 17:12 - Dec 10 Daleyitfc - agree with you.
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bohslegend added 20:02 - Dec 10 Ah my old pal h23. Did you enjoy the game? And JimmyJazz..... how's that pension plan of yours?? Working out okay?? :-D
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