Town boss Paul Jewell says he and his squad need to stand up and be counted and face up to the challenge of turning their season around. The Blues manager, who celebrates his 48th birthday today, knows full well that fans are unhappy at the moment, not least because one supporter shouted at him in the street while he was out shopping.

Jewell said: “We can’t be frightened of the challenge, we need to stand up and be counted. When people’s backs are against the wall, whether that’s managers, players or whatever, you can’t hide away from the challenge.

“It’s not pleasant losing matches, it’s not pleasant people shouting after you down the street, it’s not pleasant people calling you names.

“But I haven’t done anything wrong other than lose football matches. I’ve just got to try and be strong and have belief in myself and what we’re doing.

“It’s tough, but I’ve had 600-odd games as a manager and some tough times, and also had some good times. Without the tough times the good times never come around. You’re just asking people to stand up and be brave. That’s what we’re doing.”

He dismisses the name-calling incident - “I was shopping and someone was shouting. It was a bit of banter really” — but is under no illusions regarding his standing amongst supporters at present: “I don’t read the papers but I’m not daft, I know that I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, I understand that. But that I’ve been trying my best to try and turn things around.

“That’s all I can do. The only way I can change people’s opinions of me is by us winning matches. I’m not stupid.”

The Liverpudlian admits that he’s fed up of being quizzed about his future due to Town’s struggles: “I’m tired of all these questions, to be honest. You’re going to get them, that’s the nature of the game.

“One of these days, hopefully, we’ll do a press conference here where we all have a laugh and we can talk about the good run we’re on.

“We’ve missed chances and opportunities that we shouldn’t have and consequently we’ve been punished down the other end. That’s the simple fact.

“The two goals against Charlton, we’d got possession of the ball on both occasions, we lose it and within seconds it’s in our net and we’re chasing the game.”

He believes some of his side’s performances have deserved more: “We’ve had seven games and it’s so tight, but I can’t keep saying that.

“I didn’t think we deserved to beat Charlton. I thought we were unlucky against Wolves and I thought we were unlucky against Middlesbrough.

“We could easily be sat here with six more points than we’ve got now and we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

“But we haven’t, so I’m quite prepared to have the conversation. It’s not an issue that I can run away from.”

Last year Town ended a seven-match run of defeats by winning an extraordinary game 5-3 at Barnsley having been 2-0 down at half-time, however, the Blues manager doesn’t see any particular significance in that ahead of Saturday’s return to South Yorkshire: “It’s just the next game. The longer it goes without us winning, that elusive victory becomes harder and harder.

“We’ve got to try and believe in our team and our strengths and basically take our chances when they come along. Because we haven’t done that it’s put pressure on the defence and we’ve conceded goals and you can see the confidence ebbing away.

“We’ve got to be brave. It’s not easy. It’s easy to sit here and say it, but getting out there and being brave is another thing.”

Photo: Action Images

cookra added 06:14 - Sep 28 I'm sorry Paul but your time is up I feel. Saying that the only thing you've done is list games is a massive understatement. This football club is a lot of people's life! You need some more passion in that belly of yours. Also a few more signings could of helped you. Thanks for your efforts, and don't let the door hit you on the way out
0

lilcornishblue added 07:07 - Sep 28 Right okay for starters a lot people are saying get more signings well thats close to impossible right now to get decent signings when there is no transfer window yes there is the emergency loan window but no one is likely to get decent signings at this time but i will say that ricardo rocha could be a very good buy i have read him up a bit and he could be a good filler for our CB problem. But to saturday........ I know it has been hard and this week i have been exposed to ridicule due to the fact i had said Charlton would be a easy win..... How wrong was I!!!! But i think tmorro could be the turning point i really do i just had this good feeling about the game hopefully my friends prediction is right ( since we have had always a good start to the season and then done really bad but now we are starting bad hopefully we do a reading!!!! ;) ) wont see the game but lets hope we win COYB!!!!!!!

0

Bob7881 added 07:28 - Sep 28 My heart bleeds for you Mr Jewell, but face facts you havent moved the team forward, yes supprters can be fickle but i think Town fans have been patient considering the dross you serve up. I for one am not fickle i didnt want you at the club in the first place and even if you won the next 10 games on the trott i'd still feel the same. You seem to blame everything and everyone else look at your methods, coaching and scouting staff altogether its not working its a shame your not covered by the trade descriptions act.

0

oscarwhiting added 07:55 - Sep 28 Jewell shut up and leave already the best thing that could hapen to this club right now would be u leaving !! All the best to you though don't let the door hit on the way out
0

TimmyH added 08:01 - Sep 28 should of being saying this at the start of the season, at least he's pinpointing some players who need to improve!
0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:08 - Sep 28 Paul Jewell had the misfortune to arrive at Portman Road at the end of a long period of mediocrity, not by any means his own making. People were already well fed up when he arrived, so only a massive turnaround would have satisfied the fans. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to provide that, but no-one can accuse him of not trying. He also seems to have had his hands tied in a number of ways we are maybe not fully aware of. So in all seriousness, Paul, I'd like to wish you a "Happy Birthday" and a massive dose of good luck, starting tomorrow. Some of the players could help you out by taking a bit more responsibility out on the pitch! But it is up to you to get them fired up.

0

raycrawfordswig added 08:10 - Sep 28 18 months going backwards.
0

brittaniaman added 08:19 - Sep 28 Coming up to 21 months by the way
0

Pessimistic added 08:30 - Sep 28 Give the guy a break ...it's his birthday afterall! Anyway Paul I am still backing you to turn this around and I am quite sure I am not the only one! Prediction for tomorrow by the way: Barnsley 2 ipswich 3 !
0

nitroblue1970 added 08:33 - Sep 28 pessimistic....i like your optimism!!!
0

roytheboy added 08:45 - Sep 28 I wish you a very happy Birthday Paul, everyone deserves that, however I too have also been extremely disappointed by what you and your coaching staff have achieved especially this season, it is simply not good enough and I fear that relegation is on the cards if we don't get the problems rectified soon, none of us want that, we are passionate for our club and have little time for those players who show lack of effort on the pitch, that to me is an insult to both club and supporters, I truly wish you well tomorrow and hope that you can prove everyone wrong (including myself), however I regret that it is also my opinion that you should resign if you cannot achieve a significant turnaround very soon, as far as being insulted in the Street, that is totally disgusting and those who lower themselves to that should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves, if anyone feels otherwise then that is their privilege, but I am proud that I was brought up in a different way to that.

0

Kesgraveblue57 added 08:51 - Sep 28 Happy Birthday Paul
0

IvorFeeling added 09:03 - Sep 28 Whilst not what I want, I will standing up and counting my winnings as it's 7/5 Barnsley.
0

RaymondovicBlue added 09:12 - Sep 28 Happy birthday Paul Roy Keane was protected from taunts in the street by his dogs but unless you got one for your Bday I hope you will be protected by ALL fans showing common sense and decency. Pay money to shout what you like at PR BUT for goodness sake leave it there!
0

thechangingman added 09:19 - Sep 28 Jewell has always been great at making the right noises and it is no different on this occasion. To be fair, I suppose it's hard to be very concerned for a club that you have no affection or affinity for and no historical connection. On top of that you still get paid exactly the same bucket-loads of money win, lose or draw. For us poor fans it's rather different - we're 'stuck' with the same club through thick and thin and the thin has been going on for a long, long time now. I certainly think it's time to go now for Jewell and yet I am scared of what would come next. Very sad days for our club...

0

TenerifeKeith added 09:31 - Sep 28 Good luck Paul
0

CraigEdwards added 09:36 - Sep 28 Unless we get a win at Barnsley Paul i think you will be up for the CHOP ------- PARDON THE PUN.
0

WickedBlue added 09:48 - Sep 28 What moron yelled at him when he was out shopping? As time goes on I really think so called town fans are the the worst in the league.
0

Surco72 added 09:55 - Sep 28 Happy Birthday Paul , "18 months going backwards " ? We are in no different position or worse than when Keane was in charge ,but have spent considerably less money on transfers ,making more money due to sells .And lost a number of key players due to no fault of Jewell ,but the clubs financial position (Mac,Norris ,Leadbitter , Wickham )
0

bluey123 added 10:04 - Sep 28 You idiots who dont blame Jewell are unreal you will only be happy when we are in Div1 or worse
0

MattRichardsOfficial added 10:04 - Sep 28 Im not a big fan of Jewells and I think his time is up but I bet there are plenty of reasons behind the scenes that have hindered his progress and made it very difficult for him. If you look at the players he has brought to the club there were some real quality players that would have improved our team (not enought defenders mind). Whats the bet that we sack Jewell and he comes out publicly to say how hard things were made for him by ME and Clegg.

0

Legend added 10:13 - Sep 28 Ok so most people know that im not Jewells biggest fans at the moment, but im ashamed when some idiot has a pop at him in the street! That is out of order! If the want to boot off at someone do it to the players who keep missing the target, some from only 6 yards out! As much as i think his time is up at the current moment, the bloke is still a proud man and a human being and does not deserve all the nasty comments and abuse in the street!! There is a lot more to life..........Just imagine how Chris Kiwomya and his family are feeling right now! COYB!!!

0

NoelTheDub added 10:27 - Sep 28 Happy birthday paul hope you get a win tomorrow but........... As you said all Ive done is lose football matches well be prepared to take some flack as you are I think a football manager.
0

EatonBlue added 10:35 - Sep 28 Don't worry Paul. Waitrose will soon be opening and you get a better class of supporter in there and not the riff-raff that go to Tescos.
0

Urchin added 10:43 - Sep 28 I agee Noelthedub he has to take some stick and i think he expects it but no need for it in the street. There's got to be some decency shown
0

Blogs 296 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls