Jewell feared Ipswich sack

Under-fire Ipswich boss Paul Jewell has admitted he expected the sack after being 2-0 down at Barnsley last season.

The Tractor Boys had suffered seven straight defeats before Jewell eventually turned things around with a 5-3 win, yet now there are calls for his head once more on the eve of his return to Oakwell.

"When you're 2-0 down and facing eight defeats on the bounce then you do start to think it's going to be Christmas at home," he told the East Anglian Daily Times.

"We turned it around though and that's how fickle and crazy football is. Tiny margins can become huge chasms.

"Saturday is another game though and we've got to stand up and be counted - we can't be shrinking violets. We've just got to try and match them in all departments.

"We've got to try and believe in our team and our strengths. We need to take our chances when they come along because we haven't done that and that's put added pressure on our defence."