Boss Paul Jewell has revealed that plenty of other managers called him last week in the wake of the Blues’ 7-1 loss at Peterborough. Jewell says managers empathise with how other bosses feel after being on the end of such heavy defeats.

Jewell said: “I’ve had calls from a lot of managers this week because when you see a result like that come through, you feel that sickness in the stomach for the manager. You know that it’s a hopeless case when you’re 6-1 down with 50 minutes got with nine men against 11.

“You’re not going to be coming back from that, you’re just hoping that it doesn’t become double figures.

"Sunday and Monday were difficult days. But I wanted them to be difficult days. I would have been disappointed if the players came in doing cartwheels.

“The players are, I think, as embarrassed and as hurt as I am, I certainly hope so. But I think bringing in new players, and particularly Jimmy Bullard, that might give us a lift, the extra lift we need.”

The Blues’ boss says today’s match is ideal in the circumstances: “There’s no bigger lift than playing a home game against a team like Leeds United.

"That’s why we worked hard as kids to become footballers. All the kids in the street today want to become footballers and we’re in a privileged position that we are footballers.

“We’ve got to earn the right, not just the players, I have to take the responsibility because I’m the manager and we’re not doing it at the moment.

“We’re getting punished for basic, basic errors. I said that from day one, from before the Bristol City game, and it’s an area where we’ve got to be better - we’ve got to be more ruthless. When we come under pressure, we’ve got to be stronger people.”

Jewell is confident that he will get things right, although he hopes supporters will stay patient, and is at pains to point out that the season is still in its early stages: “We know we’ve got to earn the respect and the support of our fans and hopefully we can get that back. We’ve still got 126 points to play for. If we can get another 85 points out of that I think we might be promoted.

“When you look at our team on paper, it just needs time, it needs a couple of results to gel, to get some confidence and I’m sure we’ll be fine, I really am. But I’m not here thinking everything in the garden’s rosy.

“When you’re beaten by five and seven it takes some getting over but we’ve got to get over it quickly.”

Photo: Action Images

algarvefan added 10:36 - Aug 27 Just get us winning paul & you won't get any calls :-)
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beacon added 10:37 - Aug 27 just leaving gillingham for todays game PLEASE dont waste my time again.COYB
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clive_baker added 10:39 - Aug 27 On paper we look quality now with the additions of Murphy, Bullard and Sonko. All through the team we look dangerous. Lets hope JET can consistently show what he did in patches against Souhampton because i think he could be the real deal on the flank with Chopra central and Murphy the other side. COT!
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RegencyBlue added 10:53 - Aug 27 PJ is nearly there but another Centre Back and a Right Back are still a priority. Once we have those in I think we can move onwards and upwards. COYB!!
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Drew added 10:55 - Aug 27 I agree with RegencyBlue, we need another centre back and a right back, if we get those then we can seriously mount a promotion push.
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s6blue added 11:12 - Aug 27 with another solid CB to come , i think we ll do just fine and dandy
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KenDubZ added 11:37 - Aug 27 Paul I've got so much time for you ... Leeds are a brilliant team but nothing that we can't beat, this is the turning point come on town !!!!!!!
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johnhazlebum added 11:40 - Aug 27 What is this drivel from PJ. Get a bit of backbone and take some responsibilty. They were your team and they were a disgrace against Peterborough.. Get the team playing and winning, Who cares who called you up? Get on with your highly paid job. Anyone can talk. Let's see something on the pitch.
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Blue_75 added 11:45 - Aug 27 I've always had complete confidence that Jewell will bring success back to our club. We just need to start getting some points on the board and gather a bit of momentum! COYB!!
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bluelady added 12:17 - Aug 27 Remember when keane had a bad run him saying no managers had been on the phone?
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Bleedingblue added 12:27 - Aug 27 ^^^^^ Yep, why was that now????
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ipswich_is_the_best added 13:01 - Aug 27 John Hazel bum He's not as highly paid as some of those players on tht pitch For me its players like Delaney,smith, leadbitter and Martin tht should be taking responsibility
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bobble added 13:51 - Aug 27 leeds are only 1 [point above us we are not worried about them 20-0
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bobble added 13:53 - Aug 27 leeds are only 1 [point above us we are not worried about them 20-0
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fourth added 18:01 - Aug 27 Some great players on the pitch need management...this seems OK. Covered And fitness. These are very early days with almost NO fit players. We need to think about competing in the top half of the Premiership. We need to add 50% plus fitness. The position of Fitness coach is very important especially in January/February when mud kills legs.
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bluepeter added 07:30 - Aug 28 You would know when you hit rock bottom if Keano rang you up!!!
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Lovetown added 09:48 - Aug 28 Bloody disgrace! It's Peterborough! And we're 14th in the table, My faith is slipping even if we did win at leeds! Don't ever wanna see that result again!
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smart4 added 18:24 - Aug 28 Hmmmmm. Wonder if PJ will call Arsene tonight? :o
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