Jewell: Ipswich players need more belief to win

Ipswich manager Paul Jewell has declared his intention to succeed where Roy Keane failed as Arsenal visit Portman Road in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final.

Jewell arrived on Monday afternoon to replace out-going boss Keane, who was unable to lift the club out of the npower Championship after nearly two years of trying.

The former Derby boss arrives during a turbulent period for the Tractor Boys. The team were humbled with a 7-0 defeat to a rampant Chelsea in the FA Cup third round, and had managed just one win in their last nine league games, a 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest proving the final straw for owner Marcus Evans.

The team lie in 19th place, only three points above the relegation zone and 11 places from play-off contention.

And Jewell will need to oversee a swift return to form if the club’s dream of Premier League football is to bear fruit.

In his first press conference for the club, Jewell said: “We need to get the players playing with more belief, but that will come with winning football matches.

“It’s a fantastic football club and I’m looking forward to getting on with the challenge here. I might have been out of work for the last two years, but I’ve not been out of the game. I’ve been in Spain and Italy, watching other coaching techniques and working in the media.”

The last time that Arsenal visited Portman Road, in December 2001, the result was a 2-0 win for the Gunners. At the end of that season, Ipswich were relegated from the Premier League.

Keane, however, remains convinced that he was about to make a breakthrough. In a statement issued through the League Managers Association, he said: “Getting to the semi-final proves that I know what the team is capable of. The players have what it takes to turn this season around.”

That task is now Jewell’s, and with rumours of unrest and players uncertain of their future, he faces a baptism of fire.

Coach Ian McParland will supervise the Carling Cup clash before Jewell meets the players on Thursday morning.

Jason Scotland and Troy Brown have emerged as the latest injuries for Ipswich. Speaking ahead of the match, McParland said: “Jason has pulled up with a calf injury, Troy is a concern with a tight hamstring.”

Midfielder Grant Leadbitter serves the second of a three-match ban, but captain Gareth McAuley should continue in the side following his recovery from an Achilles injury.

Goalkeeper Brian Murphy will be out for at least three months with an ankle injury.

Rory Fallon and Jake Livermore are cup-tied and winger Shane O’Connor remains on the sidelines with a ruptured and dislocated shoulder joint.

Young midfielder Luke Hyam is out with hamstring trouble to complete a lengthy injury list.