SOCCER SHORTS:Paul Jewell has said he will remain as manager of Ipswich Town for tonight's Championship match at home to Derby County. Jewell revealed he was considering his future at the club after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Hull City left Ipswich winless in 10 games and still second-bottom in the table.
But the Liverpudlian has opted to stay after receiving the backing of both the owner, Marcus Evans, and his players when weighing up his decision. However, he has acknowledged results must improve.
“I had another restless night on Saturday and then spoke to Marcus Evans on Sunday afternoon about the situation,” Jewell told the club’s website. “We had a good chat and yet again he gave me his 100 per cent backing. I couldn’t really ask for more support from the owner.
“I’ve had text messages of support from the players as well, from other managers and from players who have played for this club – even some I have let go. That has meant a lot to me. I’ve spoken to the coaching staff and we’re now preparing for what is obviously a very important game on Tuesday.”
O'Shea confident of rediscovering form
John O’Shea is confident a consistent run of games will help Sunderland’s flair players rediscover their form and spark a push up the Premier League table.
Sunderland emerged from Sunday’s derby clash with 10-man Newcastle having rescued a point they did not look like claiming until Demba Ba’s 85th-minute own goal to spare them further punishment by their arch-rivals.
However, it extended their run to just one win in 15 league games dating back to March, and that will have to improve significantly if they are to fulfil their ambitions for the campaign.
The Republic of Ireland international said: “With most teams if they have signed new players, you want the new players getting a run of games to really be showing what they are capable of.
“Now over the next few weeks, fingers crossed, with a few bodies coming back as well, we will be able to go on a stronger run than we have been doing. We have not been losing games – obviously, we lost against City – but we should have more wins on the board than what we have.”
It's in everyone's best interest Trapattoni is kept on - Quinn
Former Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has said Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni deserves a “second chance”. The former international striker said he would like to see the national team reconnect with their fans and play like warriors.
“In some respects I think that it’s a little worrying when after a few years into a man’s contract the association are telling him to work harder. Naturally whatever business it is, whether it’s football, industry or whatever, that’s a little bit of a worry,” said Quinn.
“But okay I’m willing to say yes he’s done enough in the past to warrant a second chance almost, not that he was sacked or anything.”
Quinn said the Irish team out-performed their abilities in getting to the European Championships. “It’s the demise since then is the worrying part and is he the man to bring it forward?
"I said at the time after the Germany game I didn't think so but I am willing to accept that it might be in everyone's best interests that he's kept on." – MARY MINIHAN
Leeds say 16-week sentence for fan was too lenient
A 16-week jail term handed out to a Leeds United fan on Monday for attacking former England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland in a match against Sheffield Wednesday was too lenient, the Championship club said.
Aaron Cawley (21) from Cheltenham, pleaded guilty at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court to assault and invading the pitch during the game at Hillsborough on Friday.
Wednesday keeper Kirkland was pushed in the face by Cawley and shoved to the ground moments after conceding an equaliser in the 76th minute.
After treatment he was able to continue for the remainder of the game which ended in a 1-1 draw.
"While we are pleased to see justice brought so quickly, our one disappointment is that we feel the sentence could, and should, have been considerably longer," Leeds said in a statement on their website ( www.leedsunited.com).
Cawley was given a five-year football banning order by the court and Leeds said he would be banned for life from attending games at their Elland Road ground.
Tonight's Fixtures
(7.45pm unless stated)
Championship:Barnsley v Crystal Palace Blackpool v Nottm Forest (8.00) Bristol City v Burnley Cardiff v Watford Ipswich v Derby Leeds v Charlton Leicester v Brighton Middlesbrough v Hull Millwall v Birmingham Peterborough v Huddersfield Wolverhampton v Bolton.
League 1:Brentford v Coventry Bury v Hartlepool Carlisle v Oldham Crawley Town v Milton Keynes Dons Crewe v Swindon Leyton Orient v Colchester Notts County v Bournemouth Scunthorpe v Preston Sheff Utd v Walsall Shrewsbury v Yeovil Stevenage v Portsmouth Tranmere v Doncaster.
League 2:AFC Wimbledon v Bristol Rovers Accrington Stanley v York Burton Albion v Port Vale Cheltenham v Plymouth Chesterfield v Fleetwood Town Dag Red v Exeter Northampton v Bradford Rochdale v Oxford Utd Rotherham v Morecambe Southend v Aldershot Torquay v Gillingham Wycombe v Barnet.
FA Cup (Fourth Qualifying Round Replay):Harrogate Town v Hyde FC Halifax v Lincoln City Nuneaton v AFC Telford Dartford v Forest Green Newport County v Yate East Thurrock v Chelmsford Gosport Borough v Slough.
