IT’S do or die time for Paul Jewell and his rollercoaster reign at Portman Road.

Saturday’s FA Cup defeat, which saw Town dumped out of the famous old competition at the first hurdle by divisional rivals Hull City, made it just two wins from their last 13 games.

Something has to give and it could come in the next seven days as Blues fans today wonder where the next victory is coming from.

Birmingham away on Wednesday night and the visit of Blackpool to Suffolk on Saturday are difficult matches in any scenario.

But with Jewell fighting to save his job, the clock is once more ticking – just weeks after a remarkable victory over Barnsley and resolute performances against Derby and Leicester seemed to buy him some time.

Now that time is starting to run out after Ipswich limped out of the FA Cup with a 3-1 defeat at the KC Stadium.

Defensive mistakes were again costly but Jewell is running out of excuses for the squad that he built.

The fact that it was announced on Saturday night that Jewell’s first signing – Ivar Ingimarsson – had left the club after just six starts just added fuel to the theories that Town have the wrong man.

Jewell faces another massive week in his bid to convince fans he can move the Blues away from the relegation zone and start building a better future for the club.

Or could it end in the third managerial sacking under reclusive owner Marcus Evans?