IS Paul Jewell losing the dressing room?

That is the question on everyone’s lips after Ipswich Town’s shambolic showing in the 4-0 defeat at Burnley on Tuesday night.

The midweek embarrassment was merely the latest in a catalogue of calamities that have seen the woeful Blues lose six matches on the spin and concede a mind-boggling 18 goals in those half-dozen games.

But the manner of the performance at Turf Moor suggested even greater problems. The club’s experienced big names just failed to turn up, giving up meekly and making a mockery of earlier claims that they wanted to take the pressure of Jewell by doing the business on the pitch.

After yesterday receiving the backing of owner Marcus Evans – through the words of chief executive Simon Clegg – the under-fire manager does seem to have more time.

He must now hope he gets similar support from his players when they face bogey team Watford at what will be a nervous Portman Road on Saturday.

There is still almost two thirds of the season left and Jewell was right to preach patience when he took over from Roy Keane – however slow progress will be.

But the pressure is growing on the manager and results need to change quickly or the discontentment among the loyal Blue Army will grow.

Has Jewell lost the dressing room? Only the players can answer that – starting with taking the sting out of the Hornets at the weekend.

It’s time to stop the rot.