IPSWICH Town defender Damien Delaney today put his faith in manager Paul Jewell to make a big impression on the Championship next season.

Delaney, who signed a new contract last week, is expected to be a member of the Blues side that takes on promotion-chasing Swansea at the Liberty Stadium this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Having suffered the humiliation of being thrashed 5-1 at home by Norwich City on Thursday, Ipswich will be seeking an early route back to their best form.

Jewell has lifted the Blues from the brink of the relegation zone to the top half of the table in just over three months, although he has been unable to turn Portman Road into anything like a fortress with a succession of disappointing results.

Delaney is slap bang behind his manager having surprised one and all by admitting that his previous boss Roy Keane had hardly spoken a word to him in his first 18 months at Portman Road.

“I’m more than happy with the manager here,” insisted the Republic of Ireland defender.

“He’s proved himself to be honest and so straight forward.

“His cards were on the table from day one.

“His attitude is that he’s a man and you’re a man so let’s get on with it.

“This breeds respect and you know where you stand.

“There is no cloak and dagger stuff.

“I rate him.

“I have played under enough managers to judge a very good one and I know that our current gaffer is a very good one.

“He’s dealt with big situations in his life, and come through well.

“The boss deserves a pat on back for what he has done since he’s been at Portman Road.

“I’m sure he’ll bring in the couple of players that are required and then go on to really achieve something.”

Jewell may well have wished he was still in Australia when Norwich were knocking in their five goals on the eve of the Easter weekend.

When Town lost 4-1 at Carrow Road in this season’s corresponding fixture back in a snowy November, Jewell was a member of the Barmy Army supporting England in their Ashes cricket test at Brisbane.

“I watched the game in a bar in Australia,” said Jewell. “I never envisaged that a few months later I would be manager of Ipswich.

“While I was out there I played golf in a place called Ipswich, would you believe!

“Ipswich, Australia has a great course, but this town is livelier, just!”