REALISTICALLY Ipswich Town are rank outsiders for relegation to League being 12 points ahead of third from bottom Scunthorpe with just nine games remaining.

But there would be a warning sign if they were to lose to the Iron at Portman Road today (kick-off 3pm).

Paul Jewell’s side has lost its previous three matches on Suffolk soil, and they last time they lost four on the trot they were relegated!

This was in 2001/02 when George Burley was manager and he could not stop a drop out of the Premiership having finished fifth the previous campaign.

Amazingly UEFA Cup games at home and away to Italian giants Inter Milan were played in the middle of a run that saw Ipswich lose 3-2 at home to West Ham on October 28 2001 followed by Bolton Wanderers (2-1 November 18), Arsenal (2-0 December 1) and Newcastle United (1-0 December 9).

Having won their opening two Championship games after Jewell replaced Roy Keane as Town boss, Ipswich have followed that with a 1-1 draw with Hull City and defeats by Portsmouth (2-0), Reading (3-1) and Watford (3-0).

Traditionally 50 points should be enough to keep a team in the Championship, and this season it might be lower because of the poor recent runs experienced by Preston, Sheffield United and Scunthorpe.

So a couple more wins would be enough to satisfy the requirement placed upon Jewell when he arrived by club owner Marcus Evans.

That was to stay in the Championship with the hope that a strong end to the season could be achieved to set things up nicely for a much more successful 2011/12 and to help realise a significant rise in season ticket sales above this year’s meagre 14,000 level.

This wish could still be achieved, but it needs to start today and with a flourish against – with respect – one of the poor relations of the Championship.

Before Tuesday’s defeat by Watford, Jewell said: “There are 10 games to go and we’re aiming to end the season on a high and take momentum into next season.

“And without making empty promises I’m looking ahead to what we can achieve next season.”

Jewell led Bradford City and Wigan Athletic to the Premier League, but did not enjoy success with Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County.

“Cardiff City manager Dave Jones was criticised the other day by his own fans,” added Jewell.

“His team could have gone second in the table. What chance have the rest of us got?”

WHAT are your memories when Town lost four straight home games in 2011? Let us know – e-mail starsport@eveningstar.co.uk.