IPSWICH Town boss Paul Jewell is looking to follow the lead of fellow managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger by rising above what he hopes will only be temporary criticism.

The Blues boss has come in for some flack this week following a 4-1 defeat at Millwall – the team’s second consecutive defeat and third poor performance in a row.

However, just last month his team were being hailed following an impressive five-game run which included points taken away at the likes of Middlesbrough, West Ham and Cardiff.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Championship visit of struggling Doncaster, Jewell said: “It’s a fast evolving game and moods change very quickly

“A few weeks ago everyone thought we were the best thing since sliced bread, that it was easy, that it was a coast, but you’ll never get that in this league. Football is fickle, life is fickle. A few weeks ago (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger didn’t know what he was doing – he’s doing alright now though isn’t he?

“A few weeks ago Manchester United were beating Arsenal 8-2, now you hear people coming on the radio criticising Sir Alex Ferguson because they’ve lost a game 6-1.

“I think Mick McCarthy (Wolves manager) called the supporters booing him ‘mindless idiots’, I’ll steer clear of saying that, the point is you’ve got to rise above some of the criticism.

“This is the only job where everyone thinks they could do it better than you.”

He continued: “I don’t read the reaction. I know you guys (the press) write things, stoke the fire up, e-mail in about the colour of someone’s boots or whatever. Some of the responses are pretty childish actually, but I’ve been in the game long enough not to worry.

“I don’t get too excited when we win and I try not to get too down when we lose.”

n Jewell meets the fans – see Page 47