PAUL Jewell, Simon Clegg and Marcus Evans have just one week to save Ipswich Town from relegation.

If they don’t sign at least two quality defenders before the January transfer window closes, the team will drop to the third tier for the first time in 55 years.

That is the inescapable reality of the situation after yet another appalling defensive collapse at Leeds saw Town crash to their latest disastrous defeat – conceding goals which Sunday morning park footballers would be ashamed of.

Town now sit just one place above the Championship relegation zone and, frankly, look incapable of beating anyone.

Under-fire manager Jewell must sign two, preferably three, defenders to steady the ship before the transfer window slams shut.

If that doesn’t happen, next season Town will be playing football in the third tier for the first time since 1957 – years before most fans were even born.

Jewell’s task is to identify our saviours, then persuade them to come to Portman Road – no easy task, given the current plight.

Clegg and Evans must then back him with money – knowing full well they will be held to ransom because other clubs will realise they’re desperate.

Dropping to the old Third Division would be humiliating for a club with such a rich history, but no-one is immune from relegation.

These are short-term, desperation measures. Longer term, whether Jewell and Clegg are the right men to run Ipswich Town is a matter for serious debate. There’s certainly no point in sacking Jewell now, thereby giving a new man no time to strengthen the squad.

The priority is clear: Two or three quality signings to transform the worst defence in English football. The alternative is unthinkable.