CARLOS Edwards has questioned whether some of his Town team-mates are privately hoping Paul Jewell’s days at Ipswich are numbered.

And the Blues skipper has admitted the dressing room doubters might get their wish, believing that the growing pressure on the manager’s head is reminiscent of the final days of predecessor Roy Keane.

Even a win tonight against Jewell’s old club Derby County might not be enough to save him after a whirlwind few days that saw the Blues boss express astonishing self-doubt – and get yet another vote of confidence from owner Marcus Evans.

Most damning of all could be the innermost feelings of some of Jewell’s own players.

While the manager admitted he is not going to be popular with everyone, Edwards revealed: “To say all the players are behind the manager, I would say yes. But deep down inside, there are players that hide their feelings.

“I am not going to come out and say that we want the manager sacked or we want the manager to stay, I am just one person who wants him to stay. That’s just me.

“Sometimes sacking managers doesn’t really help, sometimes it does. It all depends on how the players react.

“I always say to players that some might not want him (Jewell here), but that doesn’t mean things will change under a new manager.”

Edwards admitted he arrived at the training ground on Sunday morning not knowing whether Jewell was going to remain as Town manager – something he yesterday confirmed he would be for the visit of the Rams.

But Edwards warned: “In a nutshell, it is the same situation (as when Keane left). The owner is probably one of the most patient owners in English football!

“Time will tell. It could be possible (that we win tonight and Jewell leaves) but who is to know?

“Everyone can see that if we don’t get good results in the next few games, they could be his last.”