IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton today admitted that he doesn't know how secure his job is.And he talked about an overreaction to Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Cardiff City in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton today admitted that he doesn't know how secure his job is.

And he talked about an overreaction to Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Cardiff City in the Coca-Cola Championship.

“It is all rubbish,” he said.

“It's too much. People are losing their jobs because every game these days is put under the microscope.

“If a manager loses a football match he is put under scrutiny. It is a sign of the times.

“We have 19,000 managers at every game at Portman Road and they are entitled to their say.”

Magilton, whose side won eight, lost eight and drew seven of their 23 matches in the first half of the league season, is staying positive.

He needs a good Christmas to lift morale among supporters and to relieve the pressure that he is currently under to turn the Blues from mid-table mediocrity into a promotion force.

But Magilton is aware of the perils of his profession and the lack of patience in the modern game.

Marcus Evans, who is this week celebrating 12 months since taking over Ipswich Town, has publicly stood by his manager, and is set to do so until the end of the season.

But Magilton sounds a cautious note when he adds: “The owner has given me full support, but I don't know how secure Paul Ince and Danny Wilson felt this time last week.

“I don't know how secure I am. It is the nature of football management with so much emphasis put on immediate results.

“I can only keep doing what I am doing, and lifting my players to perform every game.

“Come what may, my time in charge of Ipswich will hold me in good stead.

“Along with the owner I am planning for the future at Portman Road, and there is an awful lot of work being done that is not seen.

“Yes, I have spent millions and brought in experienced players to support those who were already here.

“The squad is too big at the moment, and this is being attended to.

“I want players here who have the same desires and feelings for this great club as I have.

“I think my players are good enough and it was a big surprise to me that they were so flat in the second half against Cardiff having been so lively and buoyant in the final 45 minutes against Bristol City in the previous home game.”

And answering the boo-boys who reacted to the taking off of Jon Stead last Saturday, Magilton explained: “Ben Thatcher had been sent off and I wanted to stay positive by keeping two up front.

“I brought on Danny Haynes for his pace in attack and moved Jon Walters up as his heading ability is better than Jon (Stead) and Pablo (Counago).”

Town visit Coventry on Saturday with Thatcher, Alex Bruce and Owen Garvan suspended and seeking three points to give them a lift going into the Christmas period.