Former Ipswich Town midfielder Kieron Dyer has called for Town supporters to back the Tractor Boys until they are mathematically safe.
The 38-year-old made 90 appearances between 1996 and 1999 – during which he scored nine times for the Tractor Boys. But the former Blue has said that the side need support from the Suffolk supporters more than ever before.
“I was driving home and I was listening to the Radio Suffolk phone-in and I didn’t realise it had got that bad,” he said. “Basically the majority of the callers were talking about boycotting games and protesting because they’re fed up, saying this is their club and the manager and owner are ruining their club.
“But I’ve just seen the run of games we’ve got in February and we have got the toughest run ever, and I would just say to the fans that the worst thing that can happen to our football club is us getting relegated.
“I look at our form and the lack of confidence from our players, because that’s what it is, the players have got absolutely no confidence, they all look shot.”
The Blues play Preston this Saturday before having an extremely difficult February, with games Derby County, Reading, Aston Villa, Brighton, Leeds United and Norwich City in quick succession. And Dyer feels that relegation could be a very real possibility if the supporters do not help Town.
“It’s just going to make it even more unbearable for the players, they won’t get any more confidence and we could end up getting relegated.
“All I would say to the fans is, you’re all Ipswich fans, you want the best for your club, if you’re not happy with the owner and manager, I understand that, but let’s support the team and get us mathematically safe.
“And once we’re mathematically safe, protest or whatever you feel has to be done to be heard, then I totally agree, but I don’t think it’s the time with the way the team’s playing, where we are in the league and with the run we have to abandon the club and the players because everyone needs to stick together. Otherwise it’s going to be a really dire situation.
“We need everyone to get together – even some sections of the local media that sometimes seem to antagonise the fans and want the doom and gloom – get us safe and then do what you want. Let’s just get us safe first. This club cannot be in League One.”
