Former Blues star Kieron Dyer has urged dissenting fans to forget their protests and get behind Town’s confidence-hit players as they go into “the toughest run ever” with relegation to the third tier of English football for the first time in 60 years, he believes, a very real possibility.

Ipswich-born Dyer, pictured above appearing on a recent Life's a Pitch, says he was listening to BBC Radio Suffolk on Saturday evening following the 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield - which saw the 14th-placed Blues drop to within nine points of the bottom three - and was concerned by some of the calls.

“I was driving home and I was listened to the Radio Suffolk phone-in and I didn’t realise it had got that bad,” he told TWTD.

“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.

“I’m an Ipswich fan and everyone’s entitled to their opinion and I don’t pay money to go to games, while they pay their hard-earned money, so if that’s how they feel, then that’s how they feel.

“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.

“And if there are going to start to be protests and people boycotting the games, then it’s just going to make it even worse because it’s a toxic atmosphere as it is.

“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.”

Dyer, 38, says he knows what it’s like to be booed by your own fans from his time at Newcastle United and says it can have a huge impact on a player.

“I’ve been booed by 50,000 people and I was a confident player on the pitch,” he added. “But when I was being booed it affected me so badly some games, it was like I’ve never kicked a ball before, it was like I couldn’t even lace my boots up.

“Why Bobby Robson was so good was because he made everyone play feel a million dollars and they went on the pitch and played to the best of their ability.

“Our players at the moment are just fragile. Terry Butcher came out after the game against Lincoln and said they were a disgrace. I think that’s a harsh word because I think the term disgrace should only be levelled at a player who doesn’t want to play for the club, someone who doesn’t try when they’re on the pitch.

“Our players are trying 100 per cent. I go up to the training ground and I look at the stats. The running stats are through the roof.

“Everyone’s trying to put his shift in, it’s just that they’re so fragile. They’re so lacking in confidence.

“The fans pay good money so when they go to a football match if they want to have a moan, I get that, but our club has never booed players really. I’ve never really come across that.

“I know Scowy had a little bit from the boo boys when I was here, but nothing too brutal.

“But, for example, Jonathan Douglas, he’s getting sarcastically cheered off when he comes off and booed. How is that going to help him? He tries his nuts off every time he’s on the pitch.

“I get that fans might not think he’s good enough but the guy is putting a shift in. Don’t boo the players, that’s all I urge. Everyone stick together.

“There’s no better feeling than playing in a great atmosphere and the fans are on your side, it gives you more confidence than anything. I’ve been there, I’m speaking personally.”

He added: “Freddie Sears, I’ve worked with Freddie at West Ham, I see someone so low on confidence. Yes, he’ll still run, he’ll still put a shift in.

“Look at Christophe Berra in the last few weeks. It was only last season or 18 months ago that people were saying he was one of the best centre-halves in the league. Now he’s struggling. It’s not through a lack of trying, just a lack of confidence.

“It seems to me the players don’t want to play at home because there’s often that negative atmosphere.”

Former England international Dyer, who having retired in 2013 watches most games from the East of England Co-op Stand, says supporters stuck by their team in the last Portman Road fixture, the 3-2 victory over Blackburn, and he hopes the same will be the case when seventh-placed Derby visit next Tuesday.

“At the last game I went to the fans were brilliant, especially when it went to one-all. The fans could easily have switched but they stayed with the team and that was one of our better performances.

“But, as I say, the fans are entitled to their opinions, they spend good money, I don’t spend money to watch Ipswich, so they’re in a very different situation to me, but just stick with the team and give as much support, get us safe. The worst thing for this club at the moment would be if we went down.”

Dyer, who is currently an academy sponsor and previously coached at Playford Road, disagrees with some supporters’ perceptions of manager Mick McCarthy, who he believes has been a victim of his own comparative success in his earlier seasons.

“The grumble I hear from fans about Mick is the way he comes across in post-match interviews and they’re calling him arrogant,” he said.

“Mick is not arrogant, but he is very blunt and he feels that he doesn’t have to answer for things and that’s the just the way he is, and that riles the fans.

“The football’s not been great for a while, I totally get that. But Mick has overachieved, he has had no money to spend and he has found gems.

“He’s found Daryl Murphy for peanuts, he found Didz for peanuts, he found Tyrone Mings, he found the two loans, Jonny Williams the first time, Ryan Fraser.

“But you can’t keep producing free transfers and players for 50 grand that are going to get us to play great football to win the league.

“He’s overachieved, now the reality is that it’s hard to compete in this league with free transfers and cheap signings.

“And that’s where the owner [Marcus Evans] has to take responsibility, I feel. But again, and I’m not sticking up for the owner, but you’ve got an owner who has given all this money to Roy Keane and Paul Jewell and we were in the relegation places.

“He’s then employed a manager who he’s given no money to and we’ve got into the play-offs one year, nearly in the play-offs another and we’ve always been in the top half of the league.

“He thinks this is the way forward now. Because Mick has done well with no money the owner thinks that’s the norm now.

“But it’s not the norm. You can’t get success on free transfers and cheap signings. It’s crazy.

“I was peed off with the owner because I thought we should have got Cat One for the academy, gone all out for Cat One.

“Then again - like with the Mick situation where he’s thinking he doesn’t have to spend money because we’re doing really well - I’m saying we should go for Cat One and was fed up we didn’t get to Cat One.

“But then you think of it from the owner’s point of view and we’re Cat Two and are producing Andre Dozzell, we’ve produced Teddy Bishop, we’ve got Ben Knight coming through, we’ve got Tristan Nydam coming through, we’ve just sold Charlie Brown for £750,000 to Chelsea.

“He must be thinking ‘Why do we need to go to Cat One?’. But if we want to have the best academy, in my opinion we have to be in Cat One.”

He added: “I feel sorry for everyone, I feel sorry for the fans, I feel sorry for Mick and I feel sorry for the owner because he’s not a football man, he hasn’t got a background in football.

“He’s seeing the academy producing players, he’s seeing Mick getting great results with no money, so he thinks it’s the norm.

“Mick’s overachieved, now the reality is that he’s struggling like hell because he hasn’t been given the funds or the quality of the players and that has a knock-on effect on to the fans.”

Photo: TWTD

Seasider added 14:07 - Jan 24 Also talking about the atmosphere at Portman Rd currently. Change the Manager, and at the next home game there would probably be another 5000 supporters,to cheer on their team.
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battyblue added 15:26 - Jan 24 Change the manager he has no way back with the vast majority so may as well kick him out now the longer he stays the more money he will loose the club it will be cheaper to pay him off,,thats obvious what he wants and would recoup that in no time come on Marcus Evans thats good business sense.
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grubbyoik added 16:52 - Jan 24 There is no way on gods earth that Dyer would appreciate playing in a Mcarthy team.. He would be pulling his hair out watching the ball fly over his head into the 'channels'.. so to come on here and tell us to support that kind of tripe football is bullsh1t. We don't ever boo the players.. we boo Mcarthy for his poor tactical decisions, poor team selections and poor substitutions.. Dyer is employed but ITFC so tows the line.. Butcher isn't employed by ITFC so speaks the truth..

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PhilTWTD added 17:16 - Jan 24 grubbyoik As per earlier post, Dyer isn't employed by ITFC. In fact even when he was coaching at the academy he wasn't actually employed as such.
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itfc2001 added 17:35 - Jan 24 Clearly Kieron is not paid by ITFC, But like so many other of our previous players they are noticeable by their silence on the Current state of the club and Mick McCarthy. No doubt very weary of the fact that any hospitality they currently enjoy will be removed if they don't tow the company line. Even Terry Butcher was less critical once interviewed at the club training ground. It's down to us supporters to make a stand and show those In charge we can make a difference.

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blueboy1981 added 17:45 - Jan 24 With the Club in the state it is in - and still with a smallish element of 'supporters' who will, can, and unfortunately do, accept anything - nothing but further demise, and lower level Football beckons under this regime. I think the rest of us are on the point of giving up completely - what a sad inditement for us ALL. A shame some will never see it, because the Pie, Pint, Scarf, and Saturday Portman Road routine, is all that matters to far too many, for us to ever reach previous heights. The people I mention are not the ones who REALLY care about the Club, in my opinion.

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Bob7881 added 17:51 - Jan 24 Confirms what ive thought for a long time those in the game never really say it how it is. Those who watch the game ie the fans are bottom of the pile. Pay yer money take yer seat and please keep yer mouth shut.
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DirtyOldNodger added 18:07 - Jan 24 Largely agree with Kieron's comments. Not surprised at the scathing comments i've read on here from the usual suspects, wouldn't expect anything less! Ok so a few questions here for those of you so disgruntled at our 'shambles' of a club... If we get rid of Mick, who would we replace him with who would do a better job with the limited funds he has had? If we got rid of some of the players as some of you are suggesting, who would you replace them with bearing in mind the manager would have limited funds; in fact even less funds after settling up all these contracts? If Marcus Evans was to leave, who would fund the £6m+ black hole in the clubs finances that is plugged year on year without question? It may have escaped many fans minds of late but surely the simplest most effective thing to do would be to cheer the team on no matter what, and let them all do their jobs knowing they have your support. If you want to protest because you don't like what you see, don't buy tickets and don't go to the games. If you all get your wishes and the manager goes, half the team leave and the owner pulls funding - that's when the club will be a shambles. Peace out, and up the town!

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blueboy1981 added 18:35 - Jan 24 DirtyOldNodger .......... keep being satisfied with everything - you epitomise the people I refer to in my post. Problem being, you (and a few others) will never see it differently. Basically you condone everything that is happening to our once great Club. Eventually you will be the only ones left. How can that be right for Ipswich Town Football Club...... ??
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horsehollerer added 18:46 - Jan 24 Well said, Kieron. And to all those moaning about the fact that he doesn't pay for tickets, you are ignoring the fact that he is an academy sponsor and presumably invests a lot more in ITFC than most of us. And at least he bothers to use his tickets, "free" or not.
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MrDiddle added 20:13 - Jan 24 If it means fans like you aren't around blueboy1981 then i'm all for it. Perhaps you should change your tone a little and offer some constructive criticism of the club and accept that other posters have opinions different to yours, rather than wasting your time slagging everyone off. But then again you're quite obviously a Nodger in disguise so there will be no telling you either way!

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RegencyBlue added 21:29 - Jan 24 I'm more with Terry Butcher's opinion after the Lincoln debacle to be honest! There is something profoundly wrong at the club and Evans is ultimately responsible for it. To be fair to Dyer he seems to be hinting that is where the problems lie but his defence of MM, whilst understandable, is misplaced. The last 18 months or so has produced some of the worst football I have ever seen from an Ipswich team in over 40 years. It cannot be allowed to continue!

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blueboy1981 added 21:49 - Jan 24 MrDiddle ........ really - I've probably put many thousands of £'s more into the Club than you would ever dream of - over the last half century (yes, half century). Care to challenge it ... ?? So, my suggestion is to button it - unless you care to challenge the statement, which I welcome. Some of you are VERY sad people unfortunately - and would not know what constructive criticism is anyway, otherwise you would accept what I have said, as an alternative view to your own.

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blueboy1981 added 21:58 - Jan 24 Elto, Gcon, Mr Diddle, DirtyOldNodger, etc; ....... the Club is now what some of you deserve - with more of the same to come. Hope you remain proud of the fact...... !!!
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Churchmans_crate added 22:26 - Jan 24 I'm afraid that it is time that many Ipswich fans woke up. Read the Swiss Ramble blog on the ITFC finances. 2015/16, despite having one of the lowest wage bills in the division, the club's wage bill was more than 100% of turnover. There are a lot of deluded people writing on this forum, saying that Marcus Evans needs to invest more. I say that we are lucky to still have a club in existence to support. MM's football is not pretty, but it is not a level playing field. Brighton loat £26m, last year! Newcastle spent £55m in transfer fees and got relegated! If we can keep our heads above water, and stay in this division, then that is a success, even though the football is ugly. A lot of you so-called supporters haven't got a clue regarding what it takes to run a football club .

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stringtheory added 22:43 - Jan 24 I don't get it - basic requirements of a football manager are self-belief, a somewhat thick-skin to armour himself against rude and vicious criticism when times are tough, and, dare I say on here, a degree of arrogance which seems to be a vital ingredient of the some of the best players and managers. How well would some of the 'McCarthy/Evans out' posters on here perform if they were booed and vilified every time they turned up for work? Remember a time when your confidence was low? What helped you, vicious criticism telling you you were a waste of space and to p**s off? Get behind the team!

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madmouse1959 added 22:55 - Jan 24 The bit I can not understand is that it all could be changed with an owner who knew what to do. It is not rocket science. The problems are obvious. The cosy club has to be no more. The smug and arrogant attitude gone. The easy meal ticket and long injury list is over. No more favours. WE recruit hungry, talented, skilful young players discarded from Premiership clubs and let them be free to express themselves. No more signing of battle scarred veterans. No more end of career paydays. All we need is a club owner to wake up and a new management team like the Lincoln Cowleys to take this new direction on board. Good young players mixed with some good solid professionals. If it means a season of struggle then so be it but I reckon with the right players we would have some fun. Hard work ethic and happy crowds.

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Bert added 23:10 - Jan 24 At last some sensible balanced posts that are realistic about our circumstances and not simply making personal attacks. We all know that there are faults within the club, just like at least half a dozen other clubs but Dyer is basically right. It is totally counter productive to boo any player on the field. We have a really tough February when we need our players confidence to be restored whatever their ability. I hope that someone gives MM some PR advice because his honest, blokey approach is now taken for arrogance. Less is best from him win or lose.

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madmouse1959 added 23:11 - Jan 24 Oh, by the way, Marcus Evans has the money to change this clubs fortunes around. He will recoup any outlay when he sells the new direction to the fans. He will get his rewards when the new team plays attacking football and the supporters flock back. He will enjoy the accolades and praise of turning this club round and listening to the fans. A better team that competes for every ball. A team that ups the tempo and attack. A better stadium and half time music entertainment on the practice pitch. Better food, beer tents, bigger crowds and better prices. Then keep stocking up the reserve team with good young players released from Premiership clubs. They are the future of this club !!! Wake up Evans !!!!

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TractorRoyNo1 added 23:35 - Jan 24 Don't bring me your problems, bring me your solutions
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Warkys_Tash added 00:09 - Jan 25 Sorry KD, you are wrong publicly criticising Butcher. He is the epitome of what is great about the history of our club & what it stands for. He would have never let his fellow team mates get away with the zlincoln debacle & most of us witnessed his heartbreak at our top flight relegation in 1986. Butchers comments are bang on. However, you are right to say hold off on the protests until we are safe, otherwise the fans could be the architects of our clubs relegation. And certainly Evans & McCarthy would site that as a contributing factor.

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GiveusaWave added 00:53 - Jan 25 For those that haven't seen this yet, I'd say this is an invaluable read http://swissramble.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/ipswich-town-stuck-in-moment.html
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shamboy added 02:20 - Jan 25 As gently as he possibly can, Kieron is explaining why the players must hate some of the Town fans. and yet, blinded by their inflated sense of entitlement and by downright ignorance, these replies show that some still will not listen. It is so disappointing. You really don't have to go far to find other former players who share these views, and basically have contempt for the fans.

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whiskey added 09:25 - Jan 25 I guess this is sort of interesting because it's a former player offering his opinion but that's all it is, and a contrary opinion is that change will only come if and when fans voices are heard during games. McCarthy isn't going to change and as long as Evans doesn't support him by paying the going rate for the types of players that are needed we will get on average mediocre displays of uninspiring football. I'm not a fan of ITFC at the moment other than in a nostalgic TWTD way and that isn't going to change until either Mick gets footballers who are good enough in spite of him, or we get a manager who can work wonders with what he has.

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MrDiddle added 11:12 - Jan 25 blueboy1981 - for someone who describes themselves as an older and more mature fan, you come across as a rather childish and spiteful individual. I'd rather not enter into a slanging match about how much money we have each individually put into the club over the years, or for how long. It's an irrelevant and pointless argument. Everyone regardless of their age, financial input etc has just as much right to be a supporter of the club and post their opinions as you do. I might suggest you climb down off that giant soapbox of yours and have a little more respect for other fans. You never know, you might actually get some respect in return.

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