Town legend Kevin Beattie has hit out at fans who are calling for George Burley's head after just five league games into the new season. However, the ex-defender thinks that this season is make or break for his former team-mate.

Writing in his Evening Star column, Beattie says: "Personally, I think it's crazy to be talking about sacking a manager just five games into the season.

"Town have failed to win any of their last three league fixtures, taking a mere two points from a possible nine, but it is hardly grounds for dismissal."

The man known as The Beat, however, does have a warning for his former colleague: "If things don't go according to plan, I don't doubt that George will be under pressure.

"But he will know that better than anyone. He's in the results business and will have to deliver, or the Portman Road board may well feel it is time for a change.

"I'm only guessing, but my hunch is that chairman David Sheepshanks and his boardroom colleagues have already made one decision — that they simply won't tolerate more than one year in the First Division.

"It wouldn't even surprise me if, come the turn of the year, Town are loitering in mid-table and promotion appears a long shot, they decide the time is right for a change at the top."

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