Town boss Mick McCarthy hopes the Blues’ performance in Sunday’s derby with Norwich City at Carrow Road and the 1-1 result will help repair a relationship with supporters which he admits has been “broken at times”.
January, during which Town exited the FA Cup at the hands of non-league Lincoln City, marked a low point in the 58-year-old's four and a half years at Portman Road with various polls, including one on TWTD, indicating that the vast majority of fans felt it was time that McCarthy, who celebrates his 25th year in management next month, moved on.
The Town boss himself said he would consider his future in the summer, despite having another year on his contract and the club having an option for a further two seasons.
But February has seen an upturn in form with the Blues taking seven points from five unbeaten games having drawn with three of the Championship’s top five - leaders Brighton, fourth-placed Leeds and Reading in fifth - and at Norwich, who are eighth, as well as inflicting Aston Villa’s first home defeat of the season.
"I would hope that performance and result goes a long way to repairing our relationship with the fans," the Town boss told BBC Radio Suffolk after yesterday’s game.
"It's been broken at times. They've not enjoyed it, they've not been watching good, attractive, winning football. I get that, I've not been enjoying it particularly.
"So, over the last five games I think they've seen us play really well, and I would think helping stop Norwich in their tracks during a promotion push will endear us to our fans a little bit more."