Town striker Brett Pitman has urged fed-up fans to get behind the team for tonight’s home clash with fellow strugglers Bristol City.

The 2-0 Boxing Day home defeat to Fulham saw manager Mick McCarthy and the players come in for an ear-bashing from sections of the crowd as the team extended a miserable Portman Road record to just two wins from their last nine outings.

Asked about the crowd reaction, Pitman said: “I think that’s football these days — it happens and it’s not helpful for the players.

“We’re trying to do the right things and we’d love the fans to really get behind us. But on the other hand I understand their frustrations.

“My urge to them is ‘Get behind us and if it’s not been a good performance boo at the final whistle. Give us whatever you want at the end of the game but really get behind us while we can get something out of the game’.”

Pitman & Co are desperate to make amends for a rock-bottom display against in-form Fulham, beaten just once in their last nine outings, when one of his former clubs are in town this evening.

He added: “Any defeat is tough but we didn’t deserve anything out of the game on Monday. They were thoroughly better than us and we’ve got to put in a performance on Friday night that hopefully goes some way to rectifying that.

“I think you have to give a lot of credit to Fulham. They’ve come and started brightly, and we’ve really struggled to get a foothold in the game and get hold of the ball. We found it difficult and, like I said, we’ll be looking to put it right.

“I’ve never met a footballer or any other kind of sportsman that is happy with losing and I don’t think I ever will. Obviously, everyone takes defeat differently and deals with it differently. We are hurting from the Fulham result and we’ll hopefully put it right on Friday.

“Don’t get me wrong, the fans have been brilliant with us and their reaction is understandable because the results and the performances haven’t been there.

“You can understand them venting their frustration. I urge them to really get behind us and support us. If the result or the performance isn’t right then by all means they should vent their frustrations at the end.”

Pitman believes Town would benefit enormously from back-to-back wins, something they have yet to achieve going into the second half of the current campaign.

He added: “If you win a couple of games, maybe three or four games in a row, in this league, all of a sudden you’re not far away from the play-offs. It’s such a bizarre league but that’s how it is.

“On the other hand, if you lose three or four in a row you’re looking at the relegation zone. We’re trying to string back-to-back wins together but we’ve struggled to do it.”

Pitman started the Fulham game but was withdrawn at the interval along with youngster Andre Dozzell, with experienced pair David McGoldrick and Leon Best replacing them as McCarthy sought in vain to find a way back into a one-sided game.

He said: “That’s football. The manager thought that was the best way to get back into the game and I support that decision.

“It didn’t work out that way but I’d have liked us to get something out of the game, having come off at half-time and the manager having made that call. It is part and parcel of football; you accept it and move on.”

Photo: TWTD

BrettenhamBlue added 06:20 - Dec 30 We are behind you, watching Bart-Man make save after save after save.
9

christiand added 06:24 - Dec 30 Give us something to shout about and support. I think it needs to start with the players, what have they really done to get us off our seats in the last 18 months?
10

BrettenhamBlue added 06:31 - Dec 30 Christiand- we watch incredible saves from Bart week after week, sure the club regards that as entertainment!
4

battyblue added 06:55 - Dec 30 There is very little that this manager does that works out ..McCarthy out.
7

TractorCam added 07:14 - Dec 30 The players make it sound like we just turn up to boo
8

Suffolk_n_Good added 07:18 - Dec 30 We've been behind the team the whole time whilst we've played 14 years of Championship football, so don't come out & start spouting this "get behind us crap" when you've only been here for 10 mins, start giving us something to shout about
15

truckertractorboy added 07:32 - Dec 30 How on earth can u keep cheering when u r bored out of your skull with the complete rubbish we watch week in and week out .
11

chevvymalc added 07:55 - Dec 30 We will cheer til the end of the game unfortunately the game is over for us when the team is announced so whats to cheer about!!!!!!
4

Blue_Meanie added 08:05 - Dec 30 Christ, boo at the end. Has it got this bad that players are being rolled out to tell us this? Don't quite remember Beatie, Hunter, Mariner, Stewart, Mathie, Wark; you get the idea,ever suggesting this. What would Robson and Burley have said? McCarthey just GO, no one wants you here.
9

martin587 added 08:45 - Dec 30 When the team starts to show signs of a willing to compete and win,then we have nothing to shout about,do we.!,
4

shakytown added 08:54 - Dec 30 If you wan't support then tell your idiot boss to pick a team with intent to win not lose. The negative dross being served up game after game will generate more anger and dissention. No hopers like douglas and the other proper blokes will never inspire the fans.
5

howdonblue added 09:02 - Dec 30 We need something to get behind
6

ABINGTONBLUEBOY added 09:02 - Dec 30 I will continue to support the team during this difficult time, but can not support the Manager or Owners tactics. This is my strategy for attending Ipswich Town games. it will remain in place until there is a change of match tactics and serious investment in playing staff. 1. I will not renew my Silver membership. 2. I will sit in a lower priced seat. 3. I will not purchase any club item from on line, the shop, the refreshment bar. 4. I will not purchase a match day programme. 5. I will not purchase a ticket any earlier than 1 day before the match. 6. I will not enter the stadium early. 7. I will not take my seat until the latest possible. This will be my peaceful protest. There are far more than 10% of fans who are disgruntled, perhaps there's more than one way of protesting.

1

brittaniaman added 09:21 - Dec 30 He should hear the groans in the Bar when Douglas and Skuse are announced in the team together !! We think McCarthy does it to annoy the Fans, and that is before the Kick off ??? Because it just does not work, McCarthy just cannot get this defence minded attitude out of his brain ???? If you do not Kick a Player out of the game then you are not playing well, His Way !!

2

vanmunt added 09:30 - Dec 30 Just shove off Pittman, sick of this crap every week.
2

d0nk added 09:39 - Dec 30 Maybe you get in the stands and we will play in your places. The fans will show more fight than u sorry lot. Maybe u can cheer us on better. Just a thought eh
0

Daleyitfc added 10:06 - Dec 30 Next ... indeed, what/who next? Time for Cameron Stewart and Paul Taylor to say "Be careful what you wish for" ?
0

BlueSmith94 added 10:16 - Dec 30 Im pretty sure during the game we are supporting the players, but when we are 2-0 at home with no shots on target, we are going to be angry! If they give us something to cheer about, we will!
4

prebsa added 10:20 - Dec 30 Pitmans turn to tell us what to do, we pay our money part of your wages intact so we will do and say whatever we like thanks.
2

happybeingblue added 10:26 - Dec 30 not going tonight want to enjoy the rest of the festive period :) hope they can win but fear the worst again
1

HarryS_H added 11:09 - Dec 30 There's no point abusing the players during the match, however bad you think the game is going that'll make it 10 times worse. At least pittmans big enough to admit they deserve the abuse and I think it's completely fair to request it at the end of the game. Give them a good atmosphere and they will play better (obviously it should be the other way around). You'll enjoy the game more as well must be depressing going to a match and moaning for 90minutes maybe try this whole encouraging thing instead of abusing players who are low on confidence and despite what some of you seem to think aren't trying to lose and want to do well??

0

HackneyBlue added 11:29 - Dec 30 How can you cheer when your asleep ?
2

shortmarine1969 added 12:06 - Dec 30 Of course they want it at the end of the game - where the majority walk promptly off the pitch and down the tunnel along with MM so they don,t have to face the music..3 players came up to the NS after the Fulham game..just about.!...Bart came up and got applauded...Pitt,s 'give it to us after the game'...give the fans the chance to give the voice to MM and some of our sh** players and i am sure the NS would oblige you... tool.

1

Bob7881 added 15:23 - Dec 30 Harry S H is it cold in Canada?
0

therein61 added 18:19 - Dec 30 Get behind you!? then show us something to get excited about because when gates drop below 10,000 you won't see any of us behind the expanse that is the right backs rear end!!
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