SUPPORTERS club chief Ian Pennock has called on Blues fans to stay patient.The chairman of the official supporters club is aware fans will be protesting tonight as bottom-off-the-table Ipswich Town entertain Walsall but believes they should wait awhile before turning on the manager and players.

SUPPORTERS club chief Ian Pennock has called on Blues fans to stay patient.

The chairman of the official supporters club is aware fans will be protesting tonight as bottom-off-the-table Ipswich Town entertain Walsall but believes they should wait awhile before turning on the manager and players.

Pennock last night said: “People are very upset and many, like me, are confused at some of the things that are going on.

“I was at West Brom on Saturday and like a lot of supporters was livid at the way we played and the result.

“But these two home games against Walsall and Wimbledon are our lifelines.

“We would expect to beat both of those sides and if we were to get six points then we would look on things from a totally different perspective.”

The chants from Town fans at the Hawthorns were mainly to 'sack the board' but those looking for 'Sheepshanks out' will be wasting their breath tonight with the Town chairman on a family holiday in the Mediterranean.

Pennock said: “The anger is not directed at Joe Royle at the moment because we understand he has been working with his hands tied. The protests will be aimed at the board once again, mainly by people who still can't understand the financial situation.”

The Supporters Club held their annual meeting last week, which was opened by president Tony Mowbray with Royle, Sheepshanks and chief executive Derek Bowden all giving speeches.