Ipswich Town keeper Bartosz Bialkowski says the club’s players need to take responsibility for the recent slump in results.

Owner Marcus Evans and manager Mick McCarthy have been facing a lot of criticism over a lack of investment and entertainment respectively of late.

The Blues have won just one of their last seven games and now face a do-or-die game at sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow afternoon if they are to keep alive their fast-fading Championship play-off hopes.

“We have a really experienced manager and he knows what he’s doing,” said Bialkowski. “He’s got great success in this division. There is nothing to worry about for him, it’s just us.

“If we could score a few more goals it might be a different story. We are the ones on the pitch and it’s totally up to us.”

Bialkowski – who lost his place in the team after he attended his father’s funeral last August – was named Supporters’ Player of the Year, following last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Brentford, having started just 16 league games.

“It means a lot. I was shocked. I didn’t expect that to be honest,” he said.

“I think Tommy Smith has had a really solid season and I’d said to him that I thought he would get it. Obviously Freddie Sears has been really good and always works hard, but my vote would have gone to Tommy.

“It was a massive honour for me. Especially after the season I’ve had.

“After my dad died I was a bit down, but I stayed patient and kept working hard and thankfully it all paid off. I’m so grateful to the fans for their support.

“I’m sure dad is proud and he is watching me up there. I know he is with me all the time. I said to my wife that I literally feel like my dad is with me on the field.”

He added: “I have to thank Mally (keeper coach Malcom Webster) for his support and advice too.

“I’m 29 in July and that’s young for a keeper. I feel like I’m improving all the time and that my best years as a player are to come.”