DAVID Stockdale was sat among the Ipswich Town fans for the recent 5-0 defeat at Crystal Palace – and today the club’s ex-loanee assures them that Marcus Evans, Simon Clegg and Mick McCarthy will get it right at Portman Road.

The Fulham keeper – who today is set to join Championship side Hull City on loan – has a big soft spot for the Blues following his 18-game spell on loan last season

And while it pains him to see them in the bottom three of the Championship table, he is convinced that better times are just around the corner.

“I made some great friends during my time there, I moved to the area during my spell and Ipswich’s is the first result I look out for,” said Stockdale, in an exclusive interview with the EADT and Ipswich Star.

“I went to watch them at Crystal Palace with my dad recently after Scott Loach got me some tickets with the away fans. No-one seemed to recognise me and it was nice to hear what the true feelings are in the stands sometimes.

“I know the owner and chief executive get a lot of stick, but I can’t speak highly enough of them. Mr Clegg was great with me and I was really impressed with Mr Evans on the single occasion I met him. They are continually trying to improve the club.

“There were people calling for Paul Jewell to go a long time ago, but I liked how the club stuck by their manager.”

He continued: “I think the previous manager was unlucky. He brought in some good players but things just didn’t fall for him and he’ll be gutted he hasn’t been able to see through the job.

“Mick McCarthy is a manager who I have got a lot of respect for though. I’ve always made the point of going and shaking his hand when I’ve come up against his sides. He’s a fellow northerner, he says it how it is and I think the players will benefit from that.

“This is a new chapter and the fans have got to get behind the team during this transitional period. That will happen I am sure because the supporters there are fantastic. Where else do you get 17-18,000 attendances at home and 1,000 regularly attending away during such tough times? Most clubs would be happy with that during a winning run.”

He added: “I trained with a lot of the lads that are still there and they are all capable players. Confidence is a massive factor. When you feel like you are letting yourself and the fans down it’s hard to get out of that rut, but when you get on a roll you feel that belief come flooding back. That’s the same at every club and every level.”