IPSWICH TOWN: Are Town fans becoming some of the worst in the Championship?

The question has to be asked after a measly 10,000 bothered to turn up at Portman Road for the club’s biggest game for six seasons.

Which other Championship club would be left to play in front of a stadium two thirds empty making Ipswich fans contenders as the worst in the division.

Those who turned up in a total attendance of 11,363 (1,106 visitors) to watch a superb display by Roy Keane’s side in beating West Brom 1-0 in the quarter-final of the Carling Cup on Wednesday were magnificent.

And away support has been excellent.

But club owner Marcus Evans has been left wondering whether his huge investment and desire to bring the good times back to Ipswich Town is worth persevering with.

There can be no excuses for the lack of backing the team received with Town obviously having far too many fair-weather supporters. Although the weather was cold the roads were okay and the stands dry.

An awful defeat at arch rivals Norwich City three days earlier – on the back of a three previous losses - increased the growing number of fans losing patience with Keane and his dull playing team.

But either you support a club or you don’t and Keane has achieved what has been achieved only three times before – a League Cup semi-final.

Nights like Wednesday only come along only rarely.

How many of those calling for heads to roll will be turncoats and saviour the occasion and atmosphere of the Emirates in the next round - and then perhaps Wembley?

A club that has brought this provincial town the UEFA Cup, Football League championship and the FA Cup deserves much better than they received on Wednesday night.

The team and Keane, who faces a ticklish selection poser tomorrow with cup-tied players coming back into contention along with Damien Delaney after his suspension, could do with support tomorrow when third-placed Swansea visit in a live televised game that kicks-off at 12.45pm.

The season has been kept alive and it’s a chance for fans to repair the damage in a game where Jason Scotland and Rory Fallon will be playing against one of their former clubs.

WHAT do you think? Have your say by e-mailing starsport@eveningstar.co.uk