Ipswich Town owner Marcus Evans has given manager Mick McCarthy a vote of confidence ahead of this evening’s Championship visit of Bristol City.

A section of Blues fans called for McCarthy to be sacked during a limp 2-0 home defeat to Fulham on Boxing Day, with tonight bringing the curtain down on an insipid and forgettable 2016.

Evans has outlined a five-point strategy in a 2,000-word article published in tonight’s official programme – something which was penned weeks ago and not following this paper’s open letter on Wednesday.

One of those points is ‘maintaining a stable management and coaching team’. He writes: “Changes of manager inevitably create upheaval and additional costs are incurred. I have always tried to back our managers for as long as is realistic and I have no plans to change that policy. Mick is vastly experienced and I’m confident he can get us progressing again.”

Evans stresses that it’s a non-even financial playing field and that Financial Fair Play rules are ‘not working’. The way around this, he says, is to continue investing in the academy and spending sensible transfer fees on younger players that can be developed, as well as providing a ‘sustainable and competitive salary budget’.

He also recognises that attendances at Portman Road are on the decline, with ‘developing a team to play attractive and exciting football’ listed as one of his goals. He says: “I am well aware of the criticism from certain sections of fans who, on occasions, feel we are not playing the ‘Ipswich way’.

“All I ask is for your continued fantastic support for the team at all times. A certain amount of rebuilding is taking place and, whilst recent results have been disappointing, it does not mean that the long-term plan is not the right one.”

Log on to the official Ipswich Town website for full Evans article.