It’s now or never for Marcus Evans, according to Ipswich Town fans.
After almost 10 years at the helm, Ipswich Town fans want their millionaire owner to put his hand in his pocket and back manager Mick McCarthy with significant funds in the transfer market.
Since McCarthy’s arrival at Portman Road in October 2012, the former Sunderland and Wolves boss has relied heavily on free transfers and loans, his recruitment nous in 2015 almost paying off as Town reached the play-offs.
However, since that two-legged defeat to Norwich, the Blues have regressed and this season finished in their lowest position for 58 years.
Evans has had his fingers burnt before though, McCarthy’s predecessors, Roy Keane and Paul Jewell both spending relatively big amounts on transfer fees with mixed success, and Town are no nearer reaching the Premier League now than when he arrived.
His cautious nature in the transfer market should not be completely criticised though, after all he wants to see value for money and there are the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules to consider, but limiting McCarthy’s spending power, barring something spectacular happening, is only going to get the Blues so far.
In an online survey conducted by Archant, 84% of almost 1,500 fans taking part said Evans must increase his outlay on transfers and wages or sell up, while only 16% agreed that the £5-6m a year he pumped into the club was a sufficient amount.
Meanwhile, owners and chairman are often criticised for being too vocal, and interfering with on-pitch matters.
That’s not something that Evans can be accused of, indeed 69% of voters believe he needs to speak to fans more.
Had Town had seasons of success under their owner, this probably wouldn’t be the case, but such has been the disappointment of recent times, fans are desperate to know the direction the club is heading.
His five-point plan, published last year, which included placing an emphasis on developing youth players, bringing in talent at the start of their careers and providing a competitive budget for first-team signings went some way to addressing that and, just under half of Ipswich supporters polled think his strategy is a sensible one.
Ultimately though, actions speak louder than words.
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