Drifting towards a relegation battle, fragile Ipswich Town need support like never before.

While there is no excuse for some of the insipid displays the Blues have produced this season, everyone connected with the club, on and off the pitch, needs to ask themselves – do we really want to see Town relegated to League One?

Because, make no bones about it, if owner, manager, players and fans don’t all start to pull in the same direction, the club is drifting towards that nightmare scenario.

No, this is not a ‘ra ra’ PR spin for the club, far from it.

This newspaper has been more than vocal about what has been happening at Portman Road.

The long-awaited and much-needed Daryl Murphy replacement never arrived in January, what did were seven signings that will hardly set pulses racing and Championship defences running for cover.

Fans have had enough of some of the performances they have had to endure. But now anger has turned to apathy – a dangerous ingredient – and it’s time to face reality.

Mixed messages from up above at Portman Road, lack of leadership on the pitch and booing from the terraces.

It’s a toxic mix and no-one can blame fans for venting their anger. The team is devoid of confidence.

However, all that aside, the bigger picture is this.

In whose interests is it not to have a successful Ipswich Town Football Club?

Because next season Ipswich may, just may, be playing AFC Wimbledon, Walsall, Gillingham and others in League One if results continue as they are.

Is that what we all want?

The club is at a serious juncture right now. Starting with the visit of third-placed Reading this weekend, Town have a murderous run of fixtures - Villa away, Brighton away, Leeds at home and then old rivals Norwich away - and it’s hard to see many points being picked up there to stop the rot.

And if relegation comes, bouncing back is nowhere near as simple as some think.

Everyone connected with the club is hurting, frustrations are being vented in different ways - no-one should be criticised for how they vent theirs.

But the club needs leadership in the boardroom, leadership in the dressing room, leadership on the pitch - and support on the terraces.

The alternative is unthinkable.

- What do you think? Let us know via email