When Bryan Klug was appointed caretaker manager at Ipswich Town, he said he wanted to restore a sense of unity. If the atmosphere at Saturday’s game is any guide, he’s already made a lot of progress, writes Northstander Terry Hunt.

What happened on the pitch was, to a large extent, pretty irrelevant. We were already up against it facing a good Villa team, and once we were reduced to ten players, it became mission impossible.

Much more significant was what was happening in the stands. Firstly, we had a Portman Road crowd of over 20,000. Secondly, the supporters got right behind the team, throughout the whole 90 minutes.

There was not a hint of booing, despite the home side being well beaten. As Villa’s fourth goal went in, the cheering and chanting just carried on as if nothing had happened.

It was good to hear – such a tonic after the poisonous atmosphere which had developed during Mick McCarthy’s last few months.

The atmosphere was helped by the fact that, despite being up against overwhelming odds, Klug kept attacking. His substitutions were positive ones. I’m convinced that would never have happened under McCarthy.

He would have “parked the bus” after the red card and lost the game by “only” one or two goals. The McCarthy fans on social media who said he wouldn’t have lost that game 4-0 are right, but that’s really not the point. We want to see our team have a go!

So, well done, Bryan and co. You are already helping to heal the painful wounds which were created by the events of this season. I really hope you get some good results in the last two games of the season. You deserve it.

Meanwhile, the search for our permanent new manager continues. Interesting to see the name of Steven Gerrard being mentioned. Who knows how much truth there is in that.

I’m not sure we need another big name after the Roy Keane experience. Yes, we would be in the media spotlight, but it would always be about “Steven Gerrard’s Ipswich Town....”

Someone currently doing well in the lower leagues would be a far better fit.