Town boss Mick McCarthy says winning games will be the key factor in encouraging fans back to Portman Road, Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Brighton having been watched by the lowest crowd at a Championship game at Portman Road for almost three years.

Tuesday’s official attendance was 15,228, the smallest since the 14,953 recorded at the Blackburn home game in December 2013. Both games will have actually been watched by fewer fans with season ticket holders counted in the attendance figure regardless of whether they are at a match.

McCarthy said he noticed the disappointing crowd when he reviewed the game later in the week: “I thought that when I looked back at the game on Thursday morning, but I didn’t hear what it was.”

In addition to the low attendance on Tuesday, summer season ticket sales were down around 1,000 and McCarthy says the only way to reverse the current downward trend is to win games.

“Just seeing it disappointed me," he added. "I didn’t really notice it the other night. I don’t walk out onto the pitch and go, ‘It’s a low crowd’, I’m focused on the game.

“But seeing it this morning I did. The crowd looked pretty sparse. I don’t like that, I prefer to have big crowds but the only way we’ll get them is by winning games.

“And at the moment, we’re not, so we’ll have to get back to that, like we did four years ago when we were bottom of the league with seven points and the crowds were low.

“We got crowds in because we started winning games and we started to have a bit of success. If we start to do that again that’s when they’ll come back.”

Is it just winning football that gets the numbers through the gates? “If you’ve got any other reason as to why, if it’s that they haven’t got the money [that people don't go to games], which people haven’t, it’s tight, but you tell me any other reason people come to watch.”

Are entertainment and goals also factors? “When I came in four years ago and we were bottom with seven points - and I haven’t done anything different over those last four years - did the crowds increase? Why was that? [Winning games].”

He added: “Very rarely have I ever come away from a game I’ve gone to watch and I was supporting a team and they win and I go ‘Didn’t enjoy that today’, whether it’s rugby, tennis, whatever I go and watch.

“The person I see who wins it, it’s generally more entertaining than when you get beaten, isn’t it?

“I could name a couple of teams who would spin that they play some lovely entertaining football and we’re not playing them any more.

“And by the way we’re not trying not to play entertaining football, let’s clear that up. We don’t play unentertaining football, we’re not trying to do that.”

Today’s opponents Huddersfield boosted their home crowds by subsidising 15,000 season tickets - an adult seat cost £179 - in the summer, off-setting the cost against £1 million of the additional £2 million in TV money Championship clubs are receiving this season.

As a result, the Terriers their home crowds have hit higher levels than at any time since they were in the top flight in 1970/71.

McCarthy says that running that aspect of the club isn’t down to him, he’s only in control of the football side: “I don’t have anything to do with that, that’s not my bag.

“I try and create a winning team, a good environment and manage the playing side of it.”

Meanwhile, former Blues left-back Jamie Clapham, 40, has joined Barnsley’s staff as their first-team coach on what’s initially a short-term basis.

Clapham was previously first-team coach at Coventry working under his former Town team-mate Tony Mowbray until they resigned on Wednesday.

Photo: TWTD

Superfrans added 09:39 - Oct 1 If we were in the top 2 or 3, we'd have more people coming through the gate. But we'd have even more again if we were 2nd/3rd while playing like Kevin Keegan's Newcastle. But I just don't believe those who say we'd have fans pouring through the turnstiles if we were playing exciting, expansive football while losing week after week. We were a much more expansive, attacking team under Jewell, but attendances slumped under him. So, everybody is right.

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Miles added 09:42 - Oct 1 Winning games is more important than playing good football and anyone who says otherwise is in denial. It would be nice if we could do both but winning has to be the priority. Look at Martinez last season at Everton. Had them playing good football but didn't get the results and ended up with the sack. If we had a repeat of the 14/15 season then the gates would be high every week. Not because the football was amazing but because we were winning and to be honest that's all I want. Anyone that has played football will know you play to win and you'll try do that whatever way you can. Unfortunately too many of our fans have never actually played the game and struggle to grasp this concept.

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NorwichBlue138 added 10:03 - Oct 1 Oh dear, Mick. Whilst there'll be a percentage of fans who are just there to jump on the March and April playoff bandwagon, the vast majority are staying away due to the style of football, not the results. Some of the best games I've been to as an ITFC fan, we've actually not won (as bad as that sounds) - one in particular sticks out is a 3-3 draw against Middlesbrough (2010 or 2011) which was a really open, high quality game. One of the most entertaining 90 minutes I've ever seen at Portman Road - didn't want it to end. Some of the other games I remember fondly - beating Gillingham 4-3 at home, a 6-4 vs Crewe a few years back, and beating Crystal Palace 4-3 at Selhurst Park. The common theme? GOALS! In the same way people go to cricket to see lots of runs, go to rugby to see lots of tries, football fans want to see goals, and that just isn't happening at Portman Road these days. Too much defensive football. I can't be alone in saying I would happily go and watch us lose 3-2 every week, but have given it a good go, rather than cling on for a 0-0 draw. I too had a season ticket for 14 years, and decided to jack it in because I couldn't get excited about it any longer. It's a results business, but for the fans, it is about being entertained.

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Daleyitfc added 10:18 - Oct 1 As so many have already said, this interview alone sums up why McCarthy has to go : he considers that entertainment and winning are one and the same, whereas what we want is both, ideally ; but the main reason for low attendances is people being bored, irrespective of whether we win, lose or draw. I'm sure attendances WOULD go up if we were winning (as apart from anything else that would mean we actually scored at least one goal per game), but not by that much.

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braveblue added 10:21 - Oct 1 Further proof that he has no idea of what is going on. People are bored to death watching his style. I am going today as a fan but I know it will be two holding midfielders and one up front. It will be boring in an effort to get a good point!! That is why people are not turning up.
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Miles added 10:24 - Oct 1 Norwichblue138 you can't be serious that you would be happy to see us lose 3-2 every week?! I want to watch my football team win and for me that's what matters
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Surco72 added 10:39 - Oct 1 It's not just about winning MM that is why you have lost so many supporters at every club you have been too . Van Gaal won the FA cup but the football was dull and boring so he got sacked , your big mate got West Ham higher than they had been for years , football was poor and dull out he went . As far as I can see MM has done no different to Keane and Jewell we are still in the same league only its less fun to watch games and very few plyers that excite you on the ball . At least Jewell had the decency to get out when he knew it was nor working

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Taricco_Fan added 10:54 - Oct 1 Lower the ticket prices! Winning football is obviously a major cause of dwindling crowds, but it's not the only reason. The club is ripping-off its matchday ticket supporters. Does the club seriously think the following is reasonable? Price Group 1 - £27.50 (£30 on the day) Price Group 2 - £32.50 (£35 on the day) Take a couple of kids and this is a very expensive day out. And for what? Defensive, kick-and-rush football in a half-empty stadium devoid of atmosphere. Wake up! Not everybody can justify a season ticket (which are, admittedly, reasonably priced) due to work commitments, long-distance travel etc...so don't rip them off!

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vanmunt added 10:55 - Oct 1 Boring hoofball, negative anti-football is boring... not rocket science why gates are falling.
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Spanishblueblood added 10:55 - Oct 1 Mick said he didn't notice the low attendance and he never pays any attention to how many are there. Well I have to say that the fans are the life blood of the club, it is vitally important that fans turn up and to be honest, it was always one of the first things we would look at and comment on, just before kick off!! Now surely anyone that gives a damn, would look to see how many fans have been bothered to attend, especially the manager when pressure is starting to mount and his job could be on the line. Sadly though, Mick doesn't give a flying frig about the fans, he is an arrogant, ignorant dinosaur that has had his day!!!!!

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Taricco_Fan added 10:56 - Oct 1 Edit - the above should read 'lack of winning football'!
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Knightsy added 10:58 - Oct 1 I don't go anymore and I won't whilst he's at the club. Yes it's entertainment , decent play, instead of the dross that is currently being played, I don't have to be not going to even see that is the case. I made my decision not to renew my season ticket after the 2-0 win at home to Blackburn even though we won that was a god awful game. Then from that game onwards we have been again awful at home. Even if we do win today, it will only paper over the cracks, the town fans that still go really needs to open their eyes and see what's going on. Mick Out...you boring cantankerous dinosaur of a manager

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Garv added 11:01 - Oct 1 COYB11 - Not really sure that's a fair representation of crowds that season. That game against Forest was the game that confirmed our play off place. Consistent home crowds previous to that were nowhere near 24,000.
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brittaniaman added 11:06 - Oct 1 WELL when Fans are clapping a Throw in and cheering a Corner, I think that Boredom does come in to the Equasion !!!!!!! No Goals Ipswich Town is becoming a Habit ?? (please prove me wrong today) But MM. if you would just pick your available strongest team, who might be able to give it a go !! Summer signings were of short supply because you were looking after Evans money (Allegedly) Because of the unforeseen injury situation it has come back to bite you on the Bum That is probably why you are his favourite Manager and will be here as long as he will be, because it seem as though he has lost his ambition to progress any further with ITFC. and seems content to just muddle along as a championship team.. Soon there will be just season ticket holders attending Portman rd unless there is a big shake up.

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Taricco_Fan added 11:09 - Oct 1 Standards have dropped at Portman Road, that's for sure, both on the pitch and in the stands.
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thundercat600 added 11:14 - Oct 1 Absolutely nothing to do with the entry cost to watch rubbish football now has it
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Pip50 added 11:15 - Oct 1 It's a simple conundrum MONEY. Mick sets up the best he can with the current resources. Yes he doesn't help with some selections team placing and substitutions that's why he has to go. But the underlying issue is we simply don't have enough good players.
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Churchmanschild added 11:28 - Oct 1 it seems the main theme here is boredom, that's why I gave up mine, expecting us to believe the same old crap time and time again. as long as we play Skuse & Douglas there will never be any creativity let alone goals. sadly I can't see anything changing as MR Evans is happy spending nothing! I despair!!
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carlisleaway added 11:35 - Oct 1 That about sums up the McCarthy policy, bore the fans with his style of play. Nothing will change and the time is right for a change up top. Why do we always worry about the opposition use the strength available to him Otherwise lose another 1,000 season ticket holders, surely Mr Evans you can see what is happening in front of your own eyes
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Hegansheroes added 11:36 - Oct 1 Completely agree with Prebbs007. What comes over with this interview is MM's arrogance, total lack of integrity ,stupidity and lack of footballing ability. Ask the Wolves' & sunderland fans, if he'd stayed at Sunderland he'd have been lynched. I rarely go nowe not because we're not winning but because of the total lack of football and that is down to one person and one pe rson only. it's got to the poitnt now I cannot listen to him on Radio Suffolk, sounds like we'be got Snow White & the & fxckin dwarfs in the team with his ridiculous nicknames. Come on Phil Ham, lets have a poll on here show some courage or do you have to toe the party line, ie agree with the spin & Bull coming from PR###

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cammeray added 11:55 - Oct 1 "but you tell me any other reason people come to watch.” Reading this makes me want to put my first through the wall. How about playing football for starters you pathetic excuse for a tactician. People want to be entertained, see their team have a go ffs. McCarthy is so out of touch it's sickening. The fact he has to keep bringing up the time we were bottom speaks volumes about his sense of what achievement is. Perhaps grid getting edgy afterall

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Taricco_Fan added 12:04 - Oct 1 I work with both a Wolves and a Sunderland fan. The consensus from both was it will end in tears.
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superblue70 added 12:06 - Oct 1 This argument about winning or entertainment is pointless because we rarely do either, the sad thing is i really think mm believes his own spin, 5-10 thousand fans can't be wrong and that's the amount mm has bored away from PR sad times ahead.
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Seasider added 12:14 - Oct 1 Well has it finally started to occur to the dinosaur that he has something to do with the falling crowds at PR. He has said in the past that he reads little of newspaper comments etc,presumably if he did he would realise,but I wouldn't be sure about that. I notice in the report above that he seems to be saying that winning is everything,never mind how it is obtained,and once again speaks disparagedly about entertainment;saying his style hasn't changed.We know that Mr Mccarthy and that is why the crowds are falling. Perhaps Mr Evans has dared to have a word with this arrogant Yorkshireman,as he is talking the talk a bit more now;but as yet isn't walking the walk.Perhaps it is stubbornness,which he has a lot of;or possibly he is not capable of managing any other way. Time will tell,but expect him to start with 2 defensive mids as usual this afternoon,after his praise of Douglas. Sigh!!!

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TractorBoy666 added 12:26 - Oct 1 Is this man deluded? 2 consecutive dull 0-0's determines why crowds are falling. Back when we were bottom of the league, where we had to set up and WIN games was the reason crowds come back. Since then it's been safety first to try not putting us into a relegation battle because of the players you put in the team WEEK in week out, 'Dougie' 'Skusey'. Just get him out this club, I'm going again as usual today with no excitement and no encouragement.

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