Town boss Mick McCarthy says he can do nothing to affect the size of Portman Road crowds other than to get results. Saturday’s 2-0 victory over bottom-of-the-table Bolton Wanderers was watched by only 14,164 fans, the lowest home crowd for a league game since 13,212 attended the 1-0 victory over Swindon in October 1998.

Following last season’s disappointing 16th-place finish and a 1.5 per cent price rise, season ticket sales dropped by nearly 2,000 to the high 10,000s, while struggling Wanderers brought only 337 fans to Suffolk for Saturday's match.

"In terms of the crowd, I can't make people come in, I can only try to affect results," McCarthy told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"We're in the top six with 15 points from seven games, which is way beyond any of our expectations when we started, mine included.

"I said I don't think we're one of the best teams in the league and we're going to have to be tough and belligerent and organised - and all those horrible things people don't particularly like - but we have got a bit of something.

"I try my best to create a winning team and a good atmosphere amongst everybody, and I think we've got that. It's the club that gets more concerned about the crowd.”

In order to try to address the drop in season ticket numbers Town reduced their matchday prices and introduced a new ticket bundle scheme ahead of the start of the campaign.

The Blues, who take on leaders Leeds United, who they trail by two points with a game in hand at Elland Road on Saturday, are next in action at home to Sunderland a week tomorrow with another Portman Road fixture, against Bristol City, the following Saturday.

Photo: TWTD

TimmyH added 14:18 - Sep 18 There are no great teams in the Championship just look at Hull and Sunderland and how they are struggling already so to say we're over achieving isn't entirely accurate, as mentioned last season clubs can get in the play-offs without spending ridiculous sums (as per Huddersfield, Reading) - stop using a low budget as an excuse even though Evans has put his hand in his wallet to a degree this summer.

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Jewels added 14:21 - Sep 18 MM ...... If you started with a more positive lineup and stopped being so defensive, even against the bottom club it would help! Start players like Downes and Celina and play 2 up front!!
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essextractorboy93 added 14:26 - Sep 18 There isn't too much difference to the attendances with the Brentford and Fulham home games this season. Bolton brought just over 300 whereas Brentford and Fulham brought considerably more so there isnt much difference in the amount of home fans turning up. Everyone would like to see entertaining attacking football at every club up and down the country but Mick won't change. I would rather see winning football than entertaining football.

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foot_kick_ball_goal added 14:38 - Sep 18 I really struggle to understand the comments in here sometimes. Finally funds have become available to start spending on players, we are potentially 1 win away from top of the table with a game in hand. We play league leaders, Leeds, next; a team that we have a habit of beating and the response is a lack of support of the team and the manager? If the fans stop going to games now, how much money do you think will be available in the Jan transfer window? If the fans stop supporting now, when the team is finally playing some decent football and getting some good results; what do you think the chances of us beating Leeds on Saturday are? Better than if the players trot out onto the pitch to a packed home crowd cheering for them? How about we wait until at least mid-way through the season. Then if we are sitting in the bottom half, revisit the complaining issue. Until then how about rewarding the team for the great start with a bit of support.

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yungblue added 14:50 - Sep 18 Unfortunately it is down to Mick's football that will never change. I think it has gone beyond results base now. The football under Mick will never change, and the crowds consequently will not change. An attractive style of football with players who put fans on the edge of the seat will bring the fans back. You wouldn't pay to watch a boring film, or a boring theatre, just other forms of entertainment, so people people won't pay for boring football, they want to be entertained.

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12th_Man added 14:58 - Sep 18 I still think fans would stay away even if we were playing wrll some so called fans love a moan
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WestSussexBlue added 14:59 - Sep 18 I thought Mick said the aim this season was top 6? Then surely it's not way beyond expectation to be in there at this stage. Come on MM you've always stated your willing to compete and work with what was available, Evans has given a little more to the transfer kitty so let's not push down those expectations.
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TR11BLU added 15:07 - Sep 18 No but you can drive them away. Ive never ever come away from a win so deflated as I did on Saturday. Dire Dino out
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OldClactonBlue added 15:13 - Sep 18 foot_kick_ball_goal "when the team is finally playing some decent football" That isn't yet and there you have it in a nutshell.
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northblue added 15:23 - Sep 18 Well done to MM Sat for bringing on youngsters near the end of the game and letting them have a a run out.
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keighleyblue added 15:27 - Sep 18 Ticket prices are way too high. Huddersfield season tickets £100. Bradford City £149. Result - full houses for both, every game.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 15:39 - Sep 18 Evans blue, not a defence of Mick here but do you miss being no.of the league 2. The day you miss PJ and the dark lord is the day to take up crown green bowls! Never did I think a town fan would utter such a sentence.
2

Sam added 15:43 - Sep 18 The crowd being low is very disappointing because if only 14K turn up when we are 5th, what will it be if we drop down. Sadness
2

Swn98 added 16:00 - Sep 18 I realy thought he was joking Blue and True.
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SW1_Blue added 16:01 - Sep 18 You couldn't pay me to come and watch your team Mick. I'm deeply saddened to say it, but I won't be back at PR until you've gone.
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Lightningboy added 16:05 - Sep 18 I appreciate the job you're doing and the majority of the signings you've made - what I don't appreciate are negative tactics at home and the constant picking of certain favourites no matter how little they contribute on a regular basis. Bart,Gerken; Chambers,Iorfa,Spence,Kenlock,Knudsen,Webster,Smith,Connoly; Ward,Huws,Adeyemi,Celina,Dozzell,Bishop,Skuse,Downes,Nydam,Rowe; Waghorn,Sears,Garner,McGoldrick. That's a very very good squad (when all fit)..No excuses now to get us playing good football regularly.

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thebeat added 16:11 - Sep 18 The decent start we have had is too little too late in many fans eyes, he has burned too many bridges, me included over the last 2 seasons for a number of reasons, setting up not to lose, worrying about the opposition first, playing players out of position, destroying some of their careers in the meantime with Sears being a huge example of this. Picking favourites over better players in the squad because they are "proper blokes" Playing turgid boring hoofball, digging the fans out after games because they have the gall to point out all the above. It went on too long and some of us have said enough enough we aren't going back until the club has a philosophy change. A few wins against poor teams won't bring those people back while he's in charge. Simple as.

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blue75 added 16:26 - Sep 18 This comment from McCarthy says it all "I said I don't think we're one of the best teams in the league and we're going to have to be tough and belligerent and organised - and all those horrible things people don't particularly like - but we have got a bit of something." basically translates to I'm setting up to lose and if we keep nicking the goals we'll be ok. Away from home that's ok but at home you're meant to impose your game on the opposition not the other way round!! After saturdays game the town fans I know didn't have a good word to say even with 2 good goals!! Also next home all you McCarthy' boys want to make some noise been a long time since his name was sung in a positive way, a small group tried Saturday but failed. The silent majority want him gone!!

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Mark added 16:35 - Sep 18 I agree results are more important than performances, BUT if we stop winning (like last season) then there is very little to attract fans to return if the football is not exciting. We had lost 3 games (Palace, Fulham, QPR) going into the Bolton match and the Fulham home performance was particularly poor so that would help account for the low attendance Saturday. It is disappointing though when the season's results have been so good, and I am enjoying it thus far anyway.

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dirtydingusmagee added 16:58 - Sep 18 thebeat spot on .
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airliner added 17:12 - Sep 18 He can't do right from wrong, let's just give Mick a break. I have criticised in the past but he is going the right way. Disagree or not he is working with what he has at his disposal.
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ChrisFelix added 17:15 - Sep 18 Have followed the club for more than 50 years & have had a season ticket for more than 15 years. The promises to spend money pre season prior to this summer. The fact that im 64 years of age & the nightmare of watching Different class Douglas have meant I have yet to visit PR this season
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runningout added 17:22 - Sep 18 Leeds away next time will be a decent test, and if we don't sit back on any lead, Winnable! We were aimless v Fulham at home and made them look good. Hope it's not similar story in games this season
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:37 - Sep 18 Swn98 what makes you believe a younger adventurous manager with a team playing exciting football would get relegated ,and Mick with his dull football and stubborn ways wont ?
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jas0999 added 17:38 - Sep 18 The club shot themselves in the foot. Evans arrogant and ill advised ticketing policy has cost the club dear. The new bundles is an after thought and although a step in the right direction, unfortunately the folk I know, who gave up their tickets, remain unconvinced about Mick. His style of play and negative approach remains a genuine concern. Despite five wins, only the Birmingham second half stands out. Yes, Millwall away saw us score four, but Millwall should have scored eight! The lack of entertainment remains evident.

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