ONE Tuesday, in early November, Ipswich Town went in to Championship nosedive.

The team, beloved of so many, lost to Derby County at home. And then they lost to Barnsley and Hull.

Then there was the 4-1 capitulation at Carrow Road as Norwich City ruled the roost.

Defeats against Swansea and lowly Preston followed – the six-game losing streak gloom only broken by a bizarre snowy day December victory against Leicester, followed by a draw against Coventry.

And now, into 2011, another home defeat, this time to Nottingham Forest.

Nine games – 27 points on offer – and just a four in the bag.

Relegation form laid stark and bare – and that’s why Ipswich Town Football Club are staring at the abyss … and the possibility of first division football unless the rot isn’t halted soon.

The man at the centre of the ITFC winter storm is renowned football figure Roy Keane – a legend in so many eyes.

The Blues manager has worked tirelessly to improve the club’s fortunes and has had two difficult seasons in the hotseat.

He’s shipped out many players, he’s brought in many too.

He’s had the owner’s full support and funds. But still he hasn’t taken Ipswich Town anywhere near a return to the Premier League, now almost a 10-year dream away for fans.

The pressure has been relentless and Keane has often talked about his difficult position – and still retains a belief that he can bring about a revival of club fortunes.

But there’s just three points separating ITFC from the relegation places and we believe the time is now right for owner Marcus Evans and his chief executive, Simon Clegg, to ring the changes.

Determined Evans, who has grown to love the Portman Road club, has watched in despair as this ITFC league season has collapsed in on itself.

Cup distractions apart, these have been bitingly cold times for Ipswich Town fans

But each New Year brings with it the chance for renewal.

That chance is now - Come on You Blues!