Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg has warned that further mid-table finishes would prove "challenging" to owner Marcus Evans. The Tractor Boys have not finished higher than eighth in the npower Championship since Evans bought the club in 2007.
"We only survive because Marcus Evans can afford to put in £4m or £5m of his own money every year to keep the club afloat," Clegg told BBC Radio Suffolk.
"That is testing on anyone's pockets, however deep they are.
"The longer it takes us to get into the Premiership the harder it will become, particularly with the increase of parachute payments going from two years to four years.
"But Marcus is hugely committed to the club, continues to be very enthusiastic and is prepared to continue to support the manager."
