Maybe the belief is coming back. The whole atmosphere seems to be fans waiting for the annual c**k up.
It has happened so many times before that people have stopped believing the team will do it, and are just resigned to the fact it will all end in disaster and failure again.
Poor performances will only make this feeling worse and that the inevitable is about to happen. As long as the team keep scrapping out wins then eventually the belief, support and atmosphere will return.
When this happens, hopefuly the attendances and atmosphere will return and team performances improve.