Fabian Wilnis believes Ipswich Town's new-found mental toughness could help drive them up into the Premiership.

The Blues secured top spot in the Coca-Cola Championship over Christmas after Tuesday's 2-1 success against previous leaders Wigan.

That was enough to lift them two points clear until the next round of matches on Boxing Day, when Town visit Millwall.

And Wilnis told the Gazette: "I've got a feeling something special is happening at this club the same feeling I got when we last went up in 2000.

"If we keep playing like we did earlier in the week, we'll certainly go up. And I've got every faith we can maintain that level of performance."

The Dutch defender highlighted his side's unbeaten home record as a major cause for optimism.

And he added: "Portman Road is a fortress again. It's a special place for us and you could see that against Wigan."

Published Friday, December 24, 2004

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