Ipswich goalkeeper Andy Marshall has called for some fighting spirit ahead of tonight's crunch bottom-of-the-table clash with Blackburn Rovers.

Town's number one is desperate to get back onto the field at Ewood Park to help put right the Blue's recent run of defeats.

He said: "It'll be great to get out there. We've gone three games without a win now. We know we were poor against Liverpool and Southampton.

"In the Leeds game we played well but were unlucky. It was unfortunate that my mistake cost us the result.

"Losing that first goal made it really hard for us."

Marshall was quick to hold his hands up to that mistake and points out that he doesn't dwell on past performances.

He said: "I don't normally read newspapers, or at least the reports about our games. Any bad press about me I don't see, so any negative comments don't get to me.

"This way I don't put myself under any unnecessary pressure and can concentrate on my game. People in this country are too quick to criticise and judge after one just one game."

The former Norwich City custodian also takes great encouragement from the Portman Road faithful.

He added: "The fans have been brilliant towards me. Their support always gives me a great lift. I admit that I made an error in our last game, which really put us on the back-foot.

"We have to look forward now at the games ahead. We've looked at the games we think we can win and we'll do everything we can to get the three points.

"In the other games, and people know the ones we mean (Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool) we'll look to do ourselves proud.

"Any extra points we can pick up along the way will be a real bonus for us."

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Published Wednesday, March 13, 2002