BLUES boss Joe Royle believes £2m would go a long way to securing promotion for Ipswich now they have got themselves in pole-position with a quarter of the season gone.

BLUES boss Joe Royle believes £2m would go a long way to securing promotion for Ipswich now they have got themselves in pole-position with a quarter of the season gone.

Cash to consolidate his thin squad, further weakened by not keeping on Tony Dinning, would make all the difference.

Royle said: "Everyone is in the same boat, we are all working on a shoestring with 15 or 16 players.

"Anyone who can spend £2 million in this division should go up.

"There is not the highest quality in this division that I have ever seen but the spending power is very powerful if you have it.

"You saw last season with Norwich and West Brom who had it what the difference was and anyone who can make that difference this season can go up."

Royle felt some sympathy with his old pal Peter Reid, but not enough to not enjoy being level top with Wigan.

He said: "They were a bit unfortunate how they lost with an own goal but we just about shaded it.

"I feel for Peter but that happens when you are in the position they are. But we will take the three points and go back to level top."

Royle was still not happy with his three front men, but the tactic paid off in the end as they won their second away game of the season.

He said: "I was a bit disappointed with the contribution of our forwards, yet I always am.

"We had to win here as our away from has not been good. If we are going to challenge to stay in the top two we needed to be better away from home.

"The defence played very well and the young keeper has made a terrific save from the penalty. The players were adamant it was not a penalty at half-time but television shows it was – so players lie.

"Lewis did fine but when Kelvin is right he will play and the offer for Lewis to go out on loan still stands for him to have experience. But no more than a loan because he has a bright future. Their keeper did very well too and he is very competent."

Royle did praise youngsters Dean Bowditch and Price, who made important contributions

He said: "Dean's quality is there for all to see. He drifts in and out games and gives contributions as he did and as he gets older so he will be able to run games."

Town will enjoy a 12-day rest now with their next game at home to Burnley on October 16.