FRUSTRATED Town star Fabian Wilnis makes no bones about it, writes Derek Davis.He believes Norwich City should not be top of the league, that they are not good enough to survive in the Premiership and, unless they get 15 new players, would be relegated from the top flight by Christmas.

FRUSTRATED Town star Fabian Wilnis makes no bones about it, writes Derek Davis.

He believes Norwich City should not be top of the league, that they are not good enough to survive in the Premiership and, unless they get 15 new players, would be relegated from the top flight by Christmas.

The Dutch defender was furious to be on the losing side against a team Ipswich should have beaten by half-time at Carrow Road yesterday. The Blues swarmed all over the Canaries for the first 45 minutes with Ian Westlake hitting a post and Darren Bent the crossbar. Matt Richards went extremely close after carving his way through a wobbly defence and only a good save denied Shefki Kuqi. But two goals from Malky Mackay on his 200th league appearance for City, and an unfortunate own goal by Georges Santos, ensured Norwich stay top of Division One.

Tommy Miller pulled one back from the penalty spot after substitute Richard Naylor was fouled as Town threatened a comeback but the late rally proved in vain.

Wilnis could not believe Ipswich did not have the game sewn up by the break and is amazed Norwich are top of the league. Having played for two seasons in the Premiership and UEFA Cup, the Town man does not think City will fare well should they win promotion. He said: "They are not good enough to be top of the league. They are hard-working guys and are honest enough but the way they played, especially first half, I don't think they are good enough.

"I know what it takes to be in the Premiership. They will not stay up. If they did go up they would need about 15 new players. The way Norwich played in the first half, then if they did go up they would come straight down by Christmas, with a record lowest points total.

"We were all over them, we were taking the Mick out of them in the first half. I could not believe we were not at least two up by half-time. But that is typical, when you are top of the league everything goes your way.

"Norwich are having all the luck and they are not even having to play well to win games now."

There was no doubting Town's commitment to the derby game and Wilnis admitted feeling that as an adopted son of Suffolk, losing cuts deep. He joined Ipswich from Dutch club De Graafschap for £200,000 midway through the 1998/99 season and is one of the club's longest-serving players. He said: "I have been here a long time and I know how much beating Norwich means to the fans, to the club. To me personally now, it hurts. I would rather see West Brom, or any other team, top of the league than Norwich.

"We were doubly determined to do well, everyone was geared up to do our best. It was a big game and it was not just about three points but pride as well. If they were a good side you would put your hands up and say fair enough they deserve it but they are not."

Wilnis' frustration was compounded when, despite causing City many problems, he was replaced by Pablo Counago. But he insisted it was not a repeat of the fall-out with George Burley that led to a break down in their relationship.

He said: "The manager wanted to bring Pablo on. I didn't necessarily agree with him on that as I felt I was playing well. It is one of these things and you have to accept it, although it doesn't mean I have to like it."

Drissa Diallo was shown a straight red for a professional foul. He will miss the trip to Wimbledon.