JIM Magilton had admitted it is crunch time for Ipswich Town.After slumping to their fifth league defeat in a row without scoring the Blues now take on relegation-threatened QPR next Saturday followed by Hull away and Southend at home in what is a big week.

By Derek Davis

JIM Magilton had admitted it is crunch time for Ipswich Town.

After slumping to their fifth league defeat in a row without scoring the Blues now take on relegation-threatened QPR next Saturday followed by Hull away and Southend at home in what is a big week.

Town could go a long way to collecting the 12 points they need to be safe, or spiral towards the third tier of English football for the first time in 50 years.

The Blues slipped to a demoralising 1-0 loss at Southampton, their sixth away defeat, since Boxing Day and have now gone more than ten hours without scoring on their travels.

Magilton is desperate to arrest the slide and accepts he needs to lift his players ahead of the QPR visit.

He said: “There are a few heads down in the dressing room but it is up to me and my staff to lift them. We have to regroup and come together for what promises to be a tough game against QPR.

“These next few games are very important to us and we have to show guts and belief.”

“It is vital that we walk in the door on Monday ready to get going again.

“It is my job to keep going and I will keep the players focused. We have to keep the players buoyant and keep believing.”