ANDY Marshall believes Millwall's mental strength will give them the edge over Ipswich in the hunt for promotion.

ANDY Marshall believes Millwall's mental strength will give them the edge over Ipswich in the hunt for promotion, writes Derek Davis.

Marshall, who is on loan to the London side from the Blues, has seen both teams at close quarters and feels while Ipswich have a depth of quality, their inability to bury teams will work against them.

He said: "Millwall are in a really great position to be in the play-offs and go up. Dennis (Wise) and Ray (Wilkins) have built a great spirit here.

"Ipswich, player for player, are possibly the better side but it is about winning games and Millwall go out and win games.

"Ipswich have got injuries and I don't know if Joe (Royle) can bring any players in. As for the play-offs, any number of teams can get in."

Marshall was given a mixed reception by Town fans before the whistle but loudly jeered whenever the ball went near him. He admitted: "It did feel a little bit strange, although I enjoyed it. My situation at this football club has been made clear and all I have done is gone out there and played football.

"It is not my fault that I'm not wanted by Ipswich Town.

"The fans have tried the same thing as Norwich fans did, but I have been there before and done it before. I have come through mentally strong again but the Millwall lads were great.

"The Ipswich lads were also fantastic to me and I have come away with a result."

Marshall is on the verge of a third year in the UEFA Cup in four seasons with Millwall, two FA Cup wins away from qualifying for Europe.

He said: "It is funny how it all works out. We will see what happens. The lads are doing really well at the moment, so this is a great opportunity for me.

"There is a real mental strength at Millwall. They work hard as a team and don't give anything away.

"That is what we have built results on, clean sheets and winning games 1-0. We have scored three and conceded one but if we were not strong then perhaps we would have wilted, and who knows what would have happened second half.

"We have the spirit, we have the endeavour and if we do what we have been doing in recent weeks we will go up to Tranmere and win."

The EADT broke the news to Marshall that Wise was keen to keep him after the initial two-month loan spell expired, with a possible permanent contract in the offing.

Marshall said: "That is very pleasing and I will have a chat to Dennis about that, but I'm sure we will come to some agreement. Playing football is what it is all about for me."