After the debacle at Layer Road on Saturday, Jim Magilton said we needed five wins out of five to make the top six.

Realistically I think we still had one 'Get Out of Jail Free' card – a draw – which we could have dealt in a tricky encounter away at Wolves or Preston, or at home to Hull or Norwich. But we surrendered it instantly, in our easiest game of the run-in, against Cardiff at home on Wednesday night.

There is no longer a margin of error. We have to not only win our two remaining home matches but also at Molineux and Deepdale.

It would be a tall order for a prize fighter at their peak, never mind the punch-drunk journeyman with his gum shield hanging out, which Town resemble at the moment.

It is easy to criticise a team going through a sticky patch for not having enough passion and desire and Town have certainly lacked these attributes in their last two games.

But the overriding factor for me on Wednesday was the stench of sheer medicority emanating from the boys in Blue.

With Jon Walters, Pablo Counago and David Norris sidelined, which top-six side would swap any of their players for one of ours?

Alan Lee? When he is in form and confident maybe, but at the moment his chin is resting firmly on his chest.

Owen Garvan? If he's given space he can destroy teams but club's have realised, like they did with Magilton, if you stop him you stop Ipswich.

Danny Haynes? Despite his claims that he is more than just an impact player off the bench, he has proven otherwise with his recent starts.

The rest of the team are just plain average.

Thank goodness Counago is back for the derby. The Spaniard has been out of form, like the rest of his team mates, since Christmas but without him we've missed a vital link between the midfield and strikers.

Anyone who has read the words emanating from Carrow Road this week will know the Canaries are champing at the bit about Sunday.

After almost definitely securing survival, this is their players' last chance to redeem themselves in their fans' eyes after a disappointing season.

For Town, every game is now like a last round.

We're down on points, so we've got to come out throwing big punches – only knockouts will do now.