WHILE Ipswich's very own witch doctor gets ready to help lift the curse on the southern dressing room in Cardiff - Ipswich Town fans are casting their own spell.

By Victoria Knowles

WHILE Ipswich's very own witch doctor gets ready to help lift the curse on the southern dressing room in Cardiff - Ipswich Town fans are casting their own spell.

And if hope and optimism had mystical powers Ipswich would be sure to stay up.

As the crowds gathered to meet the coaches early today to take them to Anfield the mood was up beat and while all thoughts were on town's performance there was still room for some support for Birmingham City.

A sea of blue covered much of Portman Road with hats, scarves and shirts all out on parade in support of the town.

It may have only been 7.30am but already the party atmosphere was building and fans were set to make this a great day.

"I think Ipswich can do it today and we are all really hopeful," said 11-year-olds, John and Sam Bennett, of Ipswich.

Along with their friend Alex Farmer the boys are also hoping to help lift the curse on the southern dressing room and help keep their arch rivals in the Nationwide League.

"We will do all we can to help keep the Canaries down and hopefully Ipswich will stay up," they added.

Julia Farmer, of Ipswich, said town were hanging on in with a chance.

"There is still hope and we will be behind them all the way today. Cheering them on and pulling them through. But we really have to rely on Sunderland for a more realistic chance of staying up," she said.

Most fans said they were going to enjoy the day no matter what the result.

"I am still hoping that we can pull this off. But it will be a good day and we will still love the town no matter what happens," said 28-year-old Sarah Parker from Lowestoft.

"If Norwich do go up they will be coming straight back down again," added Nick Thomas, 29, from Beccles.

Ben Green, of Ipswich, is celebrating his 11th birthday today and said he would be giving Birmingham his full support tomorrow and just hoped Norwich did not make it up to the Premiership. He was determined that Ipswich would win.

"We are going to win today and we are going to stay up. I will be supporting Birmingham tomorrow and I do not want Norwich to come up. They should stay in the Nationwide League where they belong."