MATT Holland has lost none of his love for Ipswich Town, and he confirmed today his relief at two recent wins over QPR and Hull City.“They were must-win matches,” said the midfielder, who led Town to the Premiership in 2000 and into Europe the following season.

By Elvin King

MATT Holland has lost none of his love for Ipswich Town, and he confirmed today his relief at two recent wins over QPR and Hull City.

“They were must-win matches,” said the midfielder, who led Town to the Premiership in 2000 and into Europe the following season.

With his current club Charlton having a weekend break, Holland was at Portman Road on Saturday to watch Southend end Ipswich's mini revival with a shock 2-0 Championship victory.

“Beating Rangers and Hull were very important results,” added Holland.

“I am sure Ipswich are safe now, but it was getting a bit worrying.

“Maybe they can use the rest of this season to build for 2007/08.

“I feel sorry for my former team mate Jim Magilton. He is not getting the results he deserves.

“He has brought in some good young players, and Ipswich are moving in the right direction under his leadership.

“With young players you do suffer from inconsistency and there are always ups and downs. Ipswich were lacklustre in the first half, but improved after the interval.

“They created chances, and if one had gone in it would have given them a boost. It was a sad end to a good week.”

Owen Garvan felt Town may have taken the game too lightly.

The 19-year-old midfielder said: “There was no way we were going to roll Southend over as perhaps some people expected. Derby games are not like that, and they are fighting for their lives.

“We let ourselves down. Our penalty claim when Alan (Lee) went down was 50-50 and it was up to the referee.

“We did not get the ball down and play in the first half, and this gave us too much to make up in the second.”

Alex Bruce confirmed he will be fit to face Preston tomorrow saying: “I took a cut above my right eye and had two stitches.

“Perhaps tiredness crept in, but our display was not acceptable and the manager made it clear that we must do better than that.”

Francis Jeffers suspects he has a torn hamstring. “I knew it was quite bad and I think it is a tear. I am gutted because I was enjoying my football.”