IPSWICH legend Mick Mills today assessed the First Division play-off chase and predicted: "Wolves could wobble all over again."Mills even offered the view that Town could gatecrash the top six even if they do not manage maximum points from their remaining three games.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH legend Mick Mills today assessed the First Division play-off chase and predicted: "Wolves could wobble all over again."

Mills even offered the view that Town could gatecrash the top six even if they do not manage maximum points from their remaining three games.

Last night's crushing 3-0 home defeat of Premiership-bound Portsmouth edged in-form Ipswich to within one point of sixth-placed Wolves.

Mills, the all-time Portman Road appearance record holder, said: "Ipswich took full advantage of playing on the Friday.

"They can sit back, knowing the pressure has switched elsewhere. Had they not won, it would have seemed like a long time to wait until Monday and their next game at Rotherham."

Mills was assistant boss at Birmingham for much of last season, when Midlands rivals Wolves collapsed late on to surrender their top two status.

He added: "They will be looking anxiously over the shoulders again. What happened last year was a huge loss to them.

"It was a really bad experience for them to lose out on automatic promotion after being in what looked a really strong position.

"Then, all of a sudden, they couldn't even negotiate the play-offs in a sensible manner. They suffered from the pressure they came under and they will remember that.

"It could happen again, although they have more experienced players this time with the likes of Denis Irwin and Paul Ince."

Mills believes the outcome will depend on which clubs handle the pressure best.

He added: "Ipswich are negotiating their position as well as they can expect. They're not going to win every game, but they've had a nice little run recently.

"They are putting the pressure on other teams and it is just a question of whether the others can handle it or not.

"I've always thought 75 points would be enough, but now I think Ipswich might make it with 74. I know they can get a maximum of 76, but perhaps 74 is more realistic.

"Wolves are definitely the most vulnerable of their rivals. If Ipswich are going to catch anyone, I think it's them."