FABIAN Wilnis today posed the question all Ipswich Town fans are asking of the players: “Are we up for it?”And the Dutch defender added: “Do we want promotion to the Premiership, or are we going to throw in the towel?”Wilnis conceded the penalty that enabled Wigan to bank three points at the JJB Stadium in the weekend's top-of-the-table Coca-Cola Championship showdown and condemn the Blues to a third consecutive defeat.

FABIAN Wilnis today posed the question all Ipswich Town fans are asking of the players: “Are we up for it?”

And the Dutch defender added: “Do we want promotion to the Premiership, or are we going to throw in the towel?”

Wilnis conceded the penalty that enabled Wigan to bank three points at the JJB Stadium in the weekend's top-of-the-table Coca-Cola Championship showdown and condemn the Blues to a third consecutive defeat.

Ipswich are now three points behind joint leaders Wigan and Sunderland - dropping from being firm favourites to win the biggest financial prize in English football to being outsiders.

Joe Royle's men may now need to go through their remaining ten matches undefeated to be sure of an automatic promotion place.

The experienced Wilnis knows that something has to happen now to stop the rot, and put Ipswich back on the right track.

He said: “I still believe we can do it, and the rest of the team still believe we can do it.

“After three consecutive defeats we must find something extra. We did not really look hungry enough at Wigan.

“Are we up for it or are we going to throw in the towel?”

Wilnis did not believe it was a penalty after he challenged Nathan Ellington in the 42nd minute.

The defender, who enjoyed the highs of Ipswich's promotion via the play-offs in 2000 under George Burley's management, said: “When I heard the whistle I expected a free-kick to be given our way.

“If it had been 0-0 at the interval the second half could have been a different game.

“I am sure I was outside the area when the challenge was made and I thought the referee was inconsistent all through.”

Wilnis revealed what it is like to play against 22-goal Ellington and his front partner Jason Roberts.

“They push you, pull you and grab you,” he said. “They played a physical game and worked their socks off giving a good example of what a dangerous partnership they can be.

“Wigan were the better team and we did not create enough chances. We are not playing well and now desperately need to go ahead in a game.

“When we concede a goal our heads are going down and we have lost our edge.

“It doesn't matter who scores, but we need something special from someone against Nottingham Forest on Saturday to get the team going again.

“We may not have had the best of luck in recent weeks, but at the end of the day you create your own luck.”

Ipswich will have Jason De Vos and James Scowcroft back from suspension on Saturday, while leading scorer Shefki Kuqi made an earlier than expected comeback from injury and his 90 minutes of action will have sharpened him up for the Forest game.

On-loan Daniel Karbassiyoon was overlooked for the left back role with Matt Richards coming in to play well.

Karbassiyoon is due to return to Arsenal later this month.