JIM Magilton admits being mystified by recent doom and gloom' hovering over Portman Road.

His Ipswich Town side have come in for a fair amount of stick - partly for results and partly for performances.

The Blues have had a tough couple of weeks, losing at Stoke, drawing at struggling Southampton and then being held to a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United at Portman Road last Tuesday.

Now Magilton has challenged his side to prove their doubters wrong in the last ten games of the season - starting with tonight's trip to Barnsley.

"There's been a lot of negativity recently, especially after our last game," said the Northern Irishman, who wants his players to turn the negativity on its head by mounting a strong finish and securing a top-six play-off spot.

"Sheffield United have got £12 million-worth of fire-power up front. They were a top-flight side last year and were only 90 minutes from staying in the Premier League.

"We got a point from a very tough game and, for me, it wasn't the end of the world. That point could make all the difference between finishing sixth and seventh.

"Criticism is part and parcel of the game and I appreciate that.

"But we're still very much in the mix so I don't really understand all the doom and gloom.

"There was so much despondency after last week - we're probably the victims of our own success in terms of expectation levels rising - but now we've got to use that negativity to our advantage.

"If some people feel we've lost an opportunity so be it, but there's nothing more satisfying than proving them wrong."