Matt Holland believes Ipswich Town can still defy the odds and secure another season in the Premiership.

The Blues' chances of avoiding relegation were dealt a hammer-blow by Saturday's 4-1 setback at rivals Bolton.

Town are rooted third from bottom, two points adrift of safety and fellow strugglers Blackburn.

And to add insult to injury, their remaining four fixtures are against Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Trying to put a brave face on his side's latest setback, Holland said: "We've got some tough fixtures left but we've got to stay positive.

"We can only play better than we did at the weekend and we've got to aim for two wins from those four games.

"Unfortunately, we're also relying on other teams to do us a favour and that's a position we desperately wanted to avoid."

Of the shambles at Bolton, Holland said: "It was the most embarrassing result of my career. They had four shots and scored four times. After half-time we were just playing for pride.

"I felt really sorry for our loyal fans. They were magnificent but we really let them down."

Mark Venus, a half-time substitute at The Reebok Stadium along with Finidi George and Sixto Peralta, should be fit for the trip to Arsenal.

The centre-half was hauled off at the interval with a niggling knee injury, but has just under a fortnight to recover before the trip Highbury on April 21.

Chris Makin, sidelined since the home clash with Aston Villa, also has a chance of returning if he can shrug off an ankle injury.

Matteo Sereni (thigh) and Jermaine Wright (groin) are bigger fitness doubts.

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Published Wednesday, April 10, 2002