Town escaping relegation would be a miracle - Fry

Ipswich were left 19th in the table after losing 1-0 by Arsenal on 27 December

English football veteran Barry Fry has said "it will be a miracle" if Ipswich Town can avoid relegation from the Premier League.

However, the 79-year-old stressed the Tractor Boys still had a fighting chance of survival and said he was not among those writing the side off.

Fry, who is director of football at Peterborough United, heaped praise on Town boss Kieran McKenna for creating a "great spirit" in the dressing room.

He told BBC Local Radio: "He's worked miracle after miracle and I'm not one of those people that'll say they're going down."

Ipswich were 19th in the table on Sunday morning ahead of their clash with Chelsea on Monday.

Fry said the Portman Road side had played "very, very well in some games" but not won the points they deserved.

Fry hoped ex-Peterborough United players Jack Taylor and Sammie Szmodics can transform Ipswich's fortunes on the pitch

One of Town's more painful defeats came when Bournemouth struck twice in the dying moments to snatch the three points from under their nose.

Fry hoped ex-Posh players Jack Taylor and Sammie Szmodics, who was top scorer in the Championship last season, could be key in transforming Ipswich's fortunes.

"I'm hoping and praying they can help get Ipswich up the table and escape relegation," Fry said.

"But as well as it being a miracle them getting promotions the last two years back-to-back, it will be a miracle to stay in the Premier League, because that is different altogether than any other league.

"I wish them the best but I do fancy them - I think they've been very unlucky not to have a lot more points than what they've got now."

'Horrendous injuries'

Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Fry also said he had expected more from Town's East Anglian rivals Norwich City this season.

The stuttering Canaries have struggled to string consistent results together and were 12th in the Championship table before Sunday's match at home to QPR.

"I think that's what the Championship is all about - it's very, very difficult and you can't predict anything in there," Fry said.

Peterborough United made the play-offs last season but have been unable to replicate their winning form this campaign

Referencing his own side's lacklustre campaign in League One, Fry added Peterborough United had been hampered by "horrendous injuries".

It followed summer signing Rio Adebisi being ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Fry said: "It's been a disaster, [I am] not making excuses, but these are the facts."