CLAUS Jensen believes quality, confidence and team spirit can keep Wanderers on course for an automatic promotion place.

The young Dane, who scored his first league goal in yesterday's 3-0 Reebok victory over Crystal Palace, says they have what it takes to finish in the top two.

Their 12th win of the season lifted Colin Todd's side to fifth in the table, just two points adrift of second-placed Birmingham on a weekend that saw the Division One promotion race thrown wide open - even runaway leaders Sunderland being pegged back when they could only draw at QPR.

The results offered Wanderers, unbeaten in 10 games and having conceded only three goals in their last nine, all the incentive they need to press on in their pursuit of an instant Premiership return.

"I don't see why we shouldn't be looking at the automatic places," Jensen said. "We have such good players here and we are playing well but for now we're just trying to do our best and keep confident."

The £1.6 million summer signing from Lyngby has struck up a close relationship on and off the park with fellow Danes Michael Johansen and Per Frandsen.

"It's only natural since we are all from the same country," he explained. "We see a lot of each other but the friendship is good throughout the club. They are a great set of lads here and it's easy to settle in when everyone gets along so well.

"That can help us on the field too. When things aren't going your way you perhaps want to fight a lot more for each other if you are good friends."

Johansen, who scored another spectacular goal to take his total for the season to six, delighted in the performance that left Palace still without a victory in Bolton but accepts that victory will not always come so comprehensively or so comfortably.

"The team played well all round," he said. "The passing and the movement was tremendous and we defended well when we needed to. We are always capable of playing that kind of game.

"But sometimes it's not that easy. We got an early goal and that always helps.

"After that we were always controlling the game."

Todd, who is pursuing his interest in a fourth Dane, Brondby's top scorer Bo Hansen, refuses to be distracted by the fortunes of other clubs.

"We are not looking at other people," the manager said. "I just know we are going in the right direction and playing in the right manner. That's all I'm bothered about at the moment.

"The performance yesterday was excellent. People might ask why we couldn't build on the 3-0 half-time lead but they (Palace) had a bit of pride to restore. They still didn't cause us any problems. Before the game we thought it might be one that tested us but the way we are playing we never got tested at all.

"You can't ask for anything more from the team. It's nice to see them in the confident mood they are in now."

Wanderers have been drawn away to Millwall in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after winning their third round replay 3-2 at Barnsley on Friday.

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