Luke Chambers is enjoying a successful central defensive partnership with Tommy Smith and predicts a tremendous future ahead for his younger team-mate.

Chambers, 27, said: “Tommy and I thought it could flourish during the early part of the season but for one reason or another there were a lot of mistakes that were made and we were conceding goals.

“The previous manager decided to bring Danny [Higginbotham] in and he did really well when he played. Tommy had to sit on the sidelines and I think that has brought him back as a better player.

“He’s still a young lad at 22 and for me he’s got a great future in the game. If he continues to play the way he has been playing I don’t think there’s any limit to where he can go.”

It is not just New Zealand international Smith’s displays that have impressed Chambers but his ability to talk to and organise those around him in the heat of battle.

Chambers added: “Tommy is really growing into the role. His international commitments and the fact he is captaining his country is a massive thing for a player of his calibre.

“He’s never going to shy away from responsibility, talking and organising things, and I have to say I think we’ve been tremendous in [recent] games. To get a clean sheet against Millwall was even more of a bonus.”

The Kettering-born centre-half feels Town fans are yet to see him at his best since his summer switch from Nottingham Forest: “I think there’s more to come from me but in the last few games I feel I’ve been getting back to my old self again.

“It’s always difficult when you come to a new club and results are not going the way you would like. All I can do is keep focusing on my performances and hope the team pick up results.”

Photo: Action Images

bigolconnor added 06:50 - Dec 20 Is chambers forgetting we lost to Leeds and that the beginning of the season was not just bad but awful. Yes the back for played well in the three wins, but there were many many missed chances by the opposition. He reads a little like a tabloid psychic. A scatter gun mass of positive schpiel. And I should hope there is a lot more to come from him given the amount of "I can be the captain" rubbish he was talking at the beginning of the season. Having said that...there has been some very good reasons to be cheerful recently.

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Rentaghost added 07:37 - Dec 20 He is a young lad says Chambers. You are only 27 not 67.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:51 - Dec 20 I thought tommy smith was a great prospect when i first saw him, but injury a loss of form, playing in a side getting murdered far too often , did nt help him, now that potential is showing again. And as for chambers i do expect more from him....COYB
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yun added 08:26 - Dec 20 Only 22? The lad is still growing! He's getting good experience with his international forays and seems to be coming along a bit under MM. Only wish we had an experienced commander in the mould of Mowbray to mentor him.
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BergholtBru added 08:42 - Dec 20 some ignorant people have been quick to criticise him this season, center half is a position you grow into with age.
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brian_a_mul added 09:07 - Dec 20 Yun, Mick McCarthy was a pretty serious commander himself in his hayday captaining his clubs and country! I hope this makes your wish come true. MM was a battled hardened CB in his day, very vocal and a great organiser. At International level he played with footballing legends like Ronnie Whelan, Paul McGrath, Liam Brady, Mick Moran, Pakie Bonner etc.. IMO Mick is a better manager then Mowbray and played to the highest level. Smith, Chambers and the whole defense have improved immensely under Mick! In fairness what more do you want??!

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MattinLondon added 09:48 - Dec 20 One of the reasons why we were conceding too many was that Edwards was played at right-back and that Cresswell was a bit low on form. A bit more organisation and confidence and we may well have a decent back four
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Michael11 added 10:04 - Dec 20 I like Carlos Edwards, but i can't for the life of me see why he is captain. Luke Chambers comes out and does interviews all week and seems to be more of a natural leader too. Either way, just praying we get 3 points on saturday!
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Wickets added 10:05 - Dec 20 Yes i tend to agree with Mattin that a lot of our defensive problems where that we where simply failing to stop crosses coming into our box,i remember at Hull they crossed the ball into our box about 30 times before they scored!! but it's not just the full backs job to close the attackers down though,collective responsability to defend is the key!
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Kesgraveblue57 added 10:07 - Dec 20 Sorry I'm never happy about players who praise others in this way it's patronising, just do the job you are paid for Chambers ! By the way I think Smith is a better than your good self
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Metcalfe added 10:09 - Dec 20 Ive said this time and time again, Tommy is the next Pique!! He is proven at international level and has shown the world of football what he's made of. I honestly think that Messi would struggle against Tommy because of his undenyable pace and strength!! lets just hope we keep him and dont get any big ofers for him from barca or man city!! he reminds me of a mixture of Dean Whitehead and Diago Maradona in there hayedays!!! next Tim Cahill

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Kesgraveblue57 added 11:25 - Dec 20 Metcalf you are so so funny I take it have finish this term at school have a great christmas
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yun added 11:35 - Dec 20 @brian_a_mul True that Mick was a commanding centre-back and that the defence has improved, but we could still be better all the way through the spine of the team and what we have in reserve does not inspire. Come January, I would be surprised if the manager didn't try to bring in some experience at CB.
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Pique added 11:47 - Dec 20 Metcalfe: I'm the next Pique.
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Seasider added 11:50 - Dec 20 Just watched highlights on Ipswich Player of 6-0 tonking of Bristol City under JM.Bradley Orr was responsible for our 2nd goal,then gave away pen and got sent off. Seem to remember he suffered similar fate recently whilst playing for us against Leicester as far as giving goals away being responsible for at least 2 goals in this drubbing. Suggest may be time for Elliot Hewitt,although needs to be kept on I feel as can also do a decent job in midfield where he started his careeer.

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krizz00 added 12:54 - Dec 20 Kesgraveblue57 ... and you've completely missed the point of Metcalf's post.
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brian_a_mul added 13:51 - Dec 20 @ Yun I agree that MM will try to bring in a permanent CB. With Higgingbotham on loan and Smith likely to be jet setting we will definitely need some re-inforcements in that area. It will be interesting to see what happens with Moshni, he hasnt really been given much opportunity so its hard to see if he an answer for our CB cover. Also the new lad, Tyrone, could be interesting. Look forward to seeing him in action in the new year! In terms of reserves its pretty light. Lawrence is a prospect with Marriot, Winter and Timlin (in the youths) will hopefully get some reserve action. Unfortunately Wight has been very quite so far this season. I was really hoping he would be making a break through in the senior squad.

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Bergholtblue added 14:08 - Dec 20 When using the possessive case of 'they' used as an attributive adjective, before a noun: it is THEIR, get it right people! The spelling and grammer on this site is orfall
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Wickets added 14:16 - Dec 20 Is it 1-4-2013 !
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RaymondovicBlue added 17:39 - Dec 20 To be fair to Yun, I THINK he was meaning that Tommy would benefit from a mentor ON THE PITCH not suggesting we don't have a good defensive manager in MM. Chambers was supposed to be that man - but in reality Tommy is carrying him along not the other way round
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bigolconnor added 06:15 - Dec 21 Thanks guys.
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