Tommy Smith wants to finish the season with a flourish and help Town to bank maximum points from their two remaining fixtures.

After tomorrow’s home clash with a Birmingham side three points and four places better off, Mick McCarthy’s men bring down the curtain on the current campaign with a trip to face a Burnley outfit currently two places and points below them.

Smith, 23, said: “We want to finish strongly. I think it’s important to carry the momentum right through to the end. That way we will be leaving the fans in a positive, rather than negative, frame of mind.

“We want to take six points from the games against Birmingham and Burnley if we possibly can.”

Town are six points clear of the Championship drop zone and Smith was frank in his assessment of the situation that cost Paul Jewell his job back in October.

He added: “Before the new gaffer came in we were in a very bad position. It was looking a bit gloomy. We’ve managed to turn our form around but we still have to finish the job off now.

“We’ve all worked very hard — staff and players alike — to get us into the position we’re in now. In previous years we’d be well safe by now. It’s testament to the other teams who haven’t given up as well.

“It shows that we’ve got to keep battling right through until we are mathematically safe. It will be a great relief when that happens.

“We’re not nervous going into the Birmingham game. It’s more about the fact that we need a result. We’re confident at home because we’ve been playing relatively well and picking up points so there’s no reason for us to be nervous.”

Photo: Action Images

Morgan added 06:06 - Apr 26 Buzzing for tomorrow and seein the blues do the double over B'ham. 3 points and an end of season party!
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bluelady added 07:33 - Apr 26 One of the only games this season I will miss, gutted! Will he keeping tabs from my holiday location though!
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oscarwhiting added 07:39 - Apr 26 Good luck to te lads, I'm sure safety will be confirmed tommarow COYB!
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bluefeast added 07:39 - Apr 26 Tough game but personally I see a draw .
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Tractorog added 09:28 - Apr 26 A draw is enough. A win would be fantastic. I hope we score first & early then the PR nerves will not have a chance to infect the team, though to be fair I don't think the crowd lack confidence any more. We used to say "in [insert managers name here] we trust", but Mick has got us all believing it.
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itsonlyme added 09:36 - Apr 26 A good performance and 3 points - what a way to sign off at PR
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theobald1985 added 09:57 - Apr 26 gets me exited for the future looking at this photo. 3 excellent young players who will only get better. the future could be bright
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BigginBlue added 10:10 - Apr 26 Just think, if we pick up 6 points there's a very real chance we could finish tenth and our best finish since Jim Magiltons first season. Madness considering our start!
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J45 added 11:36 - Apr 26 Hopefully a good win tomorrow would be a nice way to end the season at PR. In terms of Smith we have to keep hold of him and the rest of the back four in the summer, I really think that is crucial to our succsess next season. I can see Tommy Smith being a future club captain and hopefully he will be here a long time.
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yun added 11:39 - Apr 26 Brum are currently just behind us on form in the last 6 (and only Charlton and Bolton are better. Ridiculous, no?), so it won't be easy. Any points will make us safe and I will finally be able to relax. Here's hoping for an inspiring final home game. (Form table: http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-championship/2012-2013/form- )
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shefkuqi32 added 12:15 - Apr 26 A few solid signings and we have every chance next season. In this division its all about the manager not necessarily the best players as this season has proved.
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