Town goalkeeper Dean Gerken believes the hectic Christmas-New Year fixture programme will play a huge part in determining whether Town can mount a promotion challenge this season.

Following an impressive run of just three defeats in 16 league games, Mick McCarthy’s men are a mere three points adrift of the play-off places going into Saturday’s home clash with a Watford side who have failed to win any of their last nine games.

Gerken believes Town’s upcoming fixtures provide the ideal opportunity to strengthen their position in the Championship, even if it means tackling four league games in quick succession.

Then, having tackled Watford, Doncaster, Bournemouth and Charlton, the FA Cup visit of Preston on January 4th will complete a busy schedule of five games in 14 days.

He said: “It’s tough and you have to get into the swing of it. All you can do, pretty much, is take every game as it comes because they come round so quickly.

“It’s a good time and it really will show where we’re at. This could be a defining part of our season. We’ve got some fixtures that we feel are alright for us. Hopefully, come early January, we’ll look back and feel we have done ourselves justice over the Christmas period.”

Gerken is delighted to have played his part in Town’s undoubted progress this season. They currently have 30 points from 20 games and sit in 10th place, whereas at the same stage last season they only had 20 points to their name and were fifth bottom of the table.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper added: “We’ve always known what we are about and what we can do. It’s just being consistent with it and we seem to be hitting quite a consistent patch at the moment.

“Everyone is doing his job well and we are digging out results. I’m really happy with the way it is going and the main thing is the way we are showing other people what we are all about.

“I’m really enjoying the fact that I don’t have to worry about looking at the league table, like I used to do a lot of the time with my other clubs. I feel a sense of achievement and I know we can push on to do even better.

“There’s a great bond between the lads and it has always been the case. It must be frustrating for the gaffer when we haven’t had the results we have deserved in some games.

“But now we are getting the results on a consistent basis and we’re showing everyone else what we already knew, which is what we want to continue to do.

“But this is the Championship and just about anything can happen. I can see teams who are above and below us now who could be changing places later in the season.

“In this league the current high-fliers could end up in a relegation battle. You just never know. We just have to concentrate on what we are doing because if you get enough points on the board it doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing.”

Photo: Action Images

HKBlue added 06:29 - Dec 20 Don't know if I speak for many but I sensed not many were real happy when he arrived, but admittedly he's not been given no where near as much credit for some of the performances he has put in so far this season when he came into the team. Thought he would of been sitting for seconds with Loachy starting this season as our solid number 1, but even the moaners on here can't complain! Gerky is real class. COYB

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riley26 added 06:48 - Dec 20 Thought he was a solid acquisition, great back up and potential to become number one, he grabbed thy opportunity with both hands, excuse the pun. We love hometown players and fans of the team, as Loachy is, but results over sentiment. Our keeper situation for the past 9/10 years has been laughable, well not for us...
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JCBLUE added 07:45 - Dec 20 The next four games will be 'season defining" and with SEB now on board we clearly intend to make a serious push for promotion. Exciting times ahead. How clever was MM extending Jack Marriott's contract before signing SEB. Decisive and covers every angle, great to have a good manager again!
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Mr_Evans added 08:34 - Dec 20 Gerken has impressed me; a good communicator and shot stopper. He also has by far has the best beard at the club!! JCBLUE - That's very true about the Marriott contract tie up! Show the young player is wanted and valued, the same goes with Cresswell's extension however I wonder if there's any release clauses in it. We've grabbed a fair few points recently without playing particularly well, that's a good sign. With 12 possible points over Christmas I feel 6-9 points will be a good job.

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wkj added 08:39 - Dec 20 Gerken has done a fine job indeed. The one part of his game I would love to see improved is his kicking.
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wkj added 08:44 - Dec 20 Mind you, Top props for the man for looking like a well groomed lion.
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tallguy6767 added 09:36 - Dec 20 With 2 long away trips after Watford lets start Xmas with a bang on Saturday and really put a marker down for our intentions for the rest of the season! C.O.Y.B.!!!!!
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Lathers added 12:26 - Dec 20 2 home wins and 2 away draws would do us just fine - 8 points anyway, however we get them. Really want us to put the Watford Hoodoo to bed on Saturday.
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Turkishblue added 13:07 - Dec 20 Had Ton Balik sandvic for lunch, took the Gerken out as we will be needing them for the holiday games! Looking forward to my trip back to Blighty for all the Christmas games, as Lathers says 8 points would be a good return
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ericclacton added 13:15 - Dec 20 Heres one for mother.
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Michael11 added 13:44 - Dec 20 I think he's right. We've got Watford, Doncaster, Bournemouth and Charlton, which if you're a top 6 side should be classed as very winnable games. If we can take 10 points then we should be in a really good position to push on into the new year. COME ON YOU BLUES!!
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