Town’s recent, albeit brief, stint in the play-off places has whetted the players’ appetite to ensure they are back there come the end of the season.

Skipper Carlos Edwards confirmed: “We’ve had that little taste, that little appetiser, and now we have to go for the main course and claim that spot, which I don’t think is beyond us.

“I’m hoping that we are there come the end of the season. That’s my aim and it was always our aim before we even kicked the first ball of pre-season.

“When everyone is pulling in the right direction, everyone is getting seven or eight out of 10, I think we are a capable team, more than just a solid, hard to beat unit. I don’t see why we can’t be one of those teams who make the opposition think ‘It’s going to be a fight’ when they play us.

“I’m hoping that sooner rather than later we can be that unit again. We know the fans want to see some nice football and more so they want to see the back of the net shaking. We are gradually getting there with the gaffer and also TC, who is wonderful at what he does. The way they go about everything is second to none to be fair.”

Despite the fact that he is no longer a regular choice, Edwards is full of praise for manager Mick McCarthy and the job he has done during almost 15 months at the helm.

He added: “I think he’s done great to be fair. In the five years I’ve been here I don’t think I’ve been in the top six before or maybe even the top 10. Everyone has their different ways of coaching and when he came in he made sure we were a solid unit and we stopped conceding the goals we used to concede.

“We still concede a few — the last-minute goals are a real kick in the face — but not as many as before, especially in the previous two seasons. He has done really well and given a bit more time things will progress even better.”

Meanwhile, Edwards is still undecided about his retirement from international football, something that has been on his mind for some time now.

He said: “I know I have a lot to offer the kids who are coming through but it’s a question of how much you can do and what part you can play with the manager. I need to have a word with him to see what his plans are before I make a decision.

“I think there is a friendly in March and then they have a game against Argentina before the World Cup in early June. I really don’t know what is going to happen. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Photo: Action Images

Gooders7592 added 08:58 - Jan 24 All it takes is a run of form, most teams can still make them.
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calypso_blue added 11:32 - Jan 24 "In the five years I don't think we've been in the top six before or maybe even the top 10."
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Kentish_Tractor added 13:23 - Jan 24 Saying the playoffs aren't beyond us is like saying Champions League qualification isn't beyond Manchester United. You can't rule it out completely, but changes in key positions are desperately needed to ensure it happens. We need to acquire a Championship Juan Mata and a right back or its mid-table dead certainty, as much as any of the players or staff say otherwise.

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