Cole Skuse is hoping he can play his part in extending Town’s six-game unbeaten run, which would undoubtedly help the sale of season tickets for the 2017/18 campaign.

Some supporters have made no secret of their intention to not renew, while others are sitting on the fence before finally making up their minds, but as manager Mick McCarthy has been quick to acknowledge the main factor in the decision process will be the team’s performances.

Skuse said: “The performances of late have been more positive and I think the fans would agree with that. Against Norwich last week you could feel there was a real sense of positivity both before and after the game. I think we were unlucky not to win the game really.

“The recent performances have given everyone a boost and a bit of a lift, and to keep ourselves on track we need to keep putting in the work on the training ground and, of course, on match days. Hopefully we’ll be ending the season on a positive note.

“We can all understand the fans’ disappointment this season because we feel it ourselves. You can never knock us for not trying but no one would disagree that some performances have been poor. We go home to our families and friends and feel it as well, the disappointment.

“I can assure you we don’t go home saying ‘Why are they booing us?’ and thinking we’re brilliant. We’re telling ourselves ‘That was shocking’ and we understand only too well how the fans are going to be disappointed.

“We’re not pretending everything has been good but recently we’ve improved and our aim is to finish the season on a high.”

Skuse has only missed three league games this season, most recently because of an Achilles injury, and he admits it was a boost to be recalled straight away to manager Mick McCarthy’s starting line-up once he had been able to prove his fitness.

He added: “I’m not the one who picks the team. That’s down to the gaffer and he’s put me in, which is a nice vote of confidence. The Achilles is fine and I’m keeping on top of it, looking after it, which you have to do when you get to the ripe old age of 30.

“I’ve never been complacent at any stage of my career. I know it’s been brought up in the press before with articles saying that certain players here play most games but I’ve never thought to myself that I’d play every week. I don’t think that’s ever the case in anyone’s mind.”

Competition for midfield places is stronger than ever after the signing in January of loan duo Emyr Huws and Toumani Diagouraga, who arrived from Championship rivals Cardiff and Leeds respectively to play a part in Town’s upturn in fortune.

Skuse said: “They are both very good players. I’ve played against them a lot in my career, probably Huwsy more than Toums. They are great footballers — Huwsy has chipped in with a couple of goals as well, while Toums is a really experienced head and has been around the league a little while.

“I’ve been around the game and I’m old enough — plus the gaffer said it as well — to know that we were in need of bodies to come in during the transfer window and play.

“They have done very, very well and as you get older you get less insecure about new faces arriving. In fact, you relish it really. It’s been good for us because the new lads arrived when we needed them and they’ve all done well for us.

“We’ve also got Luke Hyam coming back and there’s Grant Ward, Kevin Bru, Teddy Bishop, Andre Dozzell and Kundai Benyu as well.

“Bryan (Klug) has been to watch Kundai a few times during his loan spell at Aldershot and says he is doing very well.

“With the extra numbers the standard of training has improved over the last few weeks and you can see the results of that in the games when improved performances have seen us gain a lot of useful points.”

But despite several younger players emerging to challenge for senior places, Skuse was keen to point out that the most recent Old v Young game in training on Monday went the way of the more experienced players.

He laughed: “We beat the young lads and one of them picked up the yellow bib. I’m not going to name him but I felt sorry for Kieffer Moore!”

Photo: TWTD

therein61 added 07:21 - Mar 7 We could finish on a high and you can make the biggest contribution by sitting on the bench!!! and watch how football should be played by positive footballers.
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TR11BLU added 08:06 - Mar 7 @therein61 I would argue he should be on the bench at the back of the mini bus....outta this club.
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martin587 added 08:32 - Mar 7 We should have started off on a high,and finished even higher.A pointless comment from a pointless player.!!
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Pilgrimblue added 08:51 - Mar 7 He'll need some drugs to achieve that
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walberblue added 10:03 - Mar 7 the biggest factor regarding season ticket renewal is whether dino mick is staying or not. we all know that he's staying but ITFC haven't got the guts to announce it because you lose out on the anti mick fans. how about some honesty from ITFC and MM.if you're staying announce it now and take the consequences. or is it only about money now?
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Lightningboy added 10:31 - Mar 7 Skuse getting straight back in to the line up no matter how well his replacements have played..decisions like this really make my blood boil. This is why I want McCarthy gone - far too much loyalty to below average players not pulling their weight & no having confidence in giving other players a run in the team..what incentive is there to players to go out and play well for the reserves if they know they've got to wait for the like of Skuse to get injured before getting a chance? So wrong on so many levels.

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battyblue added 10:42 - Mar 7 Unlucky not to win against Norwich are you having a laugh with one shot on target yerr right and think we played better ....deluded like McCarthy.
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RRanger added 11:16 - Mar 7 As Far as I'm concerned Skuse has been our best player in the last 2 matches. It appears that Skuse = dull,unadventurous, boring, poor is the default position of too many posters on this site who once they have decided something will never change their opinion. It would be great if people could be more objective and actually based their opinions on actual recent performance and form.

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Pilgrimblue added 16:07 - Mar 7 Well RR based on last two performances nothing has changed. He still too far back to contribute to many if any attacking play. He still looks to pass to nearest teammate (even one a yard away on Sat) and never looks up and moves forward into space. Yes he had an ok game and broke many of their attacks down but that's all he does and that was one of his best games of late. Trouble is that he gets on team sheet first and therefore doesn't allow MM to think any different. The defence are good enough but our midfield with Skuse in leaves the opposition with too much room. Woods had so much time and looked good as he moved up and down. If only Skuse had the legs! Whereas the trio at Villa showed how but sadly MM can't think of keeping a winning team!

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Gcon added 16:27 - Mar 7 Well said, RRanger. I am afraid that this excellent site has become a hotbed for the haters and the negative. This has sadly created an environment where those of a more positive persuasion are increasingly shot down and unwelcome. Sad times and a very poor reflection of the good work by Phil and his team.
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Seasider added 17:19 - Mar 7 Agree with you Cole that we all need to see more positive performances;but not so sure that it will make a big difference to the number of next seasons tickets sold at this late stage of the season? As you are immersed in the club bubble,and subject to Micks propaganda,you are probably not aware how much dislike there is towards your manager.There were 4 of us last season,all long term s/t holders,this season,only two.I have decided to renew but the other chap has still not made up his mind. Think the only way to stop the downward trend would be for the team to win most of the remaining matches,or for Mick to go. Neither of these scenarios would seem likely,so we soldier on.Mick says he wouldn't like to walk out to a 10k crowd next year,and I think it will be more than that;but the trend of falling gates will continue in my opinion if the status quo is maintained!

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dirtydingusmagee added 19:10 - Mar 7 ''SKUSIE'' Now promoted to reading Micks scripts he should just concentrate on his game, let ''Dougie'' have that job .
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