Luke Chambers has pointed to his own partnership with Tommy Smith as one of the more positive aspects of the current campaign.
Bottom of the table with just seven points when Paul Jewell departed, Town have improved considerably to bank a further 28 points from the 54 on offer since Mick McCarthy took charge.
But despite the obvious upturn they currently occupy a position just one point above the relegation places and with the Championship’s worst goal difference.
However, the partnership between Chambers and New Zealand international Smith has undoubtedly been one of the season’s plus points.
Chambers said: "I feel I’m playing pretty well, keeping my strikers quiet, and I think Tommy is also playing really well. But it’s not just about me and Tommy.
"I think the whole team is helping on the defensive front and I think we’ve looked a lot more solid. I think Tommy and I have done very well lately but we’re still not happy unless we are keeping clean sheets.
"To be fair, I hadn’t seen much of Tommy before I came to the club but I think he’s been tremendous. He’s had a lot of plaudits and he’s deserved every one because he had a difficult time at the start of the season, as did everyone, and I think he has bounced back really well.”
Chambers is also full of praise for goalkeeper colleagues Scott Loach and Stephen Henderson, who have each made 17 senior appearances this term.
He added: "I think they are both good Championship keepers. They’ve done very well when they have played and it’s great for us to have that strength in depth.
"I’ve also got to mention Arran Lee-Barrett because he has been working so hard lately. It’s very difficult for him to continue to work so hard and not be involved.
"I’ve got to take my hat off to him because he has been putting in some extra hours in training and his game has come on no end.
"It’s always nice to have a settled team and when things are going well you manage to get that. We just need to keep doing what we are doing and whoever has been in goal they have been putting in some great performances. We’re keeping teams at bay as much as we can.”