While Aaron Cresswell readily acknowledges Town still have work to do in order to guarantee their Championship status for next season he allowed himself a glimpse into what he sees as a far brighter future for the club.
Should the club avoid what would appear to be an unlikely relegation — they are five points clear with just three games left to play — the former Tranmere defender firmly believes they can be among the promotion contenders next term.
Cresswell said: "Since Mick took over on the first day of November we’re fourth in the form table so there’s no reason why we can’t look forward to next season and hopefully make the play-offs.
"There’s a great atmosphere around the place at the minute. Obviously, when you are not winning games it’s not nice coming into work. It’s much better when you are winning or at least picking up points.
"We wish we were in Cardiff’s shoes right now and all the other teams in the league will feel like that. I’ve got to say congratulations to them on winning promotion but hopefully it will be us one day. The least we’ll be looking to do next season is to make the play-offs.
"Every season there is a team that comes with a late run and goes up through the play-offs. You never know, maybe if we had 10 or 12 games left it could be us.
"We are looking ahead to next season with plenty of confidence. There will be outgoings and incomings and I think it would be massive if we could keep Richard Stearman at the club next season because he’s been terrific since he’s come in. As things stand we are going forward in a very positive frame of mind.”
Meanwhile, Icelandic sources continue to link the Blues with a possible season-long loan move for 20-year-old centre-half Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson, who is with Italian giants Juventus.
Fulham, West Ham United, Eintracht Frankfurt are also said to be keen on the Icelandic U21 international, who the Turin club want to send out on loan during 2013/14 to gain experience. Town are understood to have sent scouts to watch him in action in a NextGen U19 match against Chelsea last month.