Paul Anderson can hardly believe his good fortune after thinking he would start the current campaign in League One with newly-relegated Bristol City.
Instead the winger is still a Championship player after joining Town in a swap deal that saw Jay Emmanuel-Thomas switch to Ashton Gate after just two seasons on the Portman Road payroll.
Anderson reflected on a miserable 2012/13 season that saw the Robins finish rock-bottom, admitting: "On a personal level it was frustrating. I made the decision to go there and it was down to the manager who was there at the time [Derek McInnes].
"It was a strange one because I had a few offers from different clubs and when I went down there I didn’t play under him at all really. My first start was actually against Ipswich at Portman Road, around December time, which was strange considering he did so much to get me there.
"It was frustrating for me. There were some very good players in that team but for some reason it didn’t quite work out and it ended in disappointment. But I’ve tried to take the positives out of it.
"It wasn’t a great season but in the end I played half the games after Christmas. On a personal level I did really well and got a fantastic move here. Whether or not that was down to having a couple of games against Ipswich, where I played really well, I don’t know.
"It might have been in the gaffer’s head but I must have done something right to get out of a team that got relegated and into a very good club. I wasn’t particularly looking to get out. I sort of had it in my head to be ready to play in League One.
"It wasn’t what I wanted but if I’d had to take that step back for a year I knew I would have to put in some good performances if I was going to get out of there.
"Fortunately, I think the whole situation with JET helped me out a little bit, with Bristol wanting him and rather than getting the money the gaffer was more interested in getting me, which was obviously nice to hear.”
Anderson admitted he was immediately sold on the idea of joining Town and relished the opportunity to work with manager Mick McCarthy.
He added: "He is such a big name within the game and, as I’ve said before, as soon as he and Ipswich were interested it was a no-brainer for me and I was desperate to come here.
"Mick’s a brilliant manager and I’ve really enjoyed every second working with him. He’s a very fair man and if you do well when he gives you your chance he’ll always give you another opportunity to turn in a performance.
"I feel like I’ve done okay so far but I don’t feel I’m yet back into my game properly. In a few more weeks and with a few more games behind me I’ll be looking to provide even more of a helping hand to the team.”