As Town go into another international break, midfielder Paul Anderson says he believes the Blues are in a great position just under a quarter of the way through the season. The 25-year-old’s goal helped Town to a 1-1 draw in their 11th game of the campaign at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, which saw them into 11th in the table on 15 points.
"I think we’re looking quite strong,” Anderson said. "The lads have been putting great shifts in and we know our style of game.
"I think we’re in a great position, we’re there or thereabouts. If we can put a few results together that might sneak us into the top six, which is what we’ll be aiming for.
"We’re looking forward to the rest of the season and we’re very confident that we can go out and beat anyone in this league.”
Like his manager Mick McCarthy, the summer signing from Bristol City says he’s not too concerned by the lack of away wins with the Blues regularly victorious at Portman Road: "If we can keep winning at home and keep picking up points away from home we can’t complain. It’s a good recipe to have.
"We feel solid at home and any point you can get away from home is a positive and I’m sure the win will come sooner rather than later.”
Saturday’s goal was Anderson’s second of the season and while he’s aiming for more, says it was probably the defensive side of his game which persuaded the Blues boss to recruit him in the summer: "It’s maybe why the gaffer wanted to sign me and I know the strengths of my game.
"I’m not the best going forward, I know there are better players out there but they can’t do what I can do going backwards. I’m getting asked to do a fair bit [of defending] but I enjoy it.”
Saturday’s goal was created by David McGoldrick and having played alongside the striker during their time at Nottingham Forest Anderson was well aware of his talents before he moved to Portman Road.
"He’s a great player, I played with him at Forest and he was a great player then but never got given his opportunity,” he recalled.
"He took the step back into League One [with Coventry] and proved his quality and he’s come back up and he’s been doing the job here.
"He fully deserved the reward he got this weekend with the Player of the Month and hopefully he can keep scoring, and if he keeps setting me up that’ll be even nicer!”