The experience of playing against Reading in the first fixture of the season will benefit Town youngster Tyrone Mings as he prepares to make his first start since then at Blackpool today.
It turned out to be an eventful game at the Madejski Stadium for the 20-year-old defender as his side went down 2-1 to the newly-relegated Royals.
Not only was he booked, he also battled on bravely with a knee ligament injury, which earned him praise from manager Mick McCarthy afterwards.
Mings said: "I was in a lot of pain after that game. During the game I wasn’t in too much pain until I kicked the ball, so it was a bit of a problem. It was very painful on the journey home and I thought I’d done something serious, as the scan later showed.
"It was a bit crazy leading up to the Reading game. I had a little bit of tonsillitis so I was in hospital on the Tuesday, until about four o’clock in the morning.
"A few days later, on the Thursday, I came in and my hip flexor was sore. Adrenalin got me through the game and I felt fine until I did my knee. I didn’t worry about the game at all. I was more excited than nervous about it.
"To play well against the players Reading had in their team that day — they have one of the best attacking forces in the league — gives me confidence going into the Blackpool game.”
Meanwhile, Mings spoke of his relief that manager Mick McCarthy will not be returning to his former job as Republic of Ireland boss following this week’s announcement that Martin O’Neill, with ex-Town boss Roy Keane as his assistant, is to succeed the departed Giovanni Trapattoni.
He added: "I can certainly speak for myself and say I’m relieved. Mick McCarthy brought me to the club and has shown a lot of faith in me. I’m just a guy from non-league, I’ve come in and played a few games and I’m grateful that he has played me in his team.
"It has been a progressive year and a big learning curve — and obviously I still have a lot more learning to do. But it’s been great and I definitely feel I’m a better player.
"I do things now that I wouldn’t have done 12 months ago. I also don’t do things now that I would have done 12 months ago. Working with the manager, TC and the coaching staff has brought me on a lot.”