Town midfielder Paul Anderson has revealed how he and his team-mates are on the same wavelength both on and off the field of play.
Currently unbeaten in their last eight league games, Anderson has pointed out the part that Town’s outstanding team spirit has played in taking them into a top-six slot.
He said: "There’s quite a lot of socialising away from the club that and we also do quite a few player appearances that involve groups of three, four and five. It means you are always seeing plenty of each other.
"There are four or five of the lads who live in my area, another four or five who are not too far away, so there is quite a bit of socialising and a few friendships that have bonded.
"Yes, there are certain groups that get on better with other lads, which is always the case in all aspects of life, but if I was sat at a table with any one of the lads in the changing room I could strike up a conversation and it wouldn’t be awkward.
"Everyone gets on and I like everyone, although I don’t know if they all like me. We tend to have the same room-mates when we travel to away games.
"In the past I’ve had managers who have switched people around and I don’t really think that works, when you are being forced to be with somebody else.
"Some people are just that bit more pally than others, while some are given the option of having their own rooms and prefer that. But team spirit and togetherness is a big factor in football generally. You can’t underestimate its value and the way it can impact on results.”
Anderson, who believes the Portman Road team spirit is probably second to none at Championship level, added: "If everyone is enjoying it and getting on I think you are going to perform at a much higher level than you are if that group togetherness didn’t exist
"Here at Ipswich we have a film group who all go to the cinema together and there’s a golf group who get together when the weather is suitable. We’ve been go-karting and ten-pin bowling and I hear they went paint-balling last season before I joined.
"To be honest there is usually a drinking group at clubs but we don’t have one here. Everyone is focused on the football but there is some great banter flying around the training ground.
"Chambo is always trying to organise things — he’s our social secretary — and that keeps the lads going. The gaffer is brilliant as well because he is happy to let us do group activities away from the football to keep the lads entertained. Even at training you can have a laugh and sometimes there’s no way that is allowed at other clubs.”