Town defender Tommy Smith will be on a revenge mission when in-form Wigan visit Portman Road in a battle of the play-off contenders this weekend.
The Latics, also FA Cup semi-finalists and with seven straight wins in all competitions behind them, are very much in the driving seat at the moment.
They only trail sixth-placed Reading on goal difference and have what could prove a significant advantage of two games in hand on the Royals as well as Town, who are currently four points off the pace.
Smith said: "I think the next four games are massive for us now. We are playing teams — Wigan, Brighton, Derby and Nottingham Forest — in and around us and if we can take points off them there’s every chance we can sneak in there.
"If we lose to Wigan it will make it very tough, although still not impossible, but we want to take all three points and bring them that much closer to us. It’s all we can do, worry about our own performances and picking up as many points as we can.
"We put in a good performance at their place soon after the start of the season, even if it ended 2-0 to them, so we’ll be looking to avenge that. We don’t want to lose twice to them in one season and we feel like we owe them one for sure.”
Town have not fared too well in terms of results against the teams above them in the Championship table, losing twice to leaders Leicester and QPR, as well as at Reading and Wigan, although they defeated both the Royals and Brighton at Portman Road, and also gained draws at both Derby and Forest.
Smith added: "If you look at our performances against the top teams they haven’t really warranted defeats on most occasions. We feel as if we have been doing well enough against them and it’s just about taking that next step and actually winning games.
"As I’ve said the next four games are really important since they are against the teams in and around us and we want to start on Saturday with three points. The crowd have been great all season and we’ve given them a bit more to shout about than we have in previous seasons.
"Their support at Yeovil the other night was fantastic — there were over a thousand of them down there on a Tuesday night, which is amazing for the distance they had to travel. We are really appreciative of all their support.”
The New Zealand international played a key part in the only goal at Huish Park, his flicked-on header paving the way for defensive partner Christophe Berra to take his tally for the club to four.
Smith said: "I’d have liked to have put it in myself but that’s twice I’ve set him up for goals so I’ve told him he owes me a couple now.
"But seriously, we’ve developed quite a good partnership. Previously it was a good partnership with Chambo and it was going to be tough to match that but I think we’re getting close to that now.
"Christophe brings a wealth of experience to the side after his time in the Premier League and at international level and it’s great to be playing alongside him at the moment.
"Obviously, it was a massive win at Yeovil as it keeps us in with a shout. If we can stay four or five points away, with the remaining games to go there’s always that chance of sneaking in there.”