Town manager Mick McCarthy believes several of his squad are in the running for the Supporters’ Player of the Year gong which will be announced at the Player Awards Evening tonight. Voting will take place around the ground prior to today’s game against Doncaster.
Christophe Berra, Tommy Smith, Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick are amongst the front runners for the award won by the New Zealand international defender last season.
"Because of where we are in the league there are a number of candidates who could get the Player of the Year,” McCarthy said.
"I’d hate to think we were fifth or sixth bottom and there’s only one player that was going to get it. That would be a bit disappointing.
"We’ve been consistent all year, the back four or five have been terrific, Didz has always got to be a candidate, although he’s missed the last few games but I’m sure he’ll get plenty of votes. There are a lot of candidates for it.”
He says consistency throughout the side has been the key to picking up results such as Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Huddersfield.
"The other night somebody said ‘Chambo had a really good game’ and I said that it’s very rare you win an away game unless they’re all on sevens and eights. That’s how you win an away game,” he added.
"I think that’s been the story of the season, I think we’ve had some really consistent performers, good performers.
"Our form throughout the season full stop has been fairly consistent. Let’s hope it’s the same on Saturday.”
He says everyone, even those not involved in the side on a regular basis, is pulling in the same direction which he believes is crucial: "It’s vital at every stage of the season. When does it become less vital? Probably after May 3rd if we’re not playing any more, that’s the only time.
"You have to have a squad which is supportive of each other whether they’re in the team or out of the team.
"They can be disappointed, they can be upset, they can be angry but they support the guys who are in the team and I think that’s what we’ve got.”
The aim for the season was to be challenging for the play-offs at this stage of the campaign, a stark contrast to where the Blues found themselves a year ago.
McCarthy recalled: "Sweat was running down my underpants this time last year! It was certainly my ambition not to be stuck in that relegation mire.
"I remember at the end of season dinner last year I was asked if I was enjoying it and I said I am but I’d be enjoying it even more if I knew we were safe.
"And we had 57 points at the time, we played Birmingham on the Saturday and we won and we were safe. It’s nice not to be in that. It’s much nicer to be at the top end.”
He says it’s important that players are given downtime at this stage of the season: "I’m a firm believer in them needing to rest and we make sure that we temper our training sessions accordingly and sometimes they have a day off to spend a bit of time with their families and just relax.
"If they’re not fit now then they’re never, ever going to be fit. Naturally, I would argue that we’re the fittest team in the league, certainly we’re as fit as anybody else.”
Meanwhile, the Town boss was delighted to see Jonny Williams’s parent club Crystal Palace beat Cardiff 3-0 last week.
"The first one against Chelsea was the one because he was going back. I’d spoken to Tony Pulis and I knew he was going back. That was great and then last week they kept it going. Let’s hope they win this weekend as well!
"I don’t know who they’re playing, mind you! Villa? I’ve no vested interest except for myself and Ipswich. The longer Jonny can stay here the better it is for us.”