Boss Mick McCarthy says full-backs Jonny Parr and Tyrone Mings have blossomed since he switched around his back four.
McCarthy started the pair in the recent 2-0 home victory over Millwall, dropping Tommy Smith and moving skipper Luke Chambers into the centre, and they have helped the Blues to three wins on the trot, Parr netting the first goal in the 2-0 victory over Brighton in which Mings was widely viewed as the man of the match.
Norwegian international Parr, 25, had to wait a few games for his debut after joining the Blues on a free transfer in the summer following his release by Crystal Palace.
"He came in late and he wasn’t match fit,” McCarthy said. "So he had to get his fitness up.
"Tyrone started the season with Chambo at right-back and he just didn’t get his chance. He got in at left-back at Derby and since I decided to play him at right-back and Tyrone on the left they’ve really blossomed, the pair of them.”
Mings has grown in confidence with every game and his manager says he’s reacted well to the Blues turning down Palace's £3 million offer for him on deadline day, the interest appearing to have given the £10,000 signing from Chippenham a significant boost.
"It has,” McCarthy added. "He knows he’s got to stay in the team and if he keeps playing like that then he will.
"It’s no good having your head turned and not playing well because that just gets you out of the team.
"He’s been excellent and he was unlucky not to score [against Brighton], but the fact that we had one full-back crossing and one scoring was great.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy has given short shrift to fans who have been critical of midfielder Cole Skuse in recent weeks.
"It doesn’t worry me that,” he said. "I’ve played with players who have got dog’s abuse every week. They play every week and the punters just don’t like them.
"Cole Skuse was a favourite when he came, so I don’t know what he’s done to change that. It’s par for the course, you get negative comments.”