Town boss Mick McCarthy is a man of his word — as young defender Tyrone Mings discovered when Aaron Cresswell was transferred to West Ham prior to the start of the current campaign.
Mings said: "The manager always said to me that I would get my chance if Cressy went because I was patient.
"When Cressy did go it changed a lot of things. All of a sudden I had different pressure of trying to keep the shirt than trying to get into the team.
"I think the manager has been brilliant with me. Everything has happened at good times — Cressy left at a good time in my development and at the moment I’m really enjoying playing in the team, although I am the first to admit there is still plenty of room for improvement.
"At the beginning of the season I was a little bit slow but since then I think I’ve really kicked on.
"The manager has shown good confidence in me over what happened in the transfer window when the club turned down a bid from Crystal Palace and I think it is showing in my performances.”
McCarthy made the point after a handful of games that he felt Mings was not fully extending himself and the player added: "I probably agree with him. In terms of my performances I think I have done a lot better when I’ve gone forward and shown no fear, rather than trying not to make mistakes.
"I’m taking the game to the opposition and having a bit more of an imposing effect in games. I’ve not done anything differently in terms of my play. I’ve just loosened up a bit I think. I love getting forward and being involved in the play as we attack but obviously it has to be at the right time.
"In some recent games — and certainly at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday — there wasn’t really much opportunity to do that because they were trying to sort of, not catch us on the break, but to stop our full-backs from going forward.
"In different games and different scenarios there are always going to be times when I can and can’t go forward, so I think the key is knowing when I can and when I can’t.”