Blues defender Christophe Berra agrees this week’s home double-header against high-flying duo Wolves and Watford represents a serious examination of Town’s own promotion credentials.
Fresh from a welcome win at rock-bottom Blackpool, the next two tests are against teams with their sights set on the Premier League and the Scottish central defender knows how valuable two wins could prove in the final analysis.
Berra, 29, said: "They are all tough at this level but especially this week. Wolves have had a great start to the season and Watford are obviously top of the league. They are a very attacking team and I think they have a great front three. We know we face two very tough games and that we will have to be on our best form.
"Watford and Wolves are up there but every game is important and difficult. We have been quite good at home with only the one defeat this season, which was against Norwich and it was a crappy goal that beat us to be honest.
"No team will look forward to coming here but we know we will have to raise our game even more for these two games.”
Berra reflected on Town’s success at Bloomfield Road on Saturday, adding: "It was a good three points. I know Blackpool are bottom of the league but it was always going to be a difficult game.
"They have players who, in the past, have been very special talents but for some reason they have maybe not used their potential.
"They also have players who, on their day, can be mavericks and are able to change games. Luckily enough we went there, stamped our authority on the game, got a good two-goal lead and held out. Our keeper only had a couple of saves and I think one of them was from Hunty!
"It was a game from which we had nothing to gain and everything to lose. We expected to win but a game against Blackpool isn’t going to be easy and there isn’t one team in this league who are going to guarantee you three points.
"We had to go up there and do a professional job, which is exactly what we did.”
Berra revealed he was initially unaware of the pre-match drama that saw goalkeeper Dean Gerken sustain a groin injury in the warm-up and Bartosz Bialkowski replace him for his league debut.
He laughed: "I came in after the warm-up, didn’t know where Gerks was and then I found out he was injured.
"But Bart has been terrific, absolutely first class, in training. He has been pulling saves out right, left and centre and we knew he was a good keeper who could slot in, no problem.”