Stand-in keeper Bartosz Bialkowski, whose first two league appearances have helped Town back into the Championship’s top six, has insisted automatic promotion is a realistic target.
The Pole has replaced the injured Dean Gerken and helped to bank maximum points from the wins at Blackpool last weekend and Wolves at home on Tuesday.
Bialkowski, 27, said: "I think we have the potential to go up automatically. We have already played against some of the top teams and taken points off them. Our results so far suggest we can be up there at the end of the season.
"You also have to remember we have been unlucky to lose points through conceding very late goals or we could have been at the very top by now.
"That is why it was good to beat Wolves by going ahead at 2-1 and then seeing the game out. We were very solid and that is what you need to be if you are going to win promotion.
"We all know it is a long season with plenty of games still left to play but we’ve got some momentum now and we must try to keep that going. It’s very tight in the top half of the league and all the teams will think they have a chance. We just need to take it step by step and do everything we can to stay up there.”
Town could do their cause a lot of good with a win over promotion rivals Watford at Portman Road o Saturday. The third-placed Hornets were Championship leaders until a shock midweek defeat at lowly Birmingham saw them overhauled by both Middlesbrough and Bournemouth.
Bialkowski added: "We are full of confidence, on a good run, but they have some good players. They try to play football so it’s going to be a big test for us.
"You never know, I might be busy. Hopefully I will be because it is difficult for a goalkeeper when you don’t have much to do in a game and then suddenly you are called upon.
"You need to stay focused and keep your concentration. I like to stay warm all game. I’m not scared of having to face a lot of shots because that is my job and I enjoy it.
"The busier I am and the better I play, the more chance I have of staying in the team, but the main thing on Saturday is that we win the game. Nothing is more important than that.”