Chris Wood has only been a Town player for a few days but he believes he has already identified a key ingredient for any team looking to win promotion to the Premier League.
Town dropped down to sixth in the Championship table after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Norwich - and then to seventh after last night's fixtures - but will be hoping to get back on track with a win at Leeds tonight before welcoming promotion rivals Brentford to Portman Road on Saturday.
Wood, whose loan switch from Leicester will run through to the end of the current campaign, said: "From my experience good team spirit is something you definitely need to have and just from the five days I have been down here it is obvious they have it here at Ipswich. That’s going to help massively come the end of the season.
"Automatic promotion is still very much a possibility. We’re only three points off it and as long as we get our heads down and do the right things we’ve every chance of being there.
"Momentum is hugely important and if we can get a few wins on the bounce it will work nicely for us. Hopefully we can string a few together and push our way back up again.”
Wood chose Town ahead of a number of Championship rivals keen to recruit the muscular New Zealand international striker (pictured above in action at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa), who added: "There were a few other clubs interested but this is the one that stuck out in my mind and seemed to be the one I should come to.
"The way the team is playing, how they are looking in the league, everybody is playing well and they have a great team spirit down here, plus of course the fact that I knew quite a few people.”
The new boy has been reunited with his international room-mate, Tommy Smith, and has even been staying with the Town defender at his Ipswich home — but his was not the only familiar face waiting to greet Wood upon his arrival at the training ground last week.
He added: "It has all been quite hectic, with a lot to do in a short space of time, but it was nice to finally get down here and get some game time.
"I knew quite a few of the lads before I came here and I have settled in quickly. They’re a great bunch and the ones that I have met for the first time have been really good to me.
"I’ve known Tommy for quite a few years now and we’re good mates. It was nice to come to a team where I already knew a few people — like Dean Gerken and Cole Skuse from my time on loan at Bristol City three years ago — because it helps you to settle quicker.
"But it’s everyone, they are all so open and up front, and it was nice the way they all introduced themselves straight away. You just get that buzz about the dressing room when you are on there talking with the lads. It’s a great feeling in there.
"I called Tommy quite a few times and especially last Wednesday when the move came about. He was always so positive about what he’s doing down here and he always spoke very highly about the gaffer, so it has all worked out well.”