Boss Mick McCarthy says it’s important for a manager to remain single-minded and not allow themselves to be swayed by other people’s opinions.
McCarthy stuck with his usual back four for Tuesday’s 1-0 home victory over Bolton, despite calls for him to make a switch.
"Strangely enough I get fairly well paid to do this job and I’ve done it over 23 years and I also get trusted with it in terms of running a team because I’d like to think I’m half-decent at it over that period,” he said.
"I’ve got TC in my office and he’s my trusted lieutenant and I bounce things off him. As for everybody else, if I form a committee to design a horse, that’s how you get the camel.
"So I’m not keen on taking any notice of what people say because if I asked you all in here for a team you’d all give me a different one and you’d all give me a different opinion on why you’d do it.
"You have to be single-minded, you have to trust in what you do, the way you do it and have belief in it.”
He says he chats with his assistant Terry Connor all the time: "I speak to TC every single day, he’s in my office with me. I discuss things, things I might consider doing and ask him his opinion, of course I do.
"Mine is the final decision, always. But he’s a very good coach and is somebody I trust and what I do trust and like about him is that he doesn’t just say yes.
"He would give his opinion and rightfully so because of his experience. We’ve worked together for a long time and I value his opinion and his input.
"He wouldn’t just concur with me, not at all. And likewise on the sidelines. Two heads are better than one, so long as one of them’s making the final decision.”