Christophe Berra has praised fellow countryman Ryan Fraser for the impact he has made at Portman Road this season.
Scottish winger Fraser is on a season-long loan from Bournemouth and apart from netting three times — at Brentford and Preston in the league and at Doncaster in the Capital One Cup — he has also added an exciting new aspect to Town’s attacking options.
Berra said: "He’s done really well. He’s given us a different dimension. He’s got a bit of pace and, when your backs are against the wall, he can take the pressure off by running with the ball.
"If you’re a defender or full-back you don’t want somebody like him running at you. He’s sharp, small and stocky and has a low centre of gravity. He’s started really well and can make a real difference.
"Ryan is direct. It's down to him now, he’s set his standards high and he’s got to maintain them. I know it’s difficult for young players and I’m sure there will be times when he doesn't perform as well as he wants to.
"But as long as he puts the work rate in and gets back, tackles and helps the full-back, it will be great. He’s set his standards now and hopefully he can keep that up.”
Town could go second in the Championship table if they win tonight’s live-on-Sky home clash with Birmingham City but the league table is the last thing on Berra’s mind right now.
He added: "I know it’s a cliché but the table doesn’t matter until April-May time. I think Forest went on a long unbeaten run at the start of last season and in the end they didn’t even make the play-offs.
"There’s no point playing well now and then dropping loads after Christmas. It’s about being consistent.
"We’re not looking at the league table, we just want to win games and pick up points. We know it is going to be a tough game against Birmingham.
"Last season it was 2-2 and 4-2, both end-to-end games and they are a real threat. The manager’s got them well drilled and Donaldson up front is a real handful so we know we’ve got a hard night ahead and we need to be at 110 per cent.”
Next Wednesday’s trip to Manchester United in a Capital One Cup third round tie can also wait as far as Berra is concerned.
He was sitting at home when the draw was made and immediately relayed the news to his team-mates after their extra-time second round win at Doncaster.
He said: "I texted someone but that’s in the back of our minds just now and our focus is on Birmingham. But it’s an added incentive, Man United away, and we’ll go there and enjoy the occasion, whoever plays, and try to get a result.
"In the end the league’s our bread and butter and I’m sure there will be more focus from the manager on the home game against Bristol City.
"I’ve had the opportunity to play at Old Trafford and it’s a great stadium but it will only be half full no doubt because it’s the Capital One Cup.
"But it’s a great theatre to play your football and they are one of the top five teams in the world so we've got to go there and enjoy it and try to put in a performance.
"Sometimes when you’re the underdogs you play better, you play with no fear and that’s what we’ll go there and do, try to treat it the same as any other game.
"I don’t know what the team is going to be — it probably depends on the result on Friday and the fitness of the boys and what the gaffer thinks. But whoever plays out there I’m sure they will do a good job.”