Town striker Freddie Sears acknowledged recent results — one win in six league games — have not been good enough but was quick to point out: “There is no need for panic.”
The former West Ham and Colchester player said it was a case of business as usual at the training ground and there had been no need for skipper Luke Chambers to call a meeting of the players ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Huddersfield.
Sears, 25, said: "The boys are all pretty close and they see each other quite a lot away from the club. There’s been no need to do anything like that because everyone’s happy.
"There’s no one in the dressing room feeling unhappy or that they’re not involved — we are all pulling in the right direction.
"Our last game at Blackburn was disappointing and the boys were gutted, as well as the manager, but we’re looking to put things right. We have three big games coming up and we want to start the run with a win on Saturday.”
Sears did not entirely dismiss the possibility of complacency creeping into at least some players’ performances, adding: "I’m not sure. Obviously, at the start of the season we were second in the league so everyone was buzzing and happy.
"Maybe we might have taken our eye off the ball a little bit but the boys are still working hard, day in and day out, to try to get to where we want to be.”
The striker, with 13 goals for Town since his January move up the A12, agrees that with the current strength of the squad at manager Mick McCarthy’s disposal no player can consider himself a certain starter from one week to the next.
He said: "The gaffer has come out publicly and said that no one is nailed on to start and that there could be a lot of changes on Saturday.
"Everyone is working to get in the team and even when you are playing in the team there is a lot of pressure to perform and stay in it. At the minute you’ve got to try to hold on to your shirt and do your best to stay in the team.
"The gaffer is really honest with us. If you’re doing well he will tell you and if you’re not doing well he’ll also tell you.
"I wouldn’t say there are any favourites in the team and I’m sure he respects everyone, both as a player and as a person.
"He’s probably been a bit fairer with some of the boys who have done well for him this season but it can all change. At the moment we’re all looking forward to Saturday and getting the three points.”
But Sears admitted that if the recent run continues there could well come a time when McCarthy’s patience is tested and he feels he has no alternative but to ring the changes.
"Yes, definitely.” he added. "That’s what happens everywhere because it’s results that matter. When you’re winning no one is looking at the team and asking questions but when you lose, or even draw a couple, people are calling for changes.
"Sometimes you have injuries and you’re unlucky, sometimes it’s bad form and people need to go out and come in. If that happens it’s up to the people who come in to make a difference and then try to retain their place in the team.
"There’s no one panicking here and you can see that with the gaffer and the way he and the boys are around the place. Everyone is obviously very disappointed with some of the recent results but there is still a great spirit around the club.
"We’ve had two weeks to sit on the horrible game at Blackburn and we all want to get back out on the pitch to put it right.
"The gaffer rarely changes. Sometimes after a game he’s disappointed but when it comes to Monday morning he’s back to his normal self, shaking everyone’s hand, and we all get on with it.
"There’s no hiding from the manager or him hiding from you. He says his stuff on Saturday and the line’s been drawn. It’s the best way to be really and we all get on with it, good or bad.”