Daryl Murphy admits he feared the axe before Town won back-to-back games earlier this month to end a depressing run of just one victory in 10.
Murphy, last season’s top scorer in the Championship with 27 goals, had not managed to score this season until he claimed his first hat-trick in English football in the 5-2 win at Rotherham last time out.
The Republic of Ireland international said: "I said before that if I wasn’t scoring my place in the team would be at risk.
"The gaffer has brought in some more players this season — up front we have some very good options — so if I wasn’t playing well and scoring it would be only fair if he didn’t pick me.
"That’s the way I’ve been thinking all along and I knew I had to start playing well and get back on the scoresheet.
"Thankfully that’s what happened. I was thinking I would be dropped if the goals weren’t coming but in the two or three games before Rotherham I thought my fitness and sharpness was back.
"I felt more confident and I was getting chances in games, whereas in the earlier games I wasn’t really creating much or getting into positions where I should have scored. That has come back in the last two or three.”
Murphy also admitted that he didn’t think he would to wait so long to net his first hat-trick in England, adding: "I once scored four for Waterford in a game years ago but I don’t know whether that counts or not. Hopefully, now that I’ve got one there are a few more goals to come.
"Last season was when I thought I would get one because I was getting a few braces. I used to have a few mates getting on to me and saying ‘Any chance of you getting a hat-trick?’.
"I thought one would come along last year when I was scoring pretty regularly but thankfully I’ve got one now.”
Murphy & Co can’t wait for Saturday’s home clash with Wolves when Town will be aiming for a third successive league win.
He added: "We’ve had the international break and from seeing the lads in training they are clearly itching to get back. It’s probably been a long two weeks for them, whereas for me it’s been a bit different.
"We need to just carry on our form. We’re at home so hopefully we can do that. It’s all about getting league points now and especially after our last two results because we want to keep it going.
"We know there are a lot of games coming up and we need to be ready for all of them.”
Meanwhile, Murphy revealed that his souvenir of the treble blast against the Millers is still not in his possession as ex-Town goalkeeper James Pullen, who now operates in the dual role of masseur and kit man, at Portman Road took charge of it in order to collect messages and signatures from other members of the senior squad.
With a glint in his eye Murphy said: "James has still got the ball. I spoke to him this morning and he says he’s going to do a little something for me.”