Paul Digby has heaped praise on Mick McCarthy after the Town boss handed him his full league debut in last week’s goalless stalemate at automatic promotion contenders Middlesbrough.
The 21-year-old’s display at the heart of the defence had a lot to do with Town holding Boro to a draw — a result that cost them their chance to go two points clear at the top of the table with just two games left to play.
Digby, on loan from Barnsley where he has a year left on his contract but expected to complete a permanent free move in the summer, said: "The gaffer’s been brilliant and he’s been working really hard with me, putting a lot of time and effort in, especially when I’ve not been playing week in, week out.
"Both him and TC have been brilliant with me, just pushing me extra hard in training and also after training. They were keeping my standards high so that when I did come into a game like Middlesbrough away I would be ready and prepared for it.
"I found out on the Friday that I would be playing. Bez [Christophe Berra] was struggling with his knee. The gaffer pulled me to one side and said I would be starting, and I was delighted.
"I had been dying to start but obviously Tommy and Bez had been playing really well and keeping a lot of clean sheets along with Bart, Chambo and Jonas.
"It’s been good watching them because I can learn from them — that’s what I was trying to do because TC is always on to me to keep learning and keep watching. I was prepared as best I could have been for going into the game.
"I wasn’t really nervous. I was completely fine to be honest. I don’t really get nervous before games. I just focus on my own game and do my best for the team — that’s all I can do really.”
Digby was also full of praise for his colleagues, adding: "They were different class. It helped being at centre-half alongside Tommy because he’s a top guy.
"Chambo, the skipper, as well. He just talks you through any game so I think we had a really good connection on the pitch. We were all helping each other out and we stuck at it and got through it.
"I thought I did well. It wasn’t a game in which to do anything too pretty. I just concentrated on winning my headers and tackles, plus all the scruffy bits. I’m learning by watching Championship football week in and week out that you’ve got to do that.
"Sometimes coming away with a 0-0 from a team like Middlesbrough is a good thing and I was delighted with my debut.
"It has whetted my appetite for more, 100 per cent. Playing in front of a crowd like that — 30,000, big stadium and coming away with a good result — gives you a huge boost and you just want to get back out there as soon as possible.”
Digby also explained the situation back at Barnsley that resulted in him joining Town, adding: "The manager brought players in around the time that I went on trial to Manchester United almost a year ago and maybe he thought I would be leaving to sign for them.
"Some managers have visions for their team and sometimes you don’t get into that and that’s fine. It doesn’t mean you are a bad player — you just go somewhere else and show another manager that you are right for his team.”