Central defender Adam Webster insists he is a better player now than the one who departed Portsmouth for Town back in July this year.
Webster attributes his improvement to the day-to-day influence of his team-mates and the personal tuition from boss Mick McCarthy, a renowned performer in the same position during his playing career with Barnsley, Manchester City, Celtic, Lyon and Millwall.
The ex-Pompey player said: "I’m definitely a better player now than when I left Fratton Park. I’m training each day with these players and that’s always going to make you a better player. You learn a lot more in the actual games but training each day with lads who have a lot of quality can only make you better.
"The gaffer has helped my game 100 per cent. He has been there and done it, and he’s someone I can learn a lot from. I already have and I’m really enjoying it.”
Playing alongside the vastly experienced Christophe Berra has been another significant factor in Webster’s progress. He acknowledged: "Both Christophe and Tommy [Smith] have played a lot of games.
"Playing with Bez is always very good because he’s always talking to me throughout the game — and I mean literally, throughout the 95 minutes.
"We must look a right pair with our gum shields in but I’ve learned a lot from him. We don’t look our best with the gum shields in but we make the most of it.”
Having impressed McCarthy in Town’s pre-season programme, Webster started in the 4-2 opening-day home win over Barnsley and believes he has settled in well at Portman Road.
He added: "Tommy has played the majority of games under the gaffer so I understood the decision and took it in my stride.
"Tommy was unlucky to get injured and I was ready to come back into the team then I obviously picked up a little injury, which was a bit frustrating, but hopefully that’s all behind me now and I can push on.
"I have settled in really well. All the boys and the staff, in fact everyone at the club, have been really welcoming. I’m settled and loving it here. Hopefully, you are starting to see the best of me now.
"I thought I did alright on Saturday at Blackburn — we kept a clean sheet, we were solid and they didn’t really cause us any problems. They didn’t break us down and all their shots were from outside the box, which we’ll take. It’s what you want as a defender.”