Town midfielder Cole Skuse believes December will be a key month in terms of determining which clubs are likely to emerge as the main challengers for the three coveted promotion places.
There are six games this month, starting with tomorrow’s visit to Skuse’s former club Bristol City, and followed by clashes with Cardiff (home), Birmingham City and Wigan (away) and a Portman Road double-header comprising games against Fulham and the return fixture with Bristol City.
Skuse said: "December is always a massive month in any season. At least, that’s how I see it because once you are over the Christmas period I believe it gives you an inkling as to where teams are going to finish the season.
"Generally speaking, going into January there is always a bit of a marker in the table as to how things could turn out.”
Asked if he was surprised by this season’s Championship campaign, Skuse replied: "No, not overly surprised. I’d like to think I have been around this level for long enough to know it’s always tough and there’s never going to be an easy stretch of games.
"Maybe Huddersfield were a bit of a surprise package the way they got off to a flying start, although they have hit a bit of a stumbling block recently.
"It’s the same with Bristol City — good start but then a sticky patch — but after Christmas you’ll get a good idea of who’s going to finish where.
"I’m expecting Aston Villa and Derby to carry on climbing the table. When you see them in the bottom three in the first few weeks of the season you don’t get carried away because they have enough quality — and they’ve spent enough money on their squads — to know they have what it takes to finish at the top end.”
Meanwhile, Skuse has leapt to the defence of midfield colleague Jonathan Douglas, who has found himself a prime target for criticism by supporters in recent weeks. He said: "I can’t speak highly enough of him. But we’ve all taken flak — I know I have — and it’s the same for every player during their careers.
"I saw an article in which the gaffer was talking about him and he said he does exactly what it says on the tin, which is a good way of putting it.
"All the lads in the dressing are behind Dougie. He’s been around the game long enough to know all the tricks of the trade. For me he’s a very consistent player, a real steady Eddie.
"He’s easy to bounce off. He’s old enough and experienced enough to know where to go, when to go into the box and when not to go.
"He takes a bit of the weight off my shoulders in the sense that I’m not forever covering in behind him because he knows when to get back in. He’s a great pro.”