Two-goal striker Brett Pitman felt Saturday’s 3-2 win at Wigan epitomised the spirit in the Town squad.
The Blues, who had led 1-0 through a seventh-minute Pitman penalty having made a strong start, looked destined for defeat after a dramatic turnaround saw the Latics go into a 2-1 lead, Yanic Wildschut having scored both their goals.
But Pitman netted again and David McGoldrick nodded home an 88th minute winner as Town, revitalised by the introductions of McGoldrick, Kevin Bru and Grant Ward from the bench, came from behind to win a game for the first time since the 2-1 home victory over Leeds in January.
"We showed good spirit to come back towards the end,” Pitman said. "I think we started particularly well, probably in the first half an hour up until their goal we were on top and we probably should have been ahead by maybe one or two more.
"They scored and they got a lift from that and in the second half they started brightly and got a good goal through the lad on the left.
"And then it’s tough away from home, we’ve had to withstand a little bit of pressure but I think it shows the spirit that we’ve got in the group to keep going and come away with three good points in the end.”
He added: "Whatever level you play at goals change games and they swing the momentum.
"At 1-0 up we were so comfortable, then they got a goal from a deflected freekick and a rebound, then they’re on top and they get a good second goal. But you’ve got to stay in the game and hope you get a chance.”
Pitman’s penalty was his second goal of the season with his previous strike also having come from the spot at Reading.
The 28-year-old admits that that decision might have been harsh on Wigan defender Dan Burn, although the Blues frontman felt Town had a penalty decision which went the other way just before the break when a Jonny Williams cross was handled.
"I think he did catch Tom Lawrence but he got the ball as well,” he continued. "But the ref has given the penalty. I think we arguably could have had a penalty just before half-time with the handball, so things even themselves out.
"You need a little bit of luck, especially when you’re having a not great spell, you need a tiny little bit of luck and we’ve managed to take our luck and come away with three points.”
Like his manager Mick McCarthy, Pitman admitted relief was the overriding feeling when McGoldrick’s header hit the net.
"I think whenever you come back to score a late goal, it’s just relief and elation that you should win the game,” he said. "I think we’ve seen the game out in the final few minutes pretty well.”
The former AFC Bournemouth and Bristol City man was making his first start since returning to action after 10 weeks out with the ankle injury he suffered at Leeds at the end of September.
He says he was as pleased to be back in the XI as he was with taking his season’s tally to three goals: "I think more than the goals it was just nice to be back out playing and starting games.
"I’m not quite as sharp as I’d like to be but I think you’re only going to get that from playing games and 90 minutes today will certainly help.”
Was he surprised to start having made only two sub appearances? "Not overly, I played 20 minutes last Saturday and about 40 minutes in the week, so the next step was to start a game. Maybe a little bit surprised to last 90 minutes but I like to think I’m a fit lad.”
Pitman will get plenty of time to recover with Town’s next match the home game against Fulham on Boxing Day.
"It’s nice when you win to get on to the next game, so we’ll get ourselves right, people will recharge their batteries and we’ll go again against Fulham,” he said.
Saturday night saw the squad fly out to Ireland for their Christmas party, but Pitman wasn’t in the mood for a late night: "I’m looking forward to going to sleep, that’ll do me!”
Meanwhile, Town's U23s are in action against QPR at Playford Road this afternoon (KO 1pm).