Grant Ward has “guaranteed” Town won’t finish in the same position they currently occupy at the foot of the Championship table.
The former Tottenham winger or midfielder turned in an impressive second-half display in Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw with second-placed Brentford and is convinced he and his colleague can climb to safety under new boss Paul Hurst.
Town have banked four points from eight games, one fewer than at the same stage of the season six years ago when Paul Jewell was in charge.
He only added a further two from his next four before losing his job, caretaker-manager Chris Hutchings presiding over a 3-0 home loss to Sheffield Wednesday before Mick McCarthy arrived to take charge and made a winning start, 1-0 at Birmingham.
Ward, 23, said: "We know where we are and we don’t want to be in and around that position, never mind right at the bottom.
"But I’ll guarantee now that what the table looks like now, it probably won’t look like that at the end of the season.”
Town are next in action at Portman Road on Saturday against Bolton and Ward added: "We need to keep the momentum from the second half against Brentford. I think the fans were on board with us as well, so hopefully we can do that.
"That second half against Brentford was very important. Obviously, we knew that it wasn’t good enough going into the break and we knew we had to do something to change that.
"I think we did in the second half. We were a lot better — better on the press, a bit more comfortable on the ball and we looked like we could have nicked it.”
Ward admitted there were a few home truths from Hurst at the interval, the manager deciding to make immediate changes as Jordan Spence and Ellis Harrison were replaced by Gwion Edwards and Jon Nolan respectively upon the restart.
Hurst had started with a 3-5-2 formation for the first time since taking charge and Ward continued: "I think he could tell from the shape we had that we needed to change something and that everyone had to give a bit more, which I think we did in the second half.
"We didn’t win, however, and we are still looking for that first win of the season. It’s obviously disappointing but all we can do is look to the next game and hopefully we can get our first win then, and after that I think we’ll push on.
"There is more to come from this side, 100 per cent I believe that. Obviously, we are a new team with a lot of new faces and we’re still trying to learn how everyone plays.
"New system, new manager as well, and hopefully it will all click into place sooner rather than later.
"I think we’re still confident and the boys all know what they can do. Sometimes you just need a bit of luck and hopefully we’ll get that in the next game, and all the boys can perform at their best.”
Ward started life at Portman Road with a bang just over two years ago, marking his debut following a £500,000 summer move from Spurs with a hat-trick in the 4-2 defeat of Barnsley on the opening day of the season, having only been introduced at the break.
He recalled that memorable day and grinned: "It was a great start but you could say it began to weigh on my shoulders a bit. I think a lot of fans thought I was going to get a hat-trick in every game!
"I know what I can do and I believe I can bring a lot more to the team. Consistency in terms of scoring is something I need to add to my game and I’ve been trying to do that. I hope to achieve it this season.
"I’m at an age now where I need to be consistent and help the team by scoring goals and providing assists.
"I won’t deny I’ve been a bit frustrated at not being a regular starter this season but that’s normal.
"If you’re not frustrated when you’re not playing you obviously don’t like football. I just try my best in training and when I get a chance hopefully I’ll take it.”