Conor Chaplin has commented on departed manager Paul Cook and the search for a replacement while interim boss John McGreal prepares the players for a trip to face second-top Wigan on Saturday.
Leaders Rotherham are only at the summit on goal difference, while the in-form Latics — 13 points from their last five league games and unbeaten in 10 in all competitions — have a game in hand on their Yorkshire rivals.
Chaplin, 24, has netted four times in 14 league appearances, nine of them starts, and has also claimed a further two goals in Papa John’s Trophy and FA Cup fixtures since his move from Barnsley in the summer for an estimated £750,000.
The forward, who played for Cook at first club Portsmouth, agreed that the former manager played a big part in his decision to join Town and said: "Of course he did. I was gutted when I found out he had left, the same as everyone else.
"It was a surprise at the time but it just outlines the ambition and the way the club is going, not waiting for anyone and they want success now.
"As a player that’s exciting but at the same time it also means that if you’re not doing your job as a player, if you’re not bringing enough to the table, you need to sort of have a look at yourself and try to carry on, otherwise you won’t be at the club for that long.
"It’s exciting as a player when you are part of an ambitious project — it’s a big thing for your career — and I don’t think there are a lot of players who get the opportunity we have, to play at a club like this, with massive ambition, in their careers.”
Does he believe that Cook will soon be back in football elsewhere and that his new club will be lucky to have him? "Of course they will,” he added.
"I spoke to the gaffer after he left and obviously that was a private conversation, but wherever he goes and whoever is next for him they will be very lucky, very lucky indeed.”
Town are now adrift of the play-off places by nine points — the same gap that separates them from the drop zone — and Chaplin says the players, who under-performed in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat by Charlton, need to pick themselves up — and quickly — if the season is to salvaged.
He continued: "It has been difficult but we can’t be feeling sorry for ourselves. There’s a game round the corner and there are points to be made.
"We know we’re playing catch-up — we’re not in denial about that, we’re staring it straight in the face. We need to get to winning ways quickly and get back on track.
"The form hasn’t been good enough and that’s completely the responsibility of the players. Every single one of us accepts that and owns up to that.
"There’s been a lot said, an awful lot said, in terms of that and especially with the gaffer losing his job as well.
"It’s not really a time to keep talking and talking about it. We need to start showing it on the pitch and that’s something that everyone will be pushing to do.
"What better way to get back on track than with a win on Saturday? Wigan are doing well — they’re flying — but what better way could there be for us than to go up there and pick up the points?
"Our full focus in training this week is on preparation for that game and as I’ve said none of us are feeling sorry for ourselves or looking anywhere else other than inside the dressing room. We need to come up with the answers and fast.
"The training has been good and it’s been lively. It’s tough for the interim manager and his staff as well as they try to get the morale going again and get the confidence up. They’ve come in and encouraged us to go out and express ourselves.
"They don’t know — and nor do we — how long they are going to be in the job or in charge but there’s no point focusing on that.
"The club are looking for a manager and it’s nothing to do with us. We are employed by the football club to go out there and work for the fans and the club so that’s something we will be doing.”
Asked if the thought the appointment of the next manager should happen as soon as possible, Chaplin responded: "Yes, probably, the sooner the better obviously. But rather than the timescale, it’s probably more important that it’s the right person.
"There are people a lot higher up in the club who are responsible for that and the players have no interest in that until the new gaffer is here. We’ll just keep doing our jobs, keep staying professional. That, and nothing less, is what’s expected of us.”