Town midfielder Paul Anderson has attributed the team’s current eight-game unbeaten league run, which has taken them to sixth in the table, to team spirit and hard work as well as individual ability.

Anderson, 25, admits he has never experienced anything like it before and even suggests the level of togetherness at Portman Road is unparalleled in the Championship.

He said: “There’s not a single bad egg in the changing room, which is a bit unusual really. You normally have someone who is moaning or something that is not quite right, but the lads have been fantastic and they’ve all been supporting whoever is in the starting XI.

“I think we all believe we have a chance of breaking into the starting line-up and staying there. If you are given your chance and you take it the gaffer is going to be fair with you. He has shown that.

“If you have come in and performed well he has given you another opportunity and all the lads know what the gaffer is like. He’s black and white and says it how it is, so you know where you stand.

“Everyone has a great opportunity to be involved within the next few games because it is another busy period because of the FA Cup replay at Preston next week.

“It is tough when you’re expected to come in straight away and perform, which is difficult if you’ve not played for a month or so. It’s not easy to come in, have one opportunity and take it.

“But that’s football unfortunately and we’ve all got to keep ourselves fit in training, even do a little bit extra if you’re not playing, and just make sure you’re ready when you do get that chance.”

Anderson says there is no secret formula for assembling a squad in which everyone gets along well, adding: “It’s just about a good group of lads who are all prepared to work for each other.

“Teams always seem to have the odd luxury player but I don’t think we’ve got that. We’ve got David McGoldrick, who has scored most of our goals, and you’d probably class him as a luxury player. But he puts in a shift as well and works for everyone else, which is great.

“That comes from the top down and the manager wouldn’t let anyone get away with not pulling his weight. He has built a great squad here, we’re all enjoying it and we’re desperate to progress. Everyone wants to do well.

“I can’t comment on other teams because I don’t know what their changing room is like. I can only comment on ours but I would struggle to believe that other teams would have the same togetherness as we have here.”

Photo: Action Images

cooper4england added 09:02 - Jan 10 Alright Paltrow, it's not the Oscars!!
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beech1972 added 10:16 - Jan 10 Didn't the bad egg cross the road to Blackpool
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Hegansheroes added 12:22 - Jan 10 beech1972-seems like he's worse than a bad egg more rotten to the core. Friend who is a Blackpool fan told me they want him gone ASAP. How many more chances can that prxck get
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Morgan added 13:32 - Jan 10 It shows that there is a good dressing room atmosphere and togetherness when they are out on the pitch. Games when we haven't played well this season we have dug in and not lost, something that we were unable to do a couple of years ago. I really hope we can keep the run going tomorrow and we can get a result against QPR. I can see it going either way tomorrow but would be happy if we play well and don't lose. We have enough quality to get a positive result at home. I read in the guardian online yesterday that Chops had been fined £10k for a twitter out outburst at Blackpool.

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dubblue added 14:01 - Jan 10 All very positive, we've moved a long way from the dark days of Keano. Some credit must be due to MMC. Seems Chopra is now being made train on his own!
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blueboy1981 added 18:44 - Jan 10 ....... let's start showing that this is true and factual - with a win tomorrow against QPR, and not another boring draw after taking the lead.
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