Assistant boss Terry Connor admits that it’ll be a big ask for the Blues to finish higher than sixth in the table this season with fifth-placed Nottingham Forest now 10 points better off. Town sit in eighth in the Championship on 44 points, three behind Reading in the final play-off place, with 16 games remaining.

“I think we’re 10 points behind the fifth-placed team, so you’re realistic enough to know that that’s a big swing of points,” Connor said.

“But it doesn’t stop you picking up your points and seeing where you are come May 3rd. We’ll just keep working, keep trying to pick up our points, pick up our wins and as long as there’s a top six spot available we’ll be challenging as much as we can for it.”

Connor says he and manager Mick McCarthy have talked with the squad about the current position just outside the play-off zone: “We spoke about it this morning. We’ve said to the lads all along that we should try and embrace where we are.

“When we came in last season it was a difficult situation and I thought the lads embraced that situation and turned that around and had a good season in the end, from where we started.

“This year we challenged them to not be at the bottom and to try and get to mid-table and have a look at the top end if we possibly could.

“I think the players embrace it, I know the gaffer and myself embrace it and I think we are where we are on merit, so why not keep going for the next 16 games?”

The former striker says the division is as tight as ever with matches often hinging on single incidents: “I think you’ll find, particularly in the Championship, there’s very little difference between the teams — a bit of quality here, something happens in the game there and it turns it your way or their way.

“We inherited a group of players who were probably a little bit low on confidence and we’ve tried to instil that in them and those players have turned around and responded really well.

“It’s to their credit that they’ve been able to do that and put themselves in the position where they are now.

“Obviously last season’s agenda was different to where we find ourselves now. We have improved, I think the signings in the summer and the work that we’ve done with the team have shown a steady progression. And I think we are where we are on merit.”

Photo: Action Images

DiamondGezzer added 07:51 - Feb 15 Very calm and very sensible. A big thankyou to Mick and TC for the stability we now have. No fireworks but a gradual progression. That'll do for me !
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WorcesterBlue added 09:54 - Feb 15 Yes a big ask but if we are able to use SEB and the loanees positively and play some more attacking football then we might go on the kind of run that sees us through. We've been punching well above our weight imo but finally look to have a top half team so who knows. The football is fairly dire but can't complain about the results.
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coolcat added 09:59 - Feb 15 Sensible and realistic, I've always thought. MM & TC have done a great job. Lasting success takes time to build. In last game impressed the way MM and TC were rallying on the team on sidelines when 2-0 down.
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Mark added 11:00 - Feb 15 It's all about the direction of travel for me. Relegation battlers last year, pushing for the top six this year...promotion condenders next year? I think that with Mick and Terry in charge, we will make the play-offs next season. We have Category 1 academy to look forward to over the coming years and the club can have a bright future. We just need to get the ticketing right and fill Portman Road more, as more bums on seats making noise would surely help our promotion aims.

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