It is one of football’s most popular sayings — it’s a squad game — but the point has been amply illustrated by Town in recent weeks.

Manager Mick McCarthy has had to make enforced changes to his starting line-up, either because defenders Tyrone Mings and Christophe Berra were serving one-game bans or the likes of on-loan midfielder Jonny Williams was ruled out because of injury, but no matter the reason it has done nothing to halt the momentum.

Skipper Luke Chambers said: “We were talking about this earlier because everyone that has come into the side, even when there’s been as many as half a dozen changes, has made a statement.

"There’s Jay Tabb, Kevin Bru, who has made a big impact since his arrival, Teddy Bishop is another one…there are so many options now.

“Skusey missed a couple of games and then came straight back in but the boys who came in for him were different class — and the thing that hasn’t changed is that we’ve been winning games. Bart came in for Gerks and he has done very well.

“It’s just brilliant that we have so many players who are at the same sort of level, give or take, and those who are coming in are performing very, very well.”

Polish goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski, in particular, has seized his chance after replacing the injured Dean Gerken, keeping three clean sheets in a five-game sequence of four wins and a draw, and Chambers has been impressed by the ex-Notts County man’s form.

He added: “Bart had to bide his time and since getting his chance he has done very well. But they have a great camaraderie, him and Gerks, and Gerks made it pretty clear that if he had been in the same position it’s very difficult to leave Bart out.

“I think you’ve got to mention that Gerks has been brilliant for us from the minute he’s walked in the door.

“It’s very unfortunate that he’s found himself out of the team but while he’ll secretly be a bit gutted at the minute — he obviously wants to be playing week in, week out — with the team doing so well I think he’ll be happy that we’re achieving what we are.”

Photo: Action Images

hoppy added 13:40 - Dec 5 “Skusey missed a couple of games and then came straight back in but the boys who came in for him were different class..." Has that been edited? or was it just 'different class' this time instead of the full 'live on TV' version?
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Paulblue62 added 15:13 - Dec 5 Mick is building probably the best squad of players we have had since our last promotion season. I can only see good times ahead. Been a while since any of us have been able to say that.
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