Town defender Christophe Berra acknowledges the huge vote of confidence from boss Mick McCarthy that has made him ever-present this season.

Berra has only missed a handful of games since he arrived at Portman Road in July 2013 but the summer arrival of Adam Webster from Portsmouth meant he was under more pressure than ever before to hang on to his first team place.

McCarthy selected Webster for the first game of the season, relegating Tommy Smith to the bench but admitting it was “a toss of the coin” decision as to whether Smith or Berra made way for the 21-year-old new boy.

Asked if he was worried about being the odd one out, Berra said: “It’s part and parcel of football and you learn to just get on with it.

“I know my ability so I just keep my head down and try to play as consistently as I can, which is what I think I’ve done. That’s all I can do and that’s your job if you’re a sportsman.”

Berra denied he was confident of receiving the nod ahead of Smith but added: “I’m not saying I’m confident but I’m quite laid-back and just get on with things.

“It’s football and I’m not going to lose sleep over it. I just come out and train well and try to play well also.

“As you get older in the game you learn how to deal with the ups and downs, as well as how to accept them.

“If I don’t play well or I make a mistake I’m the kind of guy who will speak to my parents and friends about it but I’ve learned you have to move on and that nothing can be gained from dwelling on it.

“If you did dwell on it you would have demons in your head basically all the time. As a defender, especially, it’s part and parcel of football.

“When goals are conceded it’s the defenders who take the blame — that’s the way it is and you’ve got to be thick-skinned.

“There are going to be times in any season when I am going to be at fault for goals scored against us and it’s the same for every defender right across the world.

“It doesn’t matter what club you play for — when goals are conceded it will be the fault of one of the defenders or a case of ‘could have done better’. But it’s a job we have to do and in my case I just get on with it.

“On a personal note, I am happy with my form so far this season. Being a centre-half is about being consistent and I think I’ve done that really.”

Asked to comment on Webster’s displays this season — the pair played a major part in keeping a clean sheet in Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Derby — Berra said: “He did well the other night at Derby and he’s done well in the previous games he played.

“Obviously, there’s things happened in the past but he’s only 21 and hopefully he’s only going to get better and progress as time goes on.

“I try to help and organise the people around me, the full-backs and the central midfielders basically, and I make sure he’s covering in the right positions.

“Adam’s only 21 and hopefully he can only get better. He did well at Derby and the press are sure building him up.

“Hopefully they won’t put too much pressure on his back. It’s early days yet but he’s done well, while all the boys around him have also done well and that has made it easier for us all at the back.”

Berra also had praise for goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski, whose impressive run of form stretches back several months.

“Bart’s a good shot-stopper and he has made vital saves at vital times for us,” said Berra. “That’s what goalkeepers are for and it’s the same at a lot of clubs in this division.

“Bart has shown he is a top keeper and he has been consistent, which is another key factor.

“It’s especially important for keepers to hit form. When you are in the team it’s hard for the number two keeper to get in. Gerks [Dean Gerken] was unlucky to drop out of the side through injury or illness.

“It has happened a few times between them over the past couple of seasons, one of them dropping out and it having nothing to do with form, and when the other guy has come in he’s done well.”

Photo: TWTD

The_Romford_Blue added 06:03 - Sep 16 Thought Berra was disappointing last season but has started well this season. Nice to have 3 quality CBs at this level fighting over 2 positions.
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Dissboyitfc added 06:10 - Sep 16 when you have friends in high places picking the team of course you will keep your place!
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Len_Brennan added 07:03 - Sep 16 @Dissboyitfc : I normally agree with what you post, but I think yoh've got this one wrong. Over his time here Berra has been the best defender we have. Apart form a run of poor form during last season, he has been excellent for us. He could & possibly should have been dropped last season, but with Malarczyk & Yorwerth the possible replacements (as Tommy was playing) I don't think you could place him in the Mick's favourites category. He absolutely has justified his selection at all other times, including now.

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Gerkens_In_A_Pickle added 07:13 - Sep 16 Although Berra had his moments last season, I still believe he is our best defender at the club and has man to man marked quality championship strikers very well- we've relied on him a lot at times.
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BlueNomad added 07:59 - Sep 16 Dissboy your negativity must make you very unhappy. So far today you have slagged off an international defender who has been outstanding for us at times and a manager who has taken a team to the knock out stages of the WC. As for favourites - you are going to pick those who have proved reliable over a period of time. Please let us know how many caps you have and tell us about your UEFA-Pro course because you seem to have that level of expertise.

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grumpyoldman added 08:10 - Sep 16 Berra could have been dropped last season when his form dropped, we have a spare centre back playing a right back who could have played there, that would have allowed a young natural right back a chance. Agree Berra is our best central defender but should have been dropped last year.
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TimmyH added 08:29 - Sep 16 Thought Berra was fairly poor last season but has started this one better but does it make that much differece when you have a piece missing out of the jigsaw i.e. Right Back. Overall Berra has generally been good signing and certainly hints there that maybe his last season for us!
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runningout added 10:02 - Sep 16 a good trait is never to be content with form.... Always be clinical on the pitch
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BackTheBlues added 14:44 - Sep 16 He must be joking? I like Berra but he is in severe decline. He is constantly losing his man / the worst offender for lumping the ball long / and is becoming a liability at the back! And I'm not the only fan saying it - all the commentators are saying it as well! Would be playing Chambers and Webster at the back with Emmanuel at RB personally.
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