Tommy Smith believes his central defensive partnership with Christophe Berra is almost as good as the one he had with Luke Chambers

Smith and Chambers kept 12 clean sheets in the final 22 league games of the 2012/13 campaign as the Blues ground out the points required to pull away from the relegation zone.

That partnership was broken up after the Blues lost four of their opening five matches of this season though, Chambers moved to right-back and new signing Berra put in alongside Smith.

The duo have got better and better playing together as the season has progressed, with Tuesday night’s 1-0 win at Yeovil the fifth clean sheet in nine matches.

Indeed, Town have not conceded at Portman Road in more than six hours of football ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Championship top-six rivals Wigan.

“I think we’ve developed quite a good partnership there,” said Smith, who has started all but three of the last 70 games in all competitions.

“It was a good partnership I had with Chambo (Luke Chambers) so it was going to be tough to match that, but we’re getting close to that now.

“Christophe brings a wealth of experience to the side, with his Premier League (Wolves) and international (Scotland) experience, so it’s great to be playing alongside him.

“I’ve had a good run in the team and my confidence is really high at the moment. Long may that continue.”

New Zealand international Smith has scored three goals this season, while Berra took his tally to four with the winner at Huish Park on Tuesday night.

Smith, who flicked on the corner in the lead-up to the goal, joked: “I think that’s twice I’ve set up Bez for a goal now so he owes me a couple now!”

Wigan required an 88th minute penalty to beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at home on Wednesday night.

The seventh-placed Latics – into the FA Cup semi-finals following their recent win over Manchester City – have won their last seven matches in all competitions.