DAVID MIRFIN is the very epitome of modesty.
Town's only ever-present central defender this season, the 19-year-old is still reluctant to take praise.
Asked about his form and his contribution this season, he quickly points to the quality of his colleagues.
"Anyone would enjoy playing alongside people like Efe Sodje, Steve Yates and Nathan Clarke," he said, diverting attention from his own excellent string of reliable performances.
"I'm just delighted to have played in every game, which is something I couldn't really have expected with the centre-backs we've got on the books.
"It's just great to be playing in the first team and, when we get results like last Sunday's against Hull, it's even more enjoyable.
"All the defence were delighted with the clean sheet, especially Ian Gray, who I thought was on top form on the day.
"Obviously our hearts sank when they were awarded their penalty, but Trigger (Gray) made a great save, matched it by stopping a header a few minutes later and then made sure we held them at bay.
"You can't ask for much more than a clean sheet and a big win in a derby match, especially against a team who are expected to be among the promotion challengers at the end of the season."
Mirfin joins wing-backs Andy Holdsworth and Rob Edwards and midfielder Jon Worthington as manager Peter Jackson's only ever-presents.
It's an illustration of how the manager has shuffled his options in an effort to find what looks to be the right winning formula.
But it's also a tribute to the consistency of all four players yet to miss a game.
Mirfin may be the youngest player in the senior side, but his maturity on the pitch shines through.
Physically strong - his teammates call him The Ox - he is rarely beaten in the tackle and reads the game well, enabling him to mark or sweep.
His attitude, too, is spot on and Mirfin - a Sheffield United supporter - is determined Town can do well this season.
"We are very focused on having another good year," he explained.
"After the way things went for us at Doncaster, we went into the Hull game feeling we had to put things right for our fans.
"They paid good money to follow us on the Bank Holiday - our support is excellent wherever we go - and we let them down, so it was important against Hull to show them we had spirit and the capability to do really well.
"Anything can happen because we are only just settling into the season. We obviously did really well last time and you only have to look at what Doncaster have done with successive promotions to realise we can do it as well."
Jackson is delighted with Mirfin, who hasn't missed a start since March when he originally replaced Steve Yates and then took the place vacated by an injured Clarke.
In addition to becoming a key member of the defence, Mirfin scored a crucial goal in the 3-2 home win against Scunthorpe and then a priceless winner in the play-off semi-final first leg against Lincoln at Sincil Bank.
"Mirf has been very consistent since breaking into the side, which is rare for someone so young," said Jackson. "Rarely does he have a poor game and he can play both as a centre-back and, like last weekend, as a sweeper.
"He's good in the air, showing tremendous strength, and he has got a lot more pace than people give him credit for.
"For someone so big, he is very quick indeed and, as I've said before, I think he's capable of achieving anything he wants in his career. He can go right to the top if he wants to."
TOWN Reserves are back in action on Wednesday in the Pontin's Holidays Division I (East).
John Dungworth's side play Grimsby at Blundell Park (2.00), looking to make up for this week's 2-1 home defeat against Scunthorpe.
