With the chips down for Jim Magilton, he surprised us all by bringing Ivan Campo back from unblocking his drains, or whatever else he's being doing on match days while he's been out in the wilderness, to play two games in three games over Christmas.

Not only did the Champions League winner return but in his old position of centre-back, which we all assumed he was too old and too slow to play in any more.

Although he looked off the pace at times, his distribution was a refreshing change to Gareth McAuley and Richard Naylor's lumps up the pitch and in three hours of football we only conceded a single goal and that was from a freakish penalty.

Whether this was just a mere cameo for Campo only time will tell but if he was to galvanise the long-awaited Town winning-streak that saves Jim's bacon there will be a certain poetic justice.

Because if Magilton is giving his marching orders in the coming days, weeks or months it will be his transfer record in the last year that will be most popular stick to beat him with.

And up until last week, Campo would have been the first name on critics' lips as example of how Magilton 'wasted Marcus' millions'.

Although he did not cost a fee, the former Spanish international's wages are believed to be £10,000-plus a week – a large sum for a player who did not make our 16 for the last two months.

Campo is not the only Town player, who Magilton must be hoping repays his faith in signing them.

If Campo was the first exhibit brought by the prosecution, then Kevin Lisbie would no doubt be the second.

Town fans waited with bated breath to see who our 20-goal season summer signing would be but when it was the man from down the A12 everyone was suitably underwhelmed and we have seen nothing to change our thoughts since.

Interestingly Jim has brought him back into the fray in recent weeks and was rewarded with a brace from Lisbie at Coventry but two blanks since.

These are just two players who have underperformed but let's face it there is a strong argument that all these players owe their boss. Even the ever-improving David Norris has not given us the gold standard performances you would expect for his £2m price tag.

Magilton showed faith in them, now it is time for them to repay him.

Because if they don't and Magilton is dismissed, I don't think there would be too many 'bigger clubs' picking them up if a new man comes in and decides to shake it up.