The superstitious Andy Robinson may like doing things in threes at Swansea City, but it's Leon Britton who is benefiting from the club's new three-pronged philosophy.
The pocket dynamo seems to be the one who has benefited the most from manager Roberto Martinez's new three-man central midfield.
Having been moved inside from his usual wide right role, Britton has been turning in some outstanding displays alongside Darren Pratley and Ferrie Bodde in the middle of the park.
He had the crowd chanting his name in admiration at home to Port Vale and he picked up the man-of-the-match award four days later at home to Crewe.
"I'm enjoying my new role in the middle,'' beamed Britton. "It's a change of position for me from wide right, but I'm really enjoying it.
"I'm still learning the position, but I think the three of us have built up a good understanding and we tend to cover each other.
"The manager hasn't given us specific roles, apart from the fact that Ferrie tends to be the one that drops a bitter deeper, because he wants us to inter-change as much as possible.
"I think our different styles compliment each other. Ferrie protects the back four very well and his range of passing, short or long, is top quality - the best I've seen in this league.
"Prats is very good on the ball; athletic and full of energy. In fact I don't think I've ever played with someone with so much energy.
"I think he's really benefited from the switch to the three-man midfield. At the start of the season we only played two in there and it was difficult for him to drive forward.
"With most teams coming to the Liberty with five across the middle, it was difficult for him to find space in front of him. That's why we tended to go across the field a lot more.
"Now things have opened up for him and some of his powerful runs forward have been a joy to watch - don't tell him though - and he's got himself on the scoresheet a lot more. And he certainly likes his goals the way he celebrates!
While both Pratley and Bodde have netted five times so far this season, Britton's only goal came in the 6-2 win over Horsham in the FA Cup second round replay at the Liberty.
"Finishing is part of my game I need to work on,'' he admitted, "even if it's just to keep Prats quiet.
"Unfortunately, with so many games recently, it's difficult to put in the extra work on the training ground at the moment. It's just a case of playing and concentrating on the recovery process.
"I know it's something I'm going to have to do though as I want to chip in with a few more goals.
"It's important when we play with one central striker that the midfield three don't leave him isolated. We've got to get up there and support him; get beyond him and break into the box as much as we can.''
Listening to Britton talk about the game, it's not difficult to conclude that the 25-year-old is enjoying his football. And after putting pen to paper on a new three-year deal in the summer that will keep him at the club until 2010, that's good news for Swans fans everywhere.
"I've been settled at the club since the very first day I arrived at the Vetch on loan,'' added the former West Ham midfielder. "I was more than happy to commit myself to the club for another three years.''
Britton first joined the Swans on loan from West Ham in December 2002. Having started his Hammers career playing and training alongside the likes of Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe, Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand and Paolo DiCanio, Britton became an instant hit with the Vetch Field faithful who were delighted the move became permanent the following summer.
But having become a regular in Brian Flynn's side, Britton found himself playing a bit part under Kenny Jackett before the move to the Liberty saw him blossom.
Britton bounced back to become a regular under the former manager and is now one of the first names on Roberto Martinez's team-sheet.
"It's great to be playing regular,'' he added. "I had a bit of a slow start to the season after picking up an injury against Cheltenham that knocked me back six or seven weeks.
"Then it took me a few games to get used to the three-man midfield, even though I was central midfielder from the age of eight through to my West Ham days. But I'm happy with my form now.''
Currently in his sixth season in a Swansea shirt, Britton is enjoying himself more than ever.
Having settled in the area, he became a family man last year with the birth of his first child, Lily.
"Fatherhood is certainly a new experience,'' he adds with a wry smile. "The added responsibility makes you more mature.
"There is a down side though,'' he joked. "The win bonuses go on nappies, while the spare room gets used a lot more now in order to catch up on my sleep!''
Britton must be feasting regularly on Lily's supply of Farley's Rusks as well, as he seems to have added an extra bite to his game.
Having thrown himself into some tough tackles against Port Vale and Crewe recently, his brave approach brought roars of approval from the appreciative Liberty crowd.
Chants of 'Leon, Leon, Leon' reverberated from every corner of the Liberty, especially the vocal East Stand.
"The fans were brilliant with us in the two home games against Port Vale and Crewe,'' he pointed out.
"It would have been easy for them to have had a go at us after the disappointment in the FA Cup. But they really got behind us, something the players really appreciated.
"All the players like to hear the crowd behind them, including me. It was great to hear the fans chanting my name; it gives you a boost. When you are feeling tired it gives you an extra lift.
"The other two (Pratley and Bodde) get enough of the headlines anyway, so it was nice to get a bit of attention,'' he joked.
But on a serious not, Britton firmly believes the squad has put the Havant horror behind them now. And apart from the possibility of a Wembley bonus in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, the squad is firmly focused on one goal only - promotion to the Championship.
"Winning promotion to the Championship will be a much bigger achievement than a one-off trip to Anfield,'' he pointed out. "If we can clinch promotion, I can guarantee you that Havant won't get a mention.
"But the players know that there is still a long way to go with a few twists and turns along the way. We've put ourselves in a great position at the top of the league, but with 19 league games to go anything can happen.
"We've built ourselves a solid foundation in the first half of the season, now we've got to apply the finishing touches in the second.
"From the very first day we reported back for pre-season training, our aim has been to clinch a place in the Championship - and nothing has changed.
"We are edging closer, but we've got to keep our standards up and add to our points tally. We've got to keep our feet on the floor, while also maintaining the belief that we can win games - both home and away.
"It's all about us now. We're not thinking about other teams or who we have to face. We are all just concentrating on ourselves, doing things the right way and playing the way we can because we know that's what has got us to where we are at the moment.
"You could argue that every game is a big game from now until the end of the season so we can't worry who we are playing.
"There's so much belief among the lads now it really doesn't matter.''
And as one of the longest serving Swans players, Britton will also use his experience to offer a bit of advice to the new boys in the squad.
Having been top of the table in their first season at the Liberty two years ago only to slip away and just sneak into the play-offs, eventually losing out to Barnsley in the final, Britton warns: "A lot of the players who were here then have pointed this out the the new lads.
"It wasn't a very nice experience to go through and we don't want a repeat. But we know what's expected of us to make sure it doesn't happen again.
"We'll be making sure nobody gets carried away until we actually achieve something."
But with the finishing line on the horizon, Britton and the boys want to get the job done as quick as they can.
INTERVIEW: Jonathan Wilsher
