Boss Mick McCarthy admits it will be something of a relief to head into Sunday's final game of the season with former club Sunderland (4pm kick off)without the "gut-wrenching and heart-pounding" feeling of needing a result to avoid relegation.
But Mick will still be demanding the highest standard from his team with the possibility of a 14th place finish still up for grabs.
He has again admitted the feeling of clinching survival - while in his opinion a greater achievement than winning the Championship title - wasn't greeted with the same euphoria.
"I have mixed emotions about it," he said.
"There is a real sense of pride and satisfaction and the amount of people who keep telling me what a great achievement it is nice.
"It hasn't really sunk in.
"I had a really strange feeling when it happened.
"It was almost an anti-climax that that gut wrenching, heart pounding feeling had gone. I am glad it has now and I am glad I don't have that for Sunday, I really am.
"It is a bigger achievement than winning the Championship.
"It just doesn't feel like it, celebrating 17th, 16th, 15th, 14th spot wherever
we end up.
"Last season was wound up to a crescendo of winning the Championship
and it is almost feels like you have wound down to staying in the
league which seems barmy when it is a bigger achievement.
"But I can't help that - I am thrilled and delighted with it but it is still a strange thing."
The boss once again locks horns with a Sunderland side for whom he enjoyed three very happy years as manager.
They too have something to aim for, with tenth place at stake, and Mick expects a tough afternoon in prospect.
"Sunderland can finish 10th so that is a something for them to play for," the boss added.
"It looked like they were going to do it comfortably when they started.
"We lost 5-2 up there but anyone who saw that game will know it was the most ridiculous result ever.
"They were scoring goals then and it looked like they were going to have a great season.
"But they went through a lean spell and have come back again and if they finish tenth then Steve will be delighted with that.
"That will be a real achievement for them - they are a real solid team and they
have got some good players."
Mick has revealed he won't be making many changes for Sunday's game, and has Matt Jarvis available again after his thigh injury.
