Scott Loach has reflected on his Ipswich career to date and in particular his failure to retain his status as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Loach, who used to be in the Playford Road academy and supported Town as a youngster before returning to his native Nottingham, was signed by former manager Paul Jewell from Watford in July 2012.
He started the season as first choice but was dropped by Jewell following a costly error in the 2-1 home defeat by Cardiff City on October 6th and replaced by on-loan West Ham keeper Stephen Henderson.
Loach recalled: "I was disappointed when I got dropped for Hendo because it was my first mistake in an Ipswich shirt. I thought that was a bit unlucky but I’ve got to admit that Hendo came in and was brilliant.
"It’s frustrating but you kind of see why they stick with him. If someone’s playing well you can’t really take him out of the team. Again, he was another great lad to work with and it was difficult to get back in.”
By the time Loach next appeared in Town’s starting line-up, for the FA Cup third round defeat at Aston Villa in January last year, Mick McCarthy had succeeded Jewell.
Loach added: "When I did get back I felt I finished the season well, but the gaffer’s got to do what he feels is right at the time and if you look back you’ve got to say it has worked for him.
"He changed a few of us around and since the home game against Leeds earlier this season we have gone, maybe, from relegation battlers to promotion potentials. It’s frustrating in that respect but at the same time I’m pleased to be part of a great squad.”
Loach is aware that tonight’s FA Cup third round replay could see him crowned a hero, especially if the tie goes to a penalty shoot-out and Town win through.
He said: "I haven’t been practising penalties but as a goalkeeper I enjoy it. You’ve got nothing to lose really. Some of the lads do take penalties in training but we’ll be trying to win the game in 90 minutes.
"I’ve never played in a penalty shoot-out but my penalty record is not bad here. I’m not going to mention it at Watford, though, because I don’t think I saved one. But that’s part of my work and I think I’ve got quicker since then.
"I’ve got to give credit to [goalkeeper-coach] Malcolm Webster who works with us a lot on our speed and agility. I don’t want to say too much because if it goes to penalties I won’t save one so I just want to brush that aside.”
But regardless of tonight’s outcome Loach has played his part in Town’s progress under McCarthy, last season’s survival in the Championship giving way to a far healthier state of affairs in the current campaign.
He added: "It’s nice to see where we are now, especially after what happened last season. We were winning but then we were looking at the results and it seemed we had to keep winning and winning to keep ourselves safe.
"Now we’re looking at the table and thinking ‘If we win we’ll go sixth’ — it’s good in that way — but we’re not getting too excited. We lost to QPR but we regroup and start again, and hopefully another long unbeaten run will start again at Preston.”