Keeper Scott Loach hopes he gave manager Mick McCarthy a selection headache after making a number of important saves and keeping a clean sheet during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Blackpool. The 25-year-old, who was making his first league start since August, thwarted Seasiders’ midfielder Faris Haroun on three occasions.
Loach admitted that the Blues had dropped two points: "I would say so because at home we should be making this a fortress and winning games. But the flip-side of that is that we have been hard to beat again and we are still unbeaten.
"Another team has come here and they have not managed to beat Ipswich so that's still sending a message out that we are resilient."
The former Watford man was pleased with his second clean sheet in eight appearances this season, having only discovered he was in the side two hours before kick-off after first-choice Dean Gerken suffered a neck problem.
"I just want to play games," he continued. "That was my main aim. I'm happy to get back in and hopefully have given the manager a headache.
"I found out at one o'clock I was playing. Unfortunately for Gerks - I'm not sure what he's done - but he was a little bit stiff.
"I had to get my mind on it but to be fair I had my mind on it all week because I always have to prepare for anything happening in the first five minutes."
Loach admits he’s not happy as a second-string keeper: "Gerks has done well, he's done fine, but I just want to play games. I was fortunate enough to play a lot of games at Watford and I don't want to get into that mode of being a number two.
"I have had to wait for my turn, which I have done, and hopefully I have left the gaffer with a little problem.
"It's up to him where he goes from there but the main thing from my point of view is that I have shown everyone what I can do and am not just happy sitting on the bench.”
Does he feel he did enough against Blackpool to keep his place? "That's not my decision. I could say yes because I've done well but I could also say no because Gerks has done well consistently. It's the gaffer's choice and he's do what he sees fit.
"I'm ready to play but if not there will have to be a conversation to see where I go from here, but I'm not going to spit my dummy out. I'm going to keep working hard because that's what will hurt me the most, sitting around sulking.
"Last season I still ended up playing 25 games, probably shared equally with Hendo. I don't want to be a number two. I want to continue to play games, progress and show people.
"I'm not being big-headed but I was in the England U21 squad and played 130-odd games for Watford and you don't do that if you are a bad keeper. I believe in myself and have to do that a lot more now.”
He added: "I'm not one to spit my dummy out and say 'I want to leave'. Just look around me - I'm at a great club and next game it could be me or not be me now.
"You never know who is at games or needs a keeper on loan but I always believe if you have the right attitude you will get your rewards in the long run.”