Centre-half Christophe Berra says the Blues have to get back to being difficult to score against and stop conceding sloppy goals, Vanarama National League leaders Lincoln City having been the latest side to profit from Town defensive errors during Saturday’s 2-2 FA Cup third round draw at Portman Road. Earlier in the season the Blues went on a run where they kept seven clean sheets in 11 matches.
"It was a scrappy game and to them it was a cup final,” Berra, the stand-in skipper in the absence of captain Luke Chambers, reflected on a game the Blues would have lost but for Tom Lawrence’s 86th minute strike, his second goal of the match
"They are top of their league and flying high so they came here full of confidence and that’s a huge thing.
"They are a full-time outfit so were very fit and we had to match that. We did that but they got a couple of goals, which were poor as far as we are concerned.
"All credit to them, they deserved the draw and it is all thanks to Tom that we were able to get a draw. That’s football.
"There are always highs and lows in football and at the moment we are suffering more lows.”
He added: "These kinds of game always create upsets and that could have happened but we were able to prevent that.
"It is a one-off game and it was difficult. We have not been as consistent as we have been in the past.
"Winning games breeds confidence and we have not won enough games. The fans are not enjoying it and that comes across. Lincoln fans were outstanding and really got behind the team.
"As a player you always want to do well in the FA Cup, in all competitions really, and you want to win trophies, but the league is your bread and butter. The further down the league you go the harder that is.”
Looking ahead to the replay at Sincil Bank a week tomorrow, Berra said: "They want to get to the Football League are flying high. It will be a different game at their place. They will be expected to do well and expecting a cup shock.
"We will need to play as well as we can and be more consistent. We need to get back to being difficult to score against.
"We have a good team here and we need to show that. We went on a great run of clean sheets earlier in the season, and we need to get back to doing that.
"Recently we have been conceding crappy goals and yet we still have the eighth best defensive record in the league.
"Clearly something is good about us but we are giving away sloppy goals, or sometimes unfortunate goals.
"People will say it is the back four but it is not always the case, although we will take it on the chin.
"There is pressure in every game, especially for defensive players because we don’t want to make a mistake. Attacking players can go out and express themselves so it is different.
"Speaking personally, I want to do well and I will go home and evaluate every game.”
Lincoln’s two-goal striker, Theo Robinson, said Saturday was one of the best days of his career.
"It’s right up there,” he said. "It was a great team performance and we were unfortunate not to get the win.
"It was a great strike from Lawrence because before that we were soaking the pressure up and I really thought we could hold on and win it.
"I could have had a hat-trick and that would have been a good personal thing, but the most important thing is we got the draw and we are in the draw for the next round. It is a case of going back to our ground now and getting the result.
"We have gone up against a Championship team and almost beaten them. We can take that into our league games and if we can play like that every game we should, we will do well for the rest of the season.”
Regarding the 4,838-strong Imps travelling support, the former Derby frontman said: "It was an emotional atmosphere. I have played in front of big crowds before but the Lincoln fans made this special.”
Robinson says he’s not yet thinking too much about the fourth round with the draw later today.
"We have to win the game against Ipswich first,” he continued. "The draw will give us a push so hopefully it will be a big team like Liverpool or Arsenal as I have never played at their grounds.”
Meanwhile, Town's U23s are in action against Colchester United at Playford Road this afternoon (KO 1pm).