Midfielder Kevin Bru says Town will have to take the traditional approach of concentrating on the league and next week’s home game against Leeds following Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup third round defeat to Sheffield United at Portman Road. It’s a position the Blues, who won the competition 40 years ago this season, have become accustomed to in recent years having failed to progress past the third round stage for eight successive campaigns.
"We tried but they were just too good,” the Mauritius international admitted afterwards.
"It would have been good to win but now we have to concentrate on the next game and the league. They were a good team and it was a good game.”
Nathan Thomas scored the game’s only goal, the midfielder lashing home from 25 yards in the 25th minute.
"The difference today was a quality goal,” Bru continued. "We pushed on in the second half but couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net.
"It’s disappointing, but on a personal note I feel good and it’s nice to be getting some games, of course you want to win though.
"We have to win for ourselves and for the fans so hopefully we can do that next week at home to Leeds.”
Manager Mick McCarthy made six changes from the side which lost 4-1 at Fulham last Tuesday but still fielded an experienced team, while the Blades named a more youthful side having made eight switches of personnel.
"The gaffer put out a good team and I can’t explain why we were not able to win,” Bru continued.
Blues keeper Bartosz Bialkowski was the subject of interest from Crystal Palace last week although, as reported on Saturday, we understand the Eagles have cooled in their pursuit of former Poland U20 international having moved their focus to another on their list of potential signings, Getafe’s Vicente Guaita, for the moment at least.
"He made some good saves again today but that’s his job,” Bru said of Bialkowski. "We know he is a good goalkeeper and he kept it at just 1-0.
"He is definitely good enough to play in the Premier League and we know Premier League clubs are interested in him so we will see what happens and if he stays.
"He would be a big miss for us, he has been a big player for us for three years now. He is a good lad, we have good dressing room with many good lads.”
Bru himself looked set to leave the Blues in the summer but a deadline day switch to Toulouse fell through.
The 29-year-old, whose Town contract is up in the summer, although with the club having the usual option to keep him for a further year, appeared certain to move on in January but the Blues’ lengthy list of midfield absentees could see him stay for the rest of the campaign.
"I have six months left so we will see what happens in the next few weeks,” Bru reflected.
"It is the same for everyone, all we can do is concentrate on what is happening now.”
Leeds, sixth in the Championship, six places and seven points ahead of the Blues, also exited the FA Cup this weekend after losing 2-1 away against League Two Newport County on Sunday afternoon.
The Whites will be without midfielder Samuel Sáiz, who was red-carded late on for spitting at Newport’s Robbie Willmott.
Meanwhile, Town’s U23s play their first match of 2018 away against Palace this afternoon (KO 1pm). The game takes place at their Copers Cope training ground with fans not able to attend.