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.”

Photo: Action Images

village_blue added 07:14 - Feb 17 I think that Scott will be dropped for the next match if Dean is passed fully fit. Scott imho did nothing wrong in Saturdays match and I think that his distribution is better than Deans and he's a better shot stopper as well, the only thing that let Scott down is failing to deal with high balls into the box and claiming them instead of shouting to his defenders to get the ball away.

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bluefeast added 07:26 - Feb 17 No one is happy being a number two. Apart from Dave Constipation who is delighted.
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miltonsnephew added 07:58 - Feb 17 That was a s**t joke!!
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JimmyJazz added 08:21 - Feb 17 If MM is smart about ths he'll keep Loach in goal and expect us to lose anyway - regardless of who is in goal - then he can bring back Gerken.
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AlwaysBlue213 added 08:48 - Feb 17 Loach didn't do anything wrong on Saturday and fully deserves to stay between the sticks.
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hampstead_blue added 09:01 - Feb 17 He saved us from a defeat. He was very good indeed.
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Jon_456 added 09:20 - Feb 17 Unfortunately I think he'll be dropped for Gerken on Saturday, McCarthy seems to have his favourites and think loach has been unlucky this year. Same applies for Taylor, no matter how well he plays in a game, McCarthy never gives him a proper chance and can see him leaving in the summer.
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tractorboydan added 10:59 - Feb 17 Unfortunately for Loach I think Gerks is MM's favourite, and if he is passed fit for Leicester on saturday then he will get the nod. I hope I'm wrong. I'm a big fan of Loach's (not that I'm not of Gerks) and he played fantastically well on Saturday, making 3 or 4 really decent saves, so he deserves to keep his place - that's how it would work with any outfield played, and it is how it worked when Loachy was off his best early on in the season.

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theobald1985 added 11:07 - Feb 17 it would be terribly unfair if loach was dropped. gerkin has been forgiven mistakes that loach would have been dropped for some mcarthy has already shown favoritism it that respect so would not suprise me if he starts with gerkin even though its obvious to everybody else loach should keep his place
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theblueginger added 12:55 - Feb 17 I must admit i was worried when the team was called...he played very well. Loach is a very good keeper some of the time...but Gerken is consistently solid all of the time.....
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Garv added 23:57 - Feb 17 I prefer Loach to be honest, and he deserves to keep his place. Gerken has made mistakes and still kept his place, Loach saved us the game so should get the same treatment.
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