IT’S time to get serious.

That is the message from new Blues number one Scott Loach who spent the summer dreaming of completing his move to boyhood club Ipswich – and then excitedly putting pen to paper last month.

Loach was already guaranteed a great reception from the same Super Blues he once cheered alongside while at the club’s academy.

But the 24-year-old, a �150,000 signing from Watford, knows that being a Town fan won’t necessarily pave the way to winning medals at Portman Road.

He insisted: “I didn’t just come here because I am a fan – I came here because it is a bigger club and I need to step up to the plate.

“I want to show people what I can do. Because I came through the ranks at Watford, I felt I was always treated as the young lad.

“But I am coming to Ipswich as a man. I am here to do a job and become an important person in this team.

“Of course, I want clean sheets, but they are a bonus. For me, it is all about winning Saturday and getting this team up the league.”

Loach made more than 160 appearances for Watford but had no hesitation in making a cut-price switch to Ipswich.

He made his competitive debut against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night and will make his Championship bow in Saturday’s season-opener at home to Blackburn.

Ironically, he believes the man who could have become Ipswich number one – Tomasz Kuszczak – has played a big part in making him a better keeper.

Kuszczak replaced Loach at Watford last season before opting for Brighton over Ipswich this summer.

Loach admitted: “Bringing in Tomasz was actually a blessing in disguise for me. I had played for four years running and I think it was showing a bit.

“Tomasz came in and I have great admiration for him as he really spent a lot of time working with me. He made me a better person as well as a better goalkeeper.”

* Meanwhile, Town’s second round match at Carlisle United in the Capital One Cup will be played on Tuesday, August 28 (7.45pm ko), it was confirmed today.