The Super Blues’ supporters are in doubt who their number one is.

Now Scott Loach has been left hoping his man-of-the-match FA Cup display will be enough to win Mick McCarthy over for the rest of the season.

Loach was a star man in his first competitive match in three months as the brave Blues bowed out of the FA Cup at Aston Villa.

Town took the lead through an Eric Lichaj own goal, moments after Loach made the first of a number of great saves to keep the Premier League side at bay.

But he was powerless to deny former Town favourite Darren Bent and then a bullet header from Andreas Wiemann to ensure there was no shock at Villa Park.

Now all eyes will be on McCarthy’s actions in the rest of the January transfer window – with the existing loan deal of Loach’s main rival, Stephen Henderson, ending next weekend.

“I was delighted to be picked and hopefully I can put something in his (McCarthy’s) mind when it comes to team selection,” reflected Loach.

“He told me before the game that this was my chance to prove myself to him.

“I’m not going to get carried away after making a few saves. I am a goalkeeper, if I don’t make saves I wouldn’t have a job.

“I feel like I did enough against Villa. But I am not about to get excited and think I have done enough to play against Cardiff.”

Henderson has faced a tough time winning over supporters who loved the fact a boyhood Blues fan – Loach – signed for them in the summer from Watford.

But the West Ham loan keeper has played a big part in Town’s upturn of fortune under McCarthy.

Loach said: “I know we have been on a good run and Hendo has had a big part to play in that.

“He has been a great player to be with.

“All I can do is keep doing my extra bit with Malcolm Webster (Town goalkeeping coach) and when I get the chance like today, I have to make sure I take it.”

When asked if Loach’s performance had given him something of a selection dilemma for Saturday’s trip to Championship table-toppers Cardiff, he would only say: “He acquitted himself well.”