Cup exit undoubtedly a blow to players short of minutes

[Getty Images] Six points from Ipswich Town's opening four Premier League games, which have included both a win at home and away, is a return I am certain the majority of Blues supporters would have settled for before kick-off against Sunderland last month. A win in the Carabao Cup as well is further improvement on the previous two campaigns, when the Blues fell at the first hurdle to League Two opposition. This week, there was no disgrace for Gary O'Neil's side in losing to Premier League champions Arsenal in the cup, particularly as they made the scoreline look a bit more respectable thanks to yet another late goal - Ipswich have now scored five goals already this season in the 90th minute or beyond, which is another positive trait in terms of their attitude. However, defeat by the Gunners was undoubtedly a blow to a number of players who are short of minutes this season. As a result, there are now just 14 fixtures left this calendar year, with only a couple of two-game weeks within that stretch, and 27 first-team squad members to consider. Recently, O'Neil batted away any concerns about keeping everyone at the training ground content. "I'm more than happy to have those difficult conversations with people," he said. "They're never personal and the players understand hopefully. It only takes an injury, a change of form or something I see in training to go from not playing to being back in the staring XI." You could sense post-match on Tuesday that the Ipswich captain for the night – Darnell Furlong – is among those particularly frustrated by a lack of game time . The defender was a mainstay in the Town team that won promotion from the Championship, but has played less than 25 minutes in the league so far this time around. "It's really tough, that's all I can say. I'll keep working hard and try to change things," he told us at BBC Radio Suffolk. O'Neil is understanding of Furlong's disappointment, and has been quick to praise the player. "I've not used Darnell anywhere near as much as I want to, but I love him to bits and he's a massively important part of what we're trying to do this season," the Ipswich boss explained. "How I value the players is not based on how many minutes they play, it's about how much you do to help the group." Furlong, for his part, appears to be accepting of the situation, adding: "The squad is a level up from last year to meet the demands of this league. There have been some great signings, with some great players and some great humans. It's one very well knitted group." Those words, if echoed by fellow squad members, bode well for O'Neil and Ipswich going forward. They head to Everton this weekend, where victory would make it three wins from their opening five top-flight games for only the eigth time in club history. Join Graeme Mac for The Matchday Preview every Friday from 18:00 and subscribe to the Ipswich Town page on BBC Sounds - plus, listen to BBC Radio Suffolk for full commentary of every Tractor Boys game.