Despite captaining the side and scoring, Lockyer was left with an overriding feeling of frustration following the cup exit, with hopes of impressing in future games to stake a claim to get back into the league starting eleven.
“It was great for me to be out there, Lockyer said in his post-match interview. “I love playing football. It has been a frustrating start to the season not being involved in the first two games and I think that’s why it’s really disappointing now because this cup could have been the perfect opportunity for me to force my way into the team and it’s over after one game which is really annoying.
“They came here, did a job on us and now they’re in the hat for the next round. Bitterly disappointing for us, it was a great opportunity to get another run going and we just couldn’t do that. I think there were too many below par performances today, not enough that can say ‘you know what I’ve given the gaffer food for thought here’ and we’ve been punished because of it.”
The Welshman has been forced to watch the first two league games from the bench but admits those currently chosen ahead of him have his full support.
“You can play as many reserve games as you want, we played one last Tuesday and it’s an under 23s game at the end of the day, it’s a good fitness experience but it’s not a competitive game like it was tonight.
“Fair play to the boys though, whoever he picks, it’s not their fault he picks them so they have my full support. Yes, it hurts but I’m a team player at the end of the day. Do I wish he was picking me? Yes of course I do but whoever goes out there has my full support.”
With Preston North End visitors at Kenilworth Road on Saturday however, Nathan Jones’ men have the opportunity to put things right immediately, as Lockyer suggested.
“That is the good thing about football. Games come thick and fast, things can be forgotten and you can move on really quickly. We’re full steam towards Saturday which is going to be no easy task. I think they’ve picked up two draws as well so it could be a good battle and hopefully, we can come out on top.”
