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Lambert: I Couldn’t Have Asked Any More of Them, They Gave Us Everything
Saturday, 3rd Nov 2018 18:18

Manager Paul Lambert said he couldn’t have asked any more of his team as they drew 1-1 at home to Preston in their first game in charge of the Blues. Freddie Sears put Town in front from the spot just before half-time but Paul Gallagher levelled for the Lancastrians on 73 and then ended up in goal after his side’s keeper Chris Maxwell was sent off two minutes later.

“Brilliant. It’s great, loved it, loved the atmosphere and I thought we were the better team,” Lambert said.

“I thought we started really well and couldn’t ask any more, they gave us absolutely everything.”

Lambert was philosophical that the performance didn’t produce the win he felt it deserved: “That happens at times, that’s football, that’s why it’s a great game. Sometimes results go for you if don’t play well, sometimes you play well and they don’t.

“I was proud of them the way they played, they were fantastic. I always say that the big thing for me is the reaction of the supporters, if you can get the crowd going.

“I’m pretty sure if you asked the majority, OK we wanted to win, but I’m pretty sure it’s more exciting than it’s been for a while here.”

The Blues are now five points off the three teams above them but Lambert believes the wins will come if performances remain at today’s level.

“A million per cent,” he insisted. “If they’d been playing like that since the start of the season I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you, that’s the reality of it.

“The performance, OK, we never got the winner, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying, that’s for sure. We gave a helluva account of ourselves.”

Regarding Preston’s freekick goal, he said: “I’ve not seen it back but Paul Gallagher’s been renown for his set plays, he’s really, really good. I haven’t seen it back.

“Bart’s had one save to make in the first half. From where I was standing it looked a good freekick, I couldn’t see how far away the wall was or Bart, but no blame attached to anybody whatsoever. Gallagher’s very good at set plays.”

Jordan Roberts was handed his first Blues start as Town’s central striker, a surprise pick for most observers.

“I just picked him because I thought we needed maybe a focal point up front and I thought the lad was unbelievable for coming in for his first game,” Lambert said. “I thought he was outstanding.


“But not just him, the front three lads, they pressed the way I asked them to press. Not just that, the whole team, the whole unit, you could sense the atmosphere in the place was great. But Jordan, I think everybody knows that he was very, very good.”

Lambert also gave Flynn Downes the responsibility of taking Town’s set pieces, the 19-year-old having caught his eye during training this week.

“Good player, very good young kid,” he said. “A huge future ahead of him, I think. He’s got a long, long way ahead of him, he’s got another 25 years in the game. We’ll see if he can keep doing that for the next 25 years.”

Overall he says he’s been pleased with what he’s seen of squad this week: “I’ve been here since Sunday and I couldn’t ask any more, the way they’ve trained, the way they’ve applied themselves, the way they’ve gone about their job.

“There’s so much information we’ve given them to take on board and we’ve only had a few days with them.

“Your best part of your season is your pre-season but we’ve come in in November, so there’s a lot of work but as I’ve said before I want them to enjoy it and I’m pretty sure if you ask any of the lads they enjoyed today’s game.”

Asked about next week’s big game at Reading, he added: “And you’ll probably ask me that the following Saturday and then the following one. They’ll all be big games, every one. I’d rather have that than not have a big game.”

Quizzed on whether he takes too much notice of the table in the current circumstances, he said: “I’ll just look at one game at a time and will bounce along with it. I’ll never be downbeat, I’ll keep going.

“The most important thing is this football club and the supporters and the team. If I can get them going, you heard the atmosphere yourselves today, you probably come here more than not and probably go away thinking there’s not much of an atmosphere but I don’t think anyone could question that this afternoon.”

He added: “I think I said it the other day, I watched the Middlesbrough game here the other day and saw the team lose and the fans never even booed. I think there was an apathy there.

“You need to kickstart it, you have to start somewhere. You have to stop that apathy and whatever happens outside when they come in here, the kids, the mums, the dads, the supporters, enjoy it and we have to give you something to enjoy.

“We need them, we need the team, we need the fans to get behind us and if they see performances like that they’ll go with it and I think that’s important.”

Alex Neil says Preston’s games are never boring at present: “It’s never dull at the moment for us, most games we’re involved in are a 4-3 or 3-2 or there’s some sort of incident within the game.

“I think the most important thing for us to be talking about is how we played defensively, something we’ve spoken about that we’ve not done that well this year.

“But I felt today Ipswich had one shot at goal other than the penalty which Paul Gallagher saved when we were down to 10 men. Other than that they didn’t have another opportunity to score.

“I thought we defended really well, I thought what we lacked, certainly in the first half, was that cutting edge at the top end.

“We had three or four really good opportunities for break aways and our use of the ball let us down.”

Regarding the penalty, he said: “I’ve watched it back and when you watch it back and you slow it down it looks as if Chris Maxwell’s the one that kicks the ball, but what I said to Maxy is that the trajectory of the ball looks as if it’s the player’s the one who is running on to it.

“So, it’s a difficult one, he’s taken a heavy touch, the lad’s gambled on it and tried to nick it.

“I felt that the linesman immediately was running down the line with his flag up. I think when you look at it back in real time it’s always difficult to say. If you look at it back it didn’t look as blatant as maybe it appeared.”

Reflecting on the match overall, he added: “It was always going to be a tough game. It was Paul’s first game, he was always going to get his team up and in your face and try and lock-on and make it difficult, turn the ball, play for second balls, get the wide players rolling in and ultimately you need to win that fight and that battle.

“I thought both teams were a little bit scrappy. I don’t think there was a huge amount of football played in the first half. I thought it would be sporadic, bits of it would burst out, maybe a couple of passing sequences.

“But to be honest I don’t think there was anything in the first half. I don’t think we created much, I don’t think they created much and then we gave the penalty away at the worst possible time. That was a bit of a kick in the teeth for us.”

He added: “I thought we should have won the game, we had a freekick right across the box, I think Tom Clarke maybe should have done a little bit better and for me Lukas Nmencha had the best opportunity of the game.

“I didn’t feel when we were down to 10 men that they had any ascendency. They had one shot from a corner which Gally saved, but other than that we looked the most threatening we did throughout the game.”

Regarding Maxwell’s second yellow card, he said: “I’ll have to look at it back because it was way over the other side of the pitch.

“I think after the game, we’re relieved that we didn’t lose it because we were down to 10 men with no goalie on the pitch and I think they tried to play as many minutes as they could until Ipswich scored.

“That elongated the game for about 30 minutes towards the end. After that we were relieved that we didn’t lose but a bit frustrated that we didn’t win with the opportunities that we had.

“That [the second yellow card] is something we’ll have a look at. Max is disappointed, he’s apologised to his team-mates for affecting the game in a negative manner. As far as we’re concerned, we’re a team and the lads then need to dig him out, and they did that.”


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jdtractor96 added 18:25 - Nov 3
Such a shame we couldn't get the 3 points I think we deserved. I knew Gallagher would score as soon as the free kick was given! Lots of positives to take today, certainly a big improvement on recent weeks. I believe we have the right man in charge. Love his passion. COYB
26

bluelady added 18:28 - Nov 3
He kicked every ball - fantastic leadership and if anyone is capable of saving us he is. Comments such as Roberts hasn't played or trained much this season make you realise just how rotten the previous managment team were - I remember reading Hurst slating Roberts yet today he showed real potential. Lovely to read the positivity of Lambert - that breeds belief and that's what we desperately need now, we may go down but if we do we will fight to the death - under Hurst we would have been down by Christmas
28

Gilesy added 18:30 - Nov 3
How refreshing to hear that from our manager!
18

tractorboybig added 18:32 - Nov 3
well paul, in view of your comments we really are fu,,cked
-35

rfretwell added 18:49 - Nov 3
Couldn't believe I was reading a report on the Town a few minutes ago : A powerful shot by Roberts. TWICE in one match! Mainly what ive seen is powder puff off target shots this season so that is defo encouraging. Lamberts encouragement and football knowledge will hopefully turn things round. Such an improvement on the Hurst regime.
13

jas0999 added 18:50 - Nov 3
Small first step in right direction, although lack of a goal scorer is still a real problem.

Great to see PL on the touch line. Very good management.
23

WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:52 - Nov 3
Agreed. Although I wasn't overly enthused by the performance, I like Lambert already more than I ever did Hurst. He was kicking every ball like others have said, and I like the way he puts the players and fans first. He has the potential to be the first truly Ipswich Town style manager we've had since Magilton. Fingers crossed.
18

WaltonBlueNaze added 19:23 - Nov 3
What a difference in energy, enthusiasm, team work and togetherness - if PL can do this in a week then the signs are very encouraging. If we can all remain positive then we will avoid relegation. COYB
13

blue75 added 19:28 - Nov 3
I've gone home happy been entertained not many times I can say that in the last 2 years. yes I would've liked the 3 points but 1 is a start. COYB
13

naa added 19:34 - Nov 3
It was an encouraging performance but still very weak up front (though not much PL can do about that with the squad he has. But what is refreshing to hear is him encouraging the players and praising them. Something Hurst just couldn't ever bring himself to do. It's basic man management.

Roberts looked OK so I've no idea why he was so far from the team under Hurst.

Anyway, positive signs today but we're a long way adrift already so I hope he can find some goals soon
10

mathiemagic added 19:35 - Nov 3
Well, what a transformation. A team that works for each other and seems to pull together for the collective good. Astonishing things given the crap PH dished up. So wanted PH to work but clearly out of his depth. PL however, is a different kettle of fish. This manager WILL steer us clear of relegation. 4TH bottom is all I want this season.
10

rgp1 added 19:49 - Nov 3
Regarding Maxwell's second yellow card, he said: “I'll have to look at it back because it was way over the other side of the pitch.

So Mr Neil your goalkeeper who is already on a yellow card tw@ts an opponent after rushing out of his area nice one!

Anyway now we are organised thanks to PL we just need goals to build on as we know teams that don't score goals are only heading one way!
3

Dissboyitfc added 19:58 - Nov 3
tractorboybig.. no team has ever been relegated in november! the team needs the supporters, did you go today?
6

1psw1ch added 20:04 - Nov 3
Ah look lads we were,nt beating ,, sounds like there was a great atmosphere today,,,its still early days into the season and plenty of points to be gained to get us out of trouble,,,looks like lambert is gonna relish his time here ,,,the good aul days are on the way back
6

Lightningboy added 20:12 - Nov 3
Sounds like we've got the right man to hopefully get us out of Hurst's mess.
8

Ipswich_Crazy added 20:26 - Nov 3
tractorboybig, are you a town fan or what? if you are not showing it. Or are you a Narwich fan in disguise?

GET A GRIP!

Get behind the team!

#PaulLambertHatesnorwich!
3

ScottCandage added 20:31 - Nov 3
In one week, Paul Lambert has brought more positivity to the position since the days of Jim Magilton and Joe Royle. He's not rosy eyed, and he knows our problems. However, he also sees our strengths, and seems to want to play toward that (instead of simply negating the other team's tactics).

But most importantly, his comments already show that he understands the relationship between the fans and the players is a two-way street. All managers say they need the fans behind them, but Paul Lambert also speaks of the need of the players to provide proper effort and good performances to get the fans behind the players. It's been a long time since we've had a manager that seems to get that everything in a club is a two-way street.

It would be really hard to complain about anything PL has said and done since he's gotten here. And it seems he's got the players (ALL of them, not just a favored few and no youths) behind him. Let's keep our claws out until January, and hope for some good investment and proper spending. Then 21st place will be all I care about.
19

BlueandTruesince82 added 21:02 - Nov 3
Was here to watch the Middlesbrough game a couple of weeks ago......

Let that slip Paul you devil
5

blueboy1981 added 21:22 - Nov 3
Glad you're happy with the effort Paul - however, that alone will invariably not be enough, as we, and you, may well be in the process of realising, sooner rather than later.

The gap continues to widen by the week - all take note.
-5

algarvefan added 21:38 - Nov 3
blueboy1981 credit where credit is due, a much better performance and tempo to our game. I wonder if people like you are from Nodge?
2

shakytown added 22:00 - Nov 3
Promising signs but we really need a goalscorer and a couple of good midfielders urgently.
4

pablo123 added 22:27 - Nov 3
Bluelady , we may go down ????? We are going down , of that there is no doubt at all !! Especially with this budgie in charge !! Forget it mate , we're doomed
-16

pablo123 added 22:32 - Nov 3
How easily a lot of you accept yellow !!!!!!!!
-16

ipswich134 added 23:05 - Nov 3
The match was so high tempo. I get excited by the team whenever we get and fight for the ball. Last 2 performance was like 50/100. Today is 100/100 for determination. PL changed the squad in 1 week. We can't ask for more.
No wonder this world have so much hate when people just cannot forget about the past and let it hold you.
8

bluesnightorg added 23:09 - Nov 3
Very good, ScottCandage. Exactly right. Positivity doesn't necessarily get you what you want, but it definitely makes the process more enjoyable.
5


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