Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Lambert: Without Money It's a Different Project
Monday, 8th Jul 2019 06:00

Boss Paul Lambert knows that expectations will be high going into Town’s first third tier season for 62 years but warns that it’s not a given that his young, frugally-assembled squad will be in the top six, even if he believes they’re "a really good side”.

Asked whether he has a target for where he wants Town to finish in League One the Blues manager confirmed he had one in mind without elaborating any further.

When it was pointed out that most people would see the season as a failure if Town weren’t in the top six at the very least, he added: “Why do people think we’re automatically going to be in the top six? Because we’re Ipswich? Look at the side, the side is young.

"There were 12 academy kids [involved against Paderborn on Saturday], I’m not sure there are going to be as many as that in the whole division.

“What I will say is we’re a good side, I think we’re a really good side. It’ll be really tough but if we keep performing, then let’s see what happens.”

However, he says he’s well aware that there will be expectations among fans: “There will be, absolutely, and there should be because the badge indicates it, the club indicates it, the history of the club indicates it, the support indicates it. That’s fine, it’s totally fine.

“We haven’t spent any money at all — none. If you spend money then I can understand people saying ‘You have to be up there’ and ‘You have to win titles’. I get all that.

“Without money it’s a different project, but the objective is still the same. It’s to try and be successful. But we haven’t spent any money.

“They’re young, there are 12 academy kids, it’s a project, but they’re a really good side. I’m not saying they’re not a good side, I’m saying they’re a really good side.

“They might make mistakes more than will happen with experienced players but if they keep playing like that and they keep doing those things.”

Lambert played down suggestions that keeper Bartosz Bialkowski’s move to Millwall for around £1 million breaking down has impacted upon his ability to make signings and says the Polish international's value has reduced as a result of Town's drop into League One.

“No, because the club has been relegated,” he continued. “If what people tell me is true, that Bart could have gone last season for whatever, £3 million, if you get relegated, no one’s going pay that money any more. It’s not going to happen.

“It never even got that far, that’s the beauty of it all. I’m not disappointed the guy’s not away because he’s a really good goalkeeper. So from that point of view, a selfish point of view I’m glad Bart’s still here.

“As I’ve said, I don’t lose sleep about things until they really affect me then I’ll start to say, ‘OK, what’s going on?’.”

Meanwhile, the Blues squad and staff spent yesterday afternoon paintballing close to their hotel near Meppen, where next Sunday's Interwetten Cup takes place, with team building during their time away in Germany seen as a priority by Lambert.


Photo: TWTD



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



goat_man added 14:25 - Jul 8
This is the most worrying thing I've read in a while. There appears to be numerous reasons in this as to why we won't win games, but nothing about how we will use the qualities in this "really good side" to win games.

Also the bit about how youngsters make mistakes. From what I've seen, it tends to have been the "experienced" players over the last 15 years who make the majority of our mistakes because they're actually passed it, but continue to be selected due to "experience"
2

blues1 added 15:03 - Jul 8
TBT. Had to laugh at ur post. U certainly good at stating fake facts. As ifcu or any of us would know hed had 2 offers but just ignored emails. Or that Wigan owners had wanted itfc prior. If ur going to post , at least make ur posts ur opinion, or credible. But yer. Great comedy value
0

blues1 added 15:10 - Jul 8
Too many people making more of Lamberts comments than is meant. To anyone with any sense, it's quite obvious that hes simply trying to take as much pressure of the younger members of the squad. Being tipped as 2nd favourites is obviously going to put pressure on the squad. While I think that some players will thrive on that kind of pressure, it could prevent the younger players from at their best. As pressure isnt as easy to deal with for younger people, in whatever walk of life. Some may well deal with it, others wont. Everyone's different. Do as an experienced manager, Pl, is, imo, simply trying to lessen any pressure they may feel under.
4

blues1 added 15:11 - Jul 8
* should read prevent younger players performing at their best
1

Bluearmy_81 added 15:51 - Jul 8
Burley glory days, sorry your attitude is everything that b is wrong with Town fans. I'm confused, why should I support man City because I want, no demand better for ITFC, because I have pride and passion for my club? We will not get out of league 1 without spending even a modest amount. I don't get you. If you think being ok with being in leagues 1-2 makes you a great fan, fine go give yourself a medal but that's not being a fan in my book... Have some pride in your club ffs
3

StokeHigh97 added 15:55 - Jul 8
Every fan who has joined the doom & gloom fan club go back & Watch Jack Lankesters interview he gave the club website! Where he clearly says Lambert has told the players we're going to be out to win the league! Also do you honestly think Norwood would have signed if Lambert thought we would find it hard to get in Top 6! What he says to the players in private is far different 2 what he tells the media!
7

londontractorboy57 added 16:02 - Jul 8
Good luck Paul Mickma did it with no money lets see what you can do.
-1

rabbit added 16:42 - Jul 8
My apologies blues1 I marked you down by mistake.
-1

TimmyH added 16:59 - Jul 8
As a few others have already mentioned we weren't hearing too much about lack of money when it came to season ticket sales at the end of May...also Lambert now mentioning this 'feels' like a get out of jail free card, almost covering his own back. For God's sake we're in the third tier of English football!!!!!
3

Blue041273 added 17:06 - Jul 8
1973. Afraid you're wrong! ME can withdraw the finance at any time. The club would then be financially unviable and under corporate law would have to stop trading. Unless a white knight stepped in to settle debts etc and satisfy the courts that the company had the resources to meet its ongoing financial obligations, liquidation would follow. That could see the club folding or opening the door to serious asset strippers. Businesses go to the wall every day. Don't think it can't or won't happen to us
1

happybeingblue added 17:08 - Jul 8
have i missed something its league 1 no one has got any money! as mick mills allured to on radio last season its a level playing field so no excuses, but having had a relative although failed championship squad you would expect to be in the upper half
0

jas0999 added 17:49 - Jul 8
A copy and paste from the last few seasons. Each and every manager talks about budget restrictions. Hurst and MM subsequently spoke out after they left the club.

At Championship level it was somewhat understandable that we would not be competing at the top end financially, but even then we were nowhere near competitive at that level of football.

Now it would appear that we aren't even going to be financially competitive at League One level. That's a disgrace. We need to remember that we are in this position largely thanks to Evans flogging assets, replacing with cheaper alternatives or relying on short term loan solutions rather than building a squad. A complete mismanagement of the club.

If Evans can't compete at this level of football he seriously needs to sell up even if it's for a considerable loss. Make no mistake, a team packed with inexperienced youngsters - although exciting on paper - will likely struggle week in week out against seasoned league one players. Tough away days in winter await, and we could end up as a mid table side. Possibly worse. Sad days.
5

RRanger added 18:12 - Jul 8
Why the hell can't you so called fans stop moaning and wait for the season to start. At the beginning of last season the bookies made us second favourites to be relegated. I lost £100 because I thought they were very wrong. They were right and I lost my money. Bookmakers rarely get it wrong...they make their money by being right more often than being wrong. This year they are making us second favourites to WIN the league and very short to be promoted. I would suggest that all you moaners try a d make some money by taking on the bookies and backing us not to go up or laying us on Betfair!
2

Bluearmy_81 added 18:41 - Jul 8
Would never bet against ITFC, ever.
2

Bluearmy_81 added 18:45 - Jul 8
Keep your head in the sand mate but in 5 years time I suspect you will regret you had not been more in the 'Evans out' camp. Part of the reason we are in the mess we are is because town fans just sit back and let him get on with it, he is under no pressure whatsoever to step up and be responsible in funding ITFC adequately, none whatsoever. Shameful.
-3

afcfee added 18:46 - Jul 8
Think everyone taking to heart, he's just taking the pressure off the players imo.
0

rabbit added 18:53 - Jul 8
bluearmy_81 again you fail to respond to reasonable questions about your posts, it's quite obvious why of course.
You even disagree that ME can stop funding ITFC Company Ltd., please tell us all why you believe that, have you actually ever bothered to read the the ITFC accounts, have a look they might surprise you.

1

Bluearmy_81 added 19:00 - Jul 8
Rabbit please use question marks when you ask questions, it makes you look semi-literate when you don't. Thanks mate
1

warktheline added 19:07 - Jul 8
Read it and weep you Evans apologists ! The ‘Trojan Horse' runs amok!
3

StokeHigh97 added 19:33 - Jul 8
Well done Jas.999 lol Evans should sell up & take a big loss just to give the club away: thank god yr not a financial adviser!
0

TBT added 19:45 - Jul 8
I'm glad I gave you a laugh Blues1. Sadly they are all facts, I know because I was one of the advisors on one of the deals. I understand why you don't want to believe me but there's no need for that patronising nonsense.
4

Bluearmy_81 added 19:49 - Jul 8
Nice tax offset tool town are, I think he's just fine. Meanwhile idiot's who supposedly support the club defend him... 🙄
-3

jas0999 added 19:50 - Jul 8
TBT - an excellent post. It's remarkable that folk actually think Evans invests anything like £6M a year. Sure, he puts some money in. But not that much. He subsidises that amount heavily by selling players. We are in a huge mess thanks to Evans.
5

ITFCsince73 added 22:05 - Jul 8
No...blue04. ME purchased the club out of administration. In theory he can walk away.
But if he walks he's liable for club debt that might be left behind. Plus the little matter of reported £100m having to be scrubbed.
I don't think he will walk away into the sunset...do you.
There will be club owners in L1 this season worth tens of millions....ME is in a different league when it comes down to wealth.
As I've stated, with the club owned by a billionaire, the chances of doing a Bolton is zero.
The Marcus Evans Group are solely responsible for the financial affairs of the club. The rest of the group of companies earn unbelievable profits.
Until such time a buyer might come along, ME will have to front whatever it costs the club to remain operational.
0

BlueArrow added 22:11 - Jul 8
Forget the Trojan horse bring on the Suffolk punch
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024