Boss Paul Lambert has praised his squad’s versatility and their ability to play different systems having switched his formation soon after kick-off against the MK Dons on Tuesday.

Lambert lined his team up 3-5-2 to match the Dons’ usual look - moving away from the 4-4-2 Town have used for most of this season and the 4-2-3-1 utilised for much of the last campaign - but when it immediately became evident the home side were playing only one up front swapped to a diamond.

Asked whether he might look at 3-5-2 again when he feels a game suits in future, he said: “The only way I can adapt is because they’re playing really well and whatever system I play I know they can carry it out, which is a great thing for any manager.

“They know me now a lot of them, some are just at the club in the summer that are still trying to work me out, but they’re playing really well and the confidence is really high, so I know they can perform whatever system I play.”

He says having strength in depth is important: “That’s the beauty about having a squad because nobody can rest and think they’re safe and I think that’s important.

“It doesn’t matter who you are. I’ve got no qualms about it at all, it’s never too hard really to pick a team with, so as long as players keep looking over their shoulder and think “I’m maybe not as safe as I thought I was.’

Does Lambert believe the midfield quartet of Cole Skuse, Emyr Huws, Jon Nolan and Flynn Downes at Milton Keynes is the strongest available to him?

“No, because I trust everybody who plays,” he insisted. “It doesn’t matter what personnel I put in. I just think if they do the job I ask them to do then there’s not a problem.

“If you don’t do the job I’ve asked you to do then there’s probably a problem, so the lads at the moment are playing really well, everybody is, so it doesn’t matter who I put in there, I expect them to perform.”

Luke Garbutt illustrated his versatility by making his first Blues start at left-back at Stadium MK, having played at left midfield in his two Town games prior to his knee injury.

“I think Garbutt was a big miss when he went out injured because he gave us a balance on the left side,” Lambert said having been asked which he sees as the Everton loanee’s best role.

“Myles [Kenlock] was playing well and Garbutt was playing in front of him, and then Garbs got injured, and we certainly missed his freekicks and corner kicks.

“Him coming back after that month out and play the way he did on Tuesday night, I thought he, Emyr [Huws] and [Jon] Nolan were excellent, three lads that haven’t played a lot of them, the three of them contributed hugely, but Garbutt’s left foot is very, very good.”

At his press conference this morning striker James Norwood said he felt that strikers win matches but that defences win leagues.

“What I do agree with is that the team will win you a league, the team wins a league, the whole football club wins a league, not just on the pitch, everybody collectively wins you a title.” Lambert said when asked whether he holds a similar view.

“The players are a massive component in it as the supporters are and that’s why I always say that we need everybody to perform to the level that they’re performing.

“I understand where he’s coming from, but the bigger thing is we need everybody to win the league.”

Photo: TWTD

terry_butchers_twin added 12:31 - Sep 20 I have to say that it's the most relaxed I've seen Paul Lambert at a press conference. He looks far less earnest than in the past...what a difference a few results makes!
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ITFCsince73 added 14:22 - Sep 20 Terry...a few results? 8 great results, and last 4 games clean sheets. Look what he walked into 10 short months back. He's worked miracles imo. At all levels.
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roystevensonsrocket added 14:33 - Sep 20 It's somewhat ironic that our squad this season is very much better than last year .iff we had this squad last season I'm sure we would still be in the championship . Norwood garbut Vincent-young and Georgio are quality additions . With the squad we've got especially the depth of it if we don't get promoted there are no excuses . Even Wilson does a job for us. I look forward to seeing them at rochdale as I live there.

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