Boss Paul Lambert felt his side could have scored five or six goals in the first half of their 4-1 victory over Accrington Stanley and again insisted it’s players that win matches not systems as well as commenting on owner Marcus Evans’s programme notes on the club’s footballing style going forward and stating that he believes there are those that want Town to fail.

“The first half I thought was excellent, really good, it could have been five or six. The first half probably got us the win,” Lambert said.

What was different from previous games? “Even the games we’ve lost or drawn, we’ve had most of the game, most of the ball, most of the game, most of the chances.

“It was just the intensity I thought, that’s going to happen because they’re not used to playing like that every single week. A good win.”

He added: “We’ve dominated games before without getting the break. As I said the other day, we had 73 penalty box entries against Bristol Rovers. Today we have probably had the same in the first half, I’ve not seen the stats, but we were clinical. That was the difference.

“We played a different way. As I said before, it’s a lot of nonsense about systems, a lot of nonsense, it’s about players.

“It’s nonsense, absolute bollocks it is. Bollocks, it really is. You’ve just got to get that out of your head, systems don’t win you games, players do. We work on it for one week and we win 4-1.

“[We worked] on a different way of playing, it’s amazing. The players were great, really, really good.”

Town’s overlapping centre-halves, the most notable change from previous games which he says was worked on for “a couple of days” this week, drew comparisons with Sheffield United’s current approach with Lambert a fan of the Blades having watched them last Sunday in their FA Cup tie against AFC Fylde, who are currently sixth in the Premier League.

“If we get anywhere near Sheffield United, we’re doing alright. [The centre-halves created a lot of opportunities to score goals], Luke Woolfenden did great for the first one [Chambers put the ball] in for Judgey for the third one.”

Asked whether that had any relation to Evans’s statement about the club playing “technical” football, he said: “Marcus wants us to play silky football, is that what he wants, and then we lose games? Is that what he wants?”

Might Evans take some credit for coming up with the system? “Marcus came up with that system? The next game Marcus can sit here, let me and Marcus swap roles, I’ll take that any day of the week. I’ll take all the yachts, I’ll take all the planes, I’ll take all the holidays. I’ll let him sit here and he can do what I do.

“Listen, I guarantee if the football club gets promoted and we’re not playing great football, he’ll be the first one to jump over the moon.

“You’ve got to try and win. Play silky, silky, silky, silky - lose. The game’s about winning football. What do we play football for? What do we play professional sport for?”

Lambert was reminded of NFL coach Vince Lombardi’s famous quote, 'If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?’.

“Absolutely, take away the two goals,” he said. “You’ve got to win. Winning is the thing, I was brought up in an era when I had to win, and thank God I won trophies coming out of my ears.

“I won the biggest things in Europe, I won the biggest titles. I know what it is to win. But I can look back and I’ll see a lot of trophies.”

Asked why he hadn’t come in to his press conference bouncing after what was an important victory, Lambert responded: “I think people want us to fail, without a doubt. The football club is not used to winning all the time, ‘We have to win, we have to win, we have to win’.

“The guys aren’t used to it, the guys are young guys, some are experienced guys but it’s the first time in a long while the pressure’s on to try and do something.

“Two different pressures winning a title and staying in a division. Two totally different things.”

"Quizzed on who he believes want Town to fail, he said: “I know there are people who want us to fail, I don’t need no names, I know people want us to fail.”

Did he use that as a motivating factor today? “No, I’ve got my own feelings and I’ve got my own mind on it. I’m absolutely delighted the lads won, they played brilliant football, we looked really, really good, the way we played.

“And I’m happy with the support, it’s unbelievable, 18,000 against Accrington, the German lads coming over, absolutely brilliant. The football club as I said before is in a really, really good place, a really good place.”

Town were unchanged for successive league games for the first time this season and Lambert says it’s down to players to keep their shirts.

“Try and keep it, yes,” he added. “OK, barring one or two little knocks, we have to wait and see. We have another game Tuesday. We’re three points off the top with a game in hand, it’s a bloody good position we’re in.”

Questioned on whether it’s now a case of getting some momentum going having ended the winless run, he added: “I don’t want to play silky football all the time and lose or draw, I don’t want it. I’ve not been brought up that way. This is not my mantra, to play great, lovely football without having something at the end of it.

“You have to win. The winning is the main aspect of any professional sport. That quote is a brilliant quote, ‘why keep the score?’.

“You try and do the best you can to win, regardless of how you do it, and that’s professional sport.”

Might Evans’s comments about style be unhelpful that being the case? “Marcus has been brilliant, I’ve always said that, I’ve said that from day one that Marcus has been great. If Marcus has said that or not, it doesn’t matter to me.”

Are the two on the same page? “No, I can’t stand him and he can’t stand me!” he joked. “Of course, I get on well with him, I get on well with him, I fight with him, he fights with me.

“I say, ‘No, that’s not good enough’, he says, ‘That’s all I can do’. No problem, we meet in the middle, we try and do the same thing.

“He’s a good guy, he’s a good chairman [sic] to work under, will I agree with everything he says? No. Will he agree with me? No.

“He’s the one that holds the big thing at this club. He can do what he wants, hire, fire, employ, get rid of people. He can do what he wants with it. It’s his club, it’s his money, you have to respect what he wants to do.”

Reflecting on the positive result and performance, he added: “I think it’s brilliant, even the games we drew and we lost a couple here and there, which I said was always going to happen.

“But, my God, a couple of defeats here and you think the world’s caved in, it’s incredible. People will think that that’s fine, that’s why the guys deserve so much credit for today, because the way they played and handled everything that was coming.

“Accrington were in really good form, John’s done really well there and we knew it would be a hard game but the actual level we played today was very, very good.”

Photo: TWTD

TimmyH added 19:53 - Jan 11 @kirbmeister - so you go round on social media platforms checking out other clubs and their supporters and what they have to say?...give me break. Who are the idiots that want us to fail? (obviously on here)...this isn't a cue for Dolphinblue to jump in and start naming and shaming after a first win in 13 games.
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blue86 added 19:56 - Jan 11 You know what, why couldn't lambert enjoy the win rather than gobbling off like the big I am? I dont want us to fail, I want the club to succeed, hence why I'm a supporter. I really enjoyed the game today, some fantastic performances out there by the players, I want you to succeed lambert, but sometimes you make yourself sound a bit of an arrogant idiot, it's not all about you mate.

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herfie added 19:59 - Jan 11 Not meant in a negative way, but I really struggle to understand PL as a character and personality. His pre and post match comments are often challenging to fathom; and to get a clear idea of what his basic football philosophy is based upon. He's either being deliberately obtuse, throwing us curve balls or he's on a very different grid reference from the rest of us! No question, however, that he's committed totally to the club and it's supporters, and whilst he delivers results and improving performances, then he's doing his job. I suspect he has no great respect for some elements within the media, who are often quick to give us a sly kick when we're struggling, and slow to praise when we're on the up. But ‘‘twas ever thus, and when he gets us promoted all this guff will be long-forgotten. “.....when the seagull follows the trawler”. Remember those words from one Eric Cantona? Pl's media hero!

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Lightningboy added 20:01 - Jan 11 One good result doesn't make everything rosy all of a sudden but fans should be thankful that after 10 years of the club stagnating & sliding down the table we do actually (at last) have someone who recognises everything that is/was wrong & is trying to put it right. Get behind Lambo like we did at the beginning of the season - and don't presume that we have the right to win every week - I would've happily taken 3rd in the table at this stage of the season.

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Tony88 added 20:08 - Jan 11 It's no good complaint about Lambert saying the same thing every week when most on here do the same thing.
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JaySwitch added 20:09 - Jan 11 He's starting to sound alot like Nick McCarthy..
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JaySwitch added 20:10 - Jan 11 He's starting to sound alot like Mick McCarthy..
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Dolphinblue added 20:16 - Jan 11 😂😂😂 thenegcrew....the gift that keeps on giving 😂😂😂😂 with more comedy gold. Brilliant Lambert keep up the good work 👍
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londontractorboy57 added 20:23 - Jan 11 Blimey how strange however good result great first half,average second half not going to get over excited as Accrington were very poor still we can but win and in this case convincingly, Well done team and PL
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Kirbmeister added 20:25 - Jan 11 TimmyH - of course I don't do that it's not what I meant. What I do know is that some people on here moan for the sake of it and it's so boring. And all the moaning about Evans. Why don't you sink your millions into the club if you can do any better?
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Len_Brennan added 20:27 - Jan 11 I read down to the end to see what points Dolphinblue would make in response to a fair & reasonable discussion on a fan's message board. I saw a lot of emjois, which had more depth than the words around them.
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cat added 20:27 - Jan 11 Strange comments from ‘Munbles' but after a performance like today he deserves credit. The way we pressed Stanley, specially first half was impressive. The spine of the team looked very strong, let's hope Lambo stays with it.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 20:34 - Jan 11 He's trying to be a "Jose" but with his player medals rather than "team trophies", people call him PR Paul, I think he needs a proper PR man to save him from gaffes.
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Tractorboy1985 added 20:39 - Jan 11 Believe me @kirbmeister if I had the millions Marcus Evans had I would be ploughing in millions rather than his pennies he donates every year! He bought the club on the cheap thinking he could make a quick buck by chucking 20 odd million at it then the club would be worth more than double he bought it for! He chucked his name about at every angle of the club to advertise his dodgy business for thee olympics then lost interest! Wealth when he bought he club 500 odd million and Ipswich were a championship club challenging for promotion... fast forward 12 years.. his wealth has risen to 800 odd million and Ipswich town are in league 1! He sells any rising star for pittance then comes out with yet another ‘5 year plan' this week... and he's a good owner??? Wake up fella!!!! And before you say well we could be another Bury.. no we are not.. another 18k today.. he needs to start showing thee interest and invest a little like the fans did when we dropped out of the championship!

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Cakeman added 20:41 - Jan 11 I really do not believe any ‘true' Town fan would want us to fail. Being critical with good cause and if put in a non offensive manner should be acceptable. Of course there are those that cross the line with offensive comments but I hope our manager realises all the fans just want the club to do its best. Obviously no one likes to receive criticism in any walk of life. Sometimes it has to be received no matter how painful that may be. I just hope Paul Lambert who I think is an excellent manager for us does not do a McCarthy and get under the supporters skins with verbal outbursts be they justified or not. That will quickly undo all the good PR work he has achieved.

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Northstandveteran added 20:56 - Jan 11 " I won the biggest things in Europe, I won the biggest titles " So did Roy Keane.... Like yourself, as a player..... But thanks for reminding us in EVERY interview you partake in.
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ITFCsince73 added 21:11 - Jan 11 The only people who want town to fail is Mick ma and bird food munchers.
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Dissboyitfc added 21:18 - Jan 11 When he first came into the club he was like a breath of fresh air, getting all the legends in, bringing the fans on board AND insisting it wasnt about him, the club the supporters being the biggest most important part of the club. Fast forward a year or so and its all about him! No one cares apart from him what he won as a player. i was for the first time in months enjoying a Saturday evening after a superb performance. Does he not realise that these childish egoistical remarks are not a good look? At least he is not mentioning his achievements as a manager with Norwich, well not yet anyway, maybe he will be using that at a later date. We have had our fill of managers with massive egos in recent years, Keane , McCarthy and now Lambert.

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Cloddyseedbed added 21:21 - Jan 11 I think it's not people who want you to fail it's the fans that want you to succeed and questioning what you were doing you weren't happy with. A more settled squad we were pleading for and it seems to be working!
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DurhamTownFan added 21:28 - Jan 11 I don't care who is right or wrong here. Why ruin the mood after a 4-1 win?
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ITFCsince73 added 21:29 - Jan 11 If he gets us up this season, and robs the owner of 20m in the summer to strengthen, then I'm happy to talk about, and hear about his fantastic playing career.
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Carberry added 21:46 - Jan 11 He's gone tilt again. I think someone needs to to have a look at him, to help him get over these self esteem issues he obviously has. And he's started swearing in press conferences, just like McCarthy did. He needs managing - that's your job O'Neil. Put your phone down for half an our and have a word would you?
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Lathers added 21:48 - Jan 11 Would the real Paul Lambert please stand up. Kissing Butcher, Mills and Wark's backsides, paying for away day travel and ‘uniting the fans'.... but when he has a few of his buttons pressed (after a dismal, dismal winless run) he shows his true colours. How to ruin a fine days work. No one wants you or the team to fail Paul, but it doesn't mean we have to like you or the way you behave (even if you have played for some really, really big clubs)

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blue86 added 21:48 - Jan 11 Pssssst, I will whisper quietly as Lambert likes to keep it a secret, but just to keep you in the loop, formations dont matter 🤔 oh yeah and lambert had a great career and played for some top top clubs, ssshhhh keep it to yourself he doesn't like to mention it.......
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RobsonWark added 22:12 - Jan 11 No one wants you to fail PL!! We ALL want you to WIN each week!!!
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