x

Lambert: Plenty of Clubs Have Experienced League One Bounce - Ipswich Town News

Boss Paul Lambert has pointed out that plenty of clubs have used relegation to League One as a springboard in the past with Town appearing all but certain to find themselves in the third tier for the first time in 62 years in 2019/20.

The Blues go into Tuesday's live Sky game at Bristol City 12 points plus goal difference from safety.

Lambert, who insists Town will fight for their Championship status until it is mathematically impossible to stay up, has talked about the club rebuilding going forward with the Blues' youngsters at the heart of his strategy and, if the worst does happen and Town are in League One next season, says the way other clubs have returned rejuvenated following relegation illustrates what is possible.

The Blues boss secured promotion back to the Championship in his first season at Norwich and subsequently took the Canaries into the Premier League, while Sheffield United are in their second campaign back in the second tier following a six-year spell in League One.

"Manchester City were in it, weren’t they, so there you go!” he laughed. "They’ve had a bit of help, but it can happen.

"Sheffield United have done great, they’ve done really, really good, so it can happen. You get in League One and just bounce straight through.

"As I said before, I can see the vision of what I want to do or what I think the club should do, we’ll hopefully get everybody onside, everybody will know shortly what’s going to happen and hopefully everything goes right.

"But the support is behind us and you need the support, you need the fans behind you. First and foremost you need the fans and if you have the fans behind you then you’ve got a chance.

"And I think they can see that we’re doing everything we can to connect with everything, not just the team but the whole town, which I thought needed to be connected with the club because it’s a big part of the community, the club.

"It’s the only team in the town and it certainly needs it, that’s for sure. They both need each other.”

As has regularly been the case, the Town support were singing their manager’s name at West Brom on Saturday, something unusual when a team is bottom of the table and something Lambert hasn’t experienced before.

"I’ve only ever really been at the bottom at Aston Villa and then I had the other chant, you know!” he joked.

"It’s not a normal situation because I think we’re playing really well, it’s not a normal feeling. You would never think we were at the bottom of the table.

"And the support, I want them to enjoy their football, I want them to come and be excited.

"They pay a lot of money, the Ipswich fans, it’s a helluva travel they’ve got to go and watch us play, it’s a long, long way, a long way back and you want them to enjoy it, you don’t want them to come and not enjoy their football and we’ll try everything we can to make it exciting.”

The likes of Flynn Downes, Teddy Bishop and Myles Kenlock have become regulars under Lambert, while Andre Dozzell and Jack Lankester have also had some involvement. On Saturday Tristan Nydam and Corrie Ndaba both made the trip to West Brom with the former on the bench for the first time under Lambert.

"We drafted in Tristan and Corrie Ndaba on Friday night, they had a game on Friday in the U23s and we pulled in the two young lads,” he said. "They’re another two and there are another couple underneath that.

"If you keep all the young lads together and you coach them and you develop them, they’ll be one helluva side that’s for sure.”

What to read next:

Morsy: The Best Spell of My Career and Life
Departing Town captain Sam Morsy has issued a message to fans, teammates, manager Kieran McKenna and his staff following confirmation of his move to Kuwait SC, while the squad and ex-players have paid their own tributes to the Egyptian international.
Town Confirm Morsy Exit For Kuwait SC
Town skipper Sam Morsy’s move to Kuwait SC has been confirmed.
Town Announce Matchday Ticket Prices
Town have confirmed their matchday ticket prices for the Championship season ahead.
Luongo Close to Joining Millwall
Former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo is closing in on joining Millwall following his trial with the Lions.
Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Forward Roberts Joins Stevenage
Released Blues U21s forward Matty Roberts has joined League One Stevenage following a trial.
Young Close to Completing Town Move
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.