James Norwood has praised co-striker Kayden Jackson for his role in a partnership that has helped steer unbeaten Town to the top of League One, albeit on goal difference as they share the same 11-points tally with another four clubs.
Norwood, who was at Portman Road with Jackson for a well-attended signing session this afternoon, has netted four times this season, all of them coming in the space of the last three league fixtures, and acknowledged: "It’s been a good few weeks for me and the team, really. We’ve created chances and both Kayden and I have been scoring goals, which is always important.
"We’re a partnership and with two up front you hope both of you will be scoring, and if the front players are finding the back of the net you are looking for us to be where we are, sitting at the top of the league.”
At the same stage of last season Norwood had five goals to his credit and he added: "Obviously, as a striker you are a little bit disappointed if you don’t score in every game, but we’re top of the league, the two strikers are scoring goals and we’re creating chances.
"There’s not a lot to complain about and if that continues we should sit there for the rest of the season.”
Focusing on his partnership with Jackson, 28-year-old Norwood continued: "I think everyone can see that game by game we’re getting better and better.
"We understand each other’s game a little bit more and we’re quite similar in terms of how we play.
"But we’ve also learned to adjust and after working with each other on different things you can see how well it’s going.
"In the Wimbledon game, when Kayden came on and we linked up a good few times, we both came away with a goal and then we had two each at Bolton.”
Norwood has conveniently ignored claims that the pair are too alike to form a decent double act. "We’re intelligent enough to know that you have to be able to adjust and I think we’re both smart players,” he said.
"You’ve got to be able to adapt, especially in League One because the higher up you go the more you’re going to have to play in different formations with different people.
"It just proves how hard we work in training together and the gaffer’s belief that we can partner each other is reaping the benefits now.
"But we’re not the only two strikers at the club. Jordan Roberts and Will Keane are also looking to play so for any player it’s staying on your toes.
"You have to keep scoring goals and doing what the gaffer wants in order to stay in the team.
"It’s healthy competition and being a striker is different to the other positions because we all want each other to do well and score goals.
"Ultimately it’s about being successful and if the lads are scoring goals you wish them well and hope they carry on scoring goals because that’s what brings the team three points.”
Lambert got his wish when he added Keane, who scored three times in 12 appearances on loan from Hull last season, to his squad and although he has yet to play alongside the former Manchester United youngster Norwood added: "Will offers something a bit different. I’ve seen him in training over the last couple of days and it’s what we might need in certain games.
"In other games we might have one, two or even three up front — we’re capable of playing all these options. It’s just about how we fit into the team and as long as players fit in they are happy.”