Terry Butcher has revealed new manager Paul Lambert is planning to meet up with the former England skipper and other Blues stars of the past to hear their thoughts on Town.

Butcher and Lambert spoke on the phone last week with the former Town number six impressed with the way the new boss has started his job at Portman Road.

“We had a quick chat, I sent him a text as well,” Butcher, 59, said on Saturday’s Life’s a Pitch on BBC Radio Suffolk (29mins 21secs).

"“He’s very good, he wants to get a few of the older boys together and talk about our opinions and things like that.

“It’s just nice to be phoned up and receive the call, it was really good. I’ve known him for quite a while now, I’ve done some work with him before and was against him when I was up in Scotland with my clubs and obviously respect him.

“He’s doing all the right things, he’s meeting people, he’s talking to people, he’s getting information, he’s doing everything right.

“The only thing that he has to get right now is on the pitch, and that will take a little bit of time for players to get used to the system.

“But already the players are saying [things have changed]. Luke Chambers said in interviews how much the atmosphere has changed and I think it has changed, and it had to change, and it has changed for the better.”

He added: “[There are expectations of the new era] and we’re expectant of the team more than anything else. There’s got to be a good shape to the team now, the players have got to know what they’re doing and that takes a little bit of time on the training field.

“He’s started the right way, he’s not so much working them hard, he’s looking more for technique, more for shape than fitness.

“They’ve got the fitness now, they don’t need that input, so they can just go out there so everybody knows where they are.

“It’s a bit boring for players to do that sort of thing but you have to do it, you have to go through the motions in terms of where you’re going to be when the ball’s here, what’s going to happen when we attack, offensively and defensively. That comes just from work.

“It’s all repetition on the training pitch so that when you come out to play in the stadium it’s all peripheral, the noise, the atmosphere, the stands because you’re doing what you do on the training field; waves of attack, attack versus defence, all the shape. You have to do it, it’s the basic principles of football.

“It never happened [under the previous management], I think Paul Hurst was more concerned with fitness and they ran them and when they got the ball they tried to take a breather, which you can’t do.

“I think it’s exciting for the players and challenging the players as well, which is what we want.”

Photo: TWTD

cat added 18:55 - Nov 6 GENIUS! Great move by lambert in bringing everyone together. Great for morale and team spirit.
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alfromcol added 19:32 - Nov 6 Evans really wanted to appoint Lambert in June but he knew loads of Scum haters would go ape sh-t. Being the top businessman that he is, he appointing Hurst, let him implement his grand ideas knowing he would likely struggle and then he could go for his first choice! Oh, fake news.
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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 19:57 - Nov 6 Very smart and classy move, Paul. Well done.
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blue86 added 20:29 - Nov 6 such a simple yet great idea! i wasnt that impressed when he got the job, but as every day passes im warming to lambert more and more. the passion he showed at the preston game was great to see, and feel he is the man for the job..... just please keep us up!
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blueboy1981 added 20:36 - Nov 6 Another pointer that PL is indeed now one of our Family - much respect for that. Early days, but this guy has started off like a real Manager should do.
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TimmyH added 20:42 - Nov 6 Yes a good move from Lambert...thinking outside the box!
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Edmundo added 21:19 - Nov 6 Our club , our players past and present need to be part of this, as well as the fans. Evans will be under the cosh if he refuses to back PL. Nice politics, Paul.
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armchaircritic59 added 22:29 - Nov 6 Great PR from PL! I truly believe he's doing it for the right reasons too, not just what you might call a "cosy up". Wasn't my choice to replace PH ,but getting more impressed by the day!
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Warkys_Tash added 23:09 - Nov 6 Paul Lambert is a proper manager and I was and still am absolutely delighted we have him. Ipswich are lucky to have him and often truth be known Norwich fans wanted hm back before Farkes latest lucky run. We have a really chance to stay up with him in charge, BUT we have to back him and the team in every single game from now until season end.. we only need 4th from bottom. That will do me. And then rebuild the Lambert way in the Summer..

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pazzy added 08:31 - Nov 7 thank god a manager with common sense and love and respect for the club and fans thank you paul
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midastouch added 08:52 - Nov 7 Surely nobody can criticise this idea. Always wise to seek counsel from those with solid connections to the club and in the know.
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geminimustang added 09:08 - Nov 7 I understand the positivity around PL and the negativity around PH.However,for people to group PH & MM together is rediculous.MM saved the club from certain relegation and got the team to the play offs.PH destroyed a good base.No fair comparison to be made.
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BlueBlood90 added 10:36 - Nov 7 I've been very impressed by Lambert so far. He's said and done all the right things and doesn't seem like he's only here for a quick pay off. He's been very respectful of our traditions as a club which is important to the fans and I really hope it works out for him here.
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thechangingman added 12:54 - Nov 7 Like others on here, my initial concerns and doubts about PL, particularly because of the Norwich connection, are dissipating by the day. I smiled when I read this report and thought, "This bloke is the Real Deal!" At last - we can start to look forward with some optimism for the future. Paul Lambert's Blue and White Army!! ;0)
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TractorBeezer added 15:11 - Nov 7 Mustang, I mentioned MM and Hurst in the same sentence as follows: And another step to heal the McCarthy and Hurst damage. MM did some valuable things but damaged relationship with supporters (customers). He made some good signings and rescued us during his first year....he had a good relationship with most players and staff but failed to extend that to those that pay and were on the receiving end of his arrogant insults. No business can survive with that culture. We have just witnessed how PH has inflicted damage. I liked him initially but he then decimated the team instead of a more gradual approach. Mustang, we are probably on the same page.

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ashp19 added 15:30 - Nov 7 I love that this is happening!
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