Blues boss Paul Lambert says his meeting with owner Marcus Evans on Monday was wide-ranging with his January transfer plans only one aspect of the conversation.

Asked whether recruitment was a big part of their discussions, which also involved Lee O’Neill, who we understand has taken on a more general football operations role at the club while continuing as academy director, Lambert said it only formed part of their conversation.

“No, it wasn't, believe it or not,” Lambert said. “There was a conversation on that but there was a general conversation on where the club's gone, what's happened to it and what the feeling on and off the pitch was like and in the community.

“It wasn't just January, there were a whole load of topics. He asked my opinion of what I thought was wrong, and he's been really supportive.

“I'm pretty sure he'll be excited by the things we're asking. The club needs him. It's his football club as well, and he's done great for it over the years. It's his football club, he's a custodian of it, and we'll try and help him as well as everybody else here.”

Pressed on what he told the owner was wrong with the club, Lambert kept his cards close to his chest: “I think you know better than to ask me that! You're gonna get the big zero answer on that. I've my own opinion on what happens.”

Scouting was also part of Monday’s chat at Playford Road, Lambert said: “We spoke about it and it’s something that we have to look at as well. As I said before, there’s a load of areas, that was one of the areas that I’ll look at.”

He confirmed that Dave Bowman, who has effectively been the club’s chief scout since Mick McCarthy took charge as boss although with the title director of football, will still remain involved.

“Yes, we just need more help here, I think. Dave, no problem whatsoever. I’ve only met him a few times, so no problem there but also I think we need a little bit more help.”

Lambert says a new manager has a lot to take care of when they come into a club: “It’s not just running the football team, there’s loads. But that’s the nature of the game.”

Meanwhile, ex-boss McCarthy is, perhaps inevitably, the favourite to return to his old job as Republic of Ireland manager, Martin O’Neill and his staff, including his assistant former Town boss Roy Keane, having resigned earlier today.

McCarthy, 59, who left the Blues in April, is said to be open to going back to the position he occupied between 1996 and 2002.

Photo: TWTD

Trac70 added 17:36 - Nov 21 What a breath of fresh air PL is. IF we get relegated I really hope this man stays because I think he is the man to move us forwards and onto bigger and better things. Hope ME listens if not he is in the POO!!!!
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stewartm added 08:01 - Nov 22 It is no ones fault but ME for the Hurst disaster! If we get relegated then obviously the Premiership is even further away. Perhaps ME has a big red bloody nose for the decisions made in the last six months and now it seems Ipswich and ME have repaired the damage done at managerial level and brought in a very good manager in Paul Lambert. Something tells me that ME is going to spend some money in January.....

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jewellsjewells added 04:47 - Nov 23 I love the positivity that PL has brought to the club . There are so many things that need to be corrected and he seems to be able to see what others haven't. One major area for me is youth football . Why are Norwich snapping up our young lads . My boy who is 12 has been hounded by Norwich for 4 years but not once by Ipswich . We never see Ipswich scouting but do see the yellow lot. I hate that they operate in Ipswich wtf. PL pls sort .

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