Town boss Paul Lambert says he needs to add at least half-a-dozen players to his squad during January, including two strikers, and says he and owner Marcus Evans have been in constant dialogue.

Leicester left-back Callum Elder is set to become Lambert’s first signing on loan with the first moves of the window not formalised until January 2nd, meaning no new additions will be involved on New Year’s Day.

“They can't play anyway due to registration,” explained the Blues boss. “But we're doing everything we can. I don't think we need one or two, we need at least half a dozen lads in to come and give us a hand.

“We'll try everything we can to get people in. If it happens, absolutely brilliant. If it doesn't, then we have to keep going, and that's the way we look at it.”

Is he confident he’ll get those signings in? “We have to try. We're in a position where we have to do something.

“My view is we need a little bit more up top, which is well documented. We're playing really well football-wise, really good stuff - everybody recognises it, opposition recognises it now.

“If we can just get some little bit of luck at the top end, be a little more potent, a bit more experience, then let's see what happens.”

Asked whether he’s confident of landing a striker - with Middlesbrough’s Rudy Gestede and Daryl Murphy, now at Forest, both understood to be on what’s believed to be a lengthy list of potential targets - he said: “I don't think I just need one, I think I need a couple. I need it all across the top end of the pitch.

“We've got young lads here who are giving it everything commitment-wise. The way they perform, I can't ask for any more. We need a little bit more guile up top, guys that know it. We need strength across that frontline.”

Is Lambert confident owner Evans, who has become more and more involved in the day-to-day running of the club in recent weeks, making more regular appearances at Playford Road, will back him sufficiently? “He's been great that way. As I've said before, he'll ask for my opinion and what I think, I give him it, and then he's the main person.

“But we're in constant dialogue. Prices will be inflated, some will think we can get them, some will be too much. You just have to do what you think is right for the club.”

The Blues manager says Evans is as concerned about the current situation as everybody else at Portman Road.

“No more worried than everybody else,” he said. “It just affects everybody, this whole scenario. But you have to stay with it, I don't think you can buckle or wilt under it, you have to be ready for it.

“The great thing I think we've got is the supporters have been absolutely brilliant. I think they recognise the situation we're in and if we can stick that together and get a few in, then let's see what happens. There's still a hell of a lot of games that you can rescue this.”

Lambert admitted that there have been players who have said they don’t want to come to Town given the current position.

“There's one or two,” he said. “But as soon as I hear that, I don't go back a second time, I let it go. I need people that want to be here, I need people who want to fight and be up for a challenge.

“Everybody that's here is up for a challenge. I don't need people that say they want to have two weeks on it or something like that, we can't afford it.

“There are people who say they want to look at something else - that's not a problem for me, but I'll never come back in for you a second time.”

The Scot would like to see new faces in his side - among them presumably Elder - in his team at Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup on Saturday or in the vital home match against Rotherham the week after.

“I hope so,” he continued. “Fingers crossed we get people in because we need them. I think that's there for everybody to see, we need players in here to help.

“Not just one or two, we need a few in to help. That's my opinion. I think it is recognisable. As I say, the football we play is really good. We need that end product.”

Photo: TWTD

itfchorry added 17:10 - Dec 31 3 points a must tomorrow
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christiand added 17:15 - Dec 31 Quite right PL, it's going to take 6 ‘quality' signings to have any sort of impact. Reading PL's comments just pleased he has actually spoken up and given an honest assessment, we're a mess and ME is the main culprit. If ME wants us to stay up, he needs to deliver because PL is spot on in what he says.
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geminimustang added 17:17 - Dec 31 The Clubs & Agents reading this will have just upped their pricing!
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Edmundo added 17:23 - Dec 31 "There are people who say they want to look at something else - that's not a problem for me, but I'll never come back in for you a second time." Love that attitude.
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Mark added 17:40 - Dec 31 The problem here is Marcus Evans' budget. Yes, six new signings would be nice but if they are all budget signings then it won't be enough, that's what we tried in the summer. I would really prefer just one quality target man striker than six squad players. Lambert himself said a club should only sign two or three players a year due to problems integrating more players. I hope we don't repeat the summer mistakes all over again. I trust in Lambert's judgement, but not Evans' making necessary funds available.

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ITFCsince73 added 17:57 - Dec 31 6 new faces? That's almost PH ist. 6 players on the cheap won't help. Hope the other 4 have the correct creditials. As current 2 probables, are a big gamble, we're not in the position to have to much gambling going on.
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Pecker added 18:17 - Dec 31 6 new signing would be great. 2 in each department is a must if we are to collect the points needed. They do not need to be top quality, just players Lambert has identified to get us out of this. Please do not be to quick to judge any new recruits. We need to trust PL and get behind the lads.
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LWNR2013 added 18:46 - Dec 31 I hope PL and Evans pull this off together as it will put all the vitriol behind. If not, it's league one and not the end of the world - but close.
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ArnieM added 18:50 - Dec 31 PL might be targeting , but doubt Evans will achieve his managers targets day . But I have my fingers and everything else firmly crossed for him
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Facefacts added 19:18 - Dec 31 I'm surprised PL said he only speaks to potential targets once. And if they say no he won't go back. Sounds a little stubborn to me. We aren't even in January yet. Targeted players and clubs will want to see what else is on offer during January. It won't just take one phone call but serious and complex negotiations. Patience. Persistence.
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Gcon added 19:44 - Dec 31 Town supporters now have a real duty to apply maximum pressure to Marcus Evans. This window is crucial. If he doesn't support PL we are doomed. I already sense that PL is becoming frustrated, and could therefore be off in the summer. that would be a disaster. Back the club, back the manger, It's time to make yourselves heard. Enough off this apathy. Evans needs to support the manger or he should f**k off.

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inghamspur added 20:21 - Dec 31 Definitely need an upgrade personnel wise but will mean a phenomenal turnaround results wise to avoid the drop. Wonder what game it will be that we have to win to stay up? hi
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wayway added 21:27 - Dec 31 Anyone thinking we might see John Ruddy come in, possibly exchange for Bart + cash
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DurhamTownFan added 22:14 - Dec 31 Have to say that Hurst signed some rubbish over the summer didn't he? And for hugely inflated prices. Of his permanent signings, only Nolan has managed a regular place and even then he's been unconvincing. What a waste of our owners only surge of transfer optimism for about five years!
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warktheline added 23:29 - Dec 31 Lambert's chance to access the club's intentions going forward! If Evans fails to deliver then Lambert will be in no doubt the enormity of the job in hand! Division 1 beckons please stop kidding yourself folks but thereafter with Lambert I'm extremely positive Town fans will enjoy an entertaining season from div 1 going forward! Happy new year one and all 👍
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KiwiBlue2 added 01:01 - Jan 1 Would far rather 3 proven Championship or higher players than 6 journeymen. Evans has to admit the mistake in the approach to bring in League 1 and 2 players and put up the funds required to get us up the Table. Ironically it could cost him more than he pocketed on the sales of Waghorn, Webster, Garner et al BUT the cost of relegation could be substantially more damaging for the club. Will be interesting to see how it plays out, a real test of Evans's commitment....... as someone once said "I cannot afford to buy cheap" ..... can you really Mr Evans....? The proof will be in the pudding as they say....COYB

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shakytown added 03:27 - Jan 1 I agree Kiwiblue. We need quality more than quantity.
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:12 - Jan 1 cant see us doing much in the way of signings other than loans in our current position, but if that gets us safe that will do for me, then go for it in the summer .
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muccletonjoe added 09:29 - Jan 1 These are 6 players who all need to be able to play in the team , no journeymen
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smithy0981 added 09:44 - Jan 1 I personally think it won't be long before lambert becomes very disappointed and frustrated he will soon see what Evans is all about. It's the same thing every transfer window people get excited and nothing happens, I expect the same this time around do we really think Evans is going to spend when we are where we are? I think we will see 2 or 3 players coming in but they won't be anythingvto get excited about, who would want to come to ipswich seriously. I know it's all doom and gloom but it really is

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stewartm added 09:58 - Jan 1 A loan and a freebie will be about it PL, Milne, ME and co will work 24-7 to make this happen.
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oldelsworthyfan added 11:50 - Jan 1 Only six? But seriously, I agree about quality, preferably one in each department. Having leaked 5 goals in two games tells you that there is something desperately wrong in our defence. I don't know whatever has happened to Bartosz, but a change in club might suit him, if we could get an experienced keeper in return.
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happybeingblue added 11:56 - Jan 1 Why do our players never seem to be fit McGoldrick plays every game now yet with us hardly ever bishop Huws ade etc is ridiculous how little football they play,and why is Dozzell not sorted yet,surely at his age he should be back at it ,other senior pros with similar injury are back after 9 months, something not right at Portman rd Russell osman said it ages ago.

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WoodfordTim added 12:03 - Jan 1 I don't think it's about the money that ME is willing to spend or not spend, it is about players willing to join us permanently bearing in mind our league position. That brings into consideration wages now & if the worst happens, what will they be in League One and does a potential target want to take the risk of playing L1 football next season? I also worry about holding on to our promising young players if we go down. The buzzards will be circling. Anyway, enough of that, today starts our winning run to get out of trouble.

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geminimustang added 12:18 - Jan 1 Today,1st January,and West Brom,Sheff Utd and Preston have all added to their squad.I know Middlesbrough have too but they've already played both matches with ITFC for the season.PL may want 6 but no teams are waiting for ITFC to come knocking.The players are needed now and it'll be interesting to see if ME provides the funds necessary.My guess is a minimum £5M needed and PL will be lucky to see £2M and that's with Jonas being sold.

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