Blues boss Paul Lambert didn’t mince his words after Town’s embarrassing 1-0 FA Cup defeat at League One Accrington, stating that the “club should never be in the state it’s in”, that it “needs to be rebuilt” and that “players are not good enough and without a doubt some will go”. Billy Kee’s 76th minute goal saw Stanley into round four which Town last reached back in 2010.

"Sometimes you've got to play football with desire," he said. "We never had that. I thought we turned up and thought we were going to be [the better team].

"There was nothing really in the game. We give too many fouls away, freekicks, and balls come into our box and, as I've said before, we're not the biggest of teams. We've got to defend it better. But we give so many crazy fouls away, it just puts pressure on everybody.

"The second half was mostly us, we had most of the game and should have scored a few chances, but you can't keep making the errors and think it's good enough."

Reflecting on Town's current situation - bottom of the table by 10 points and dumped out of both cups by lower division sides - more widely, he added: "This club needs to be rebuilt. Players are not good enough and without a doubt some will go. You have to hit that level.

"I didn't say we were outfought, it was the desire, but I never said we were outfought because we had a go in the second half, but they dealt with the crossed balls better than we did.

"You have to be clinical in both boxes and that’s what they did, it's part of the game. I know exactly what will happen here."

Asked whether he learnt anything from the match, he responded: "Not overly, I know exactly who lets us down and who doesn't but that's the reality of the game. The game won’t wait for anybody, you have to step up to the plate and hopefully one or two guys will come in and help us."

Lambert reiterated that he doesn't take cup competitions lightly and aims to win every match he is involved in.

“Anybody that knows me knows I was really successful as a footballer and I know what it takes to win things, to play in big level games and any competition you go and try to win.

“It's not right, we had unbelievable support today and to go out again, nine years is the last time the club was through to [round four].

"This club should never be in the state it’s in. It should never be in the mess it's in."

He added: "It’s an absolute disgrace what’s happened here. It should never have happened, it's too big a club. But it does happen to clubs if you take your eye off the ball.

“I’m not going to stand here and say it's a bed of roses because we have to get the club out of the position it’s in, that's the reality of it.

"All the niceties sometimes go out the window. I'll certainly not put up with that.

"I certainly won't put up with some of the things [I saw today]. It’s not good enough for this club and that’s the reality of it. I’m not going to hide behind any rocks or smoking jackets. It's not good enough. That’s the bottom line.

“We have to be stronger as a football club and get more nasty with it as well.

"It’s my job to get players in here that can help us. We can't do an influx because of the way it's happened but we'll try and get one or two in that actually know what this [level of] football is all about."

Were there a few home truths in the dressing room afterwards? "I’ll always tell them the truth in the dressing room. I protect them to an extent with [the media] but I'll tell them the truth in the dressing room."

Regarding the seven changes he made to his team: “We had one or two injuries. Trevoh [Chalobah] hasn't recovered from the knock against Millwall and Luke [Chambers] has had a bit of a calf problem, had been carrying it and decided I think [he needed a rest].

“Bart [Bialkowski], I was always going to play. Myles [Kenlock] has done great for us but I had to have a look at Callum [Elder], who I thought did well.

"I think Will Keane is going to be a really good player for us. I thought Andre [Dozzell] did well in the centre of the pitch. The team is mine, I pick it, no problem. Where we let ourselves down is in both boxes."

Lambert confirmed that Flynn Downes was subbed at the break as he was concerned that the midfielder might get sent off having been booked in the first half for a clash with Accrington's Sam Finley.

“I think if you raise your hands you give the referee a decision to make," he said. "I had to watch that situation so he didn’t get red-carded.”

Why did he wait until the 80th minute to add a second striker to his attack when Ellis Harrison was introduced? “We did it at the end but then it becomes this long ball game at certain times and I don’t want to be that type of team.

"But we had chances to score not just with two up top, we had chances in the second half without a two. We just never defended the box.”

Lambert says more new additions could arrive early in the week to come with Cardiff winger Anthony Pilkington believed to be among the players currently in discussions.

“We’re trying to do a couple and hopefully they will come at the start of the week. We’ll see,” he added.

“If I need to, I’ll get half a dozen players that know what this club needs to succeed in Championship football.”

Accringtn manager John Coleman was delighted with his side's winning goal and is now eyeing a trip to Anfield in the next round.

"Billy took his chance, it's something we have worked on in training and I am delighted for the lads," he said.

"The finances from a cup run, and a good draw, can change this club not only for this season but next season too.

"It means we can strengthen for this season if we do get a plum draw in the next round.

"As a Liverpool fan, Liverpool away would suit me but I would also like anyone at home. Realistically we are never going to win the cup, although fairytales do happen."

Photo: Action Images

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 19:17 - Jan 5 PL had to say what he said to remain credible. I just hope he's in it for the long haul.
6

tpryke1982 added 19:18 - Jan 5 Protest next week against Evans #evansout
1

Cakeman added 19:18 - Jan 5 Very well said Paul Lambert. I really like this chap who has the courage to say it as it is when needed. No doubt we are a complete shambles. The best result we could could get this season is to keep hold of Paul Lambert. We know 95% of our players are not fit to wear the shirt but our manager is top class. My only fear is that our owner will not like hearing reality. Delia certainly didn't when I understand Paul made his feelings known at Carrot Road. Hopefully Evans will finally listen to someone who knows a hell of a lot about fottball.

20

Swn98 added 19:19 - Jan 5 At Last a manager who's got the guts to say what we the long suffering fans have been saying for the last 5 years Some of the players are not good enough. Could this be the start of a new era i hope so we must get 100% behind PL I Am afraid we are in the last chance saloon
24

raycrawfordswig added 19:22 - Jan 5 Come out from under your rock Evans you are nothing but an asset stripping coward .
1

ghostofescobar added 19:22 - Jan 5 At last, someone not hiding behind being worried about their own salary and saying what we've been saying for years. PL, you may fail, but it won't be your fault. Will this put the rocket up ME's arse? I doubt it. What has happened to this club.
8

Ryorry added 19:23 - Jan 5 Well said Mr. Lambert, now please go and give it to ME straight from the shoulder, no frills. He needs to see that not spending on quality players right now would be false economy of the extreme kind.
7

itsonlyme added 19:24 - Jan 5 F F S Anyone who thinks we can escape the drop is delusional! We are a complete shambles, an embarrassment to the championship and it breaks my heart more than anyone will ever know. Have been supporting the team since 1959 and I can honestly say this is the worst I have ever known. We all thought the John Duncan era was poor but I can tell all town fans this is definitely the worst period in our history. How are we going to get back up - I really don't know. It starts at the very top and it is very clear that we need a new owner who is prepared to bankroll the club. Easier said than done. Not sure Lambert has the desire to take the fight up. Does not matter who he brings in it will be too little too late. Very very depressed of Bury St. Edmunds.

8

Swn98 added 19:24 - Jan 5 Ray Crawford? the club hasn't got any assets to strip the only assets it has are the players and they aren't worth a dollar between them
8

tractorboybig added 19:26 - Jan 5 lambert talks the talk.. no change to the results though....still simple minds believe anything
-3

Bergholtblue added 19:29 - Jan 5 2 up front and we start playing hoof ball again. If we go that way we might as well have kept McCarthy
3

ITFCsince73 added 19:29 - Jan 5 Looks like PL has aged years after being in the building months. Maybe the Milne effect. Looks stressed to hell.
0

JimInGreensboro added 19:31 - Jan 5 “If I need to, I'll get half a dozen players that know what this club needs to succeed in Championship football.” Laddy, the chat board could have told you that months ago.
4

marco007 added 19:36 - Jan 5 Finally we hear the truth...not all this sugary sweet crap about how well we have been playing! Us fans are not mugs and although i am NOT blaming PL for our demise things have not really improved since he took over. Normally a new manager results in a spike with form but alas our pain just goes on and on and on ...
5

runningout added 19:37 - Jan 5 takes defeat to Accrington for reality to step in. But think Lambert knew a while ago. I said in previous post our club has been murdered. I'm not blaming ME, but think he has been betrayed and advised wrongly since he rescued us from deeper poo. I have followed ITFC for over 44 years. This is too sad right now
7

runaround added 19:41 - Jan 5 Excellent words from Lambert but why keep playing those who aren't good enough & constantly let us down? We are going down so the rebuild should start tonight, continue to play the youngsters who are good enough to get them more experienced and battle hardened for next season promotion push. As for getting in 6 players, it won't happen as other clubs will pay more in wages whilst Evans will constantly haggle & miss out

4

Pecker added 19:42 - Jan 5 You don't say.
0

TonyMowbray added 19:48 - Jan 5 The best decisions Evans could make now is securing the long term services of Lambert, giving him the back he needs (League 1 or Championship) and staying well out the way!
7

slatsisatractorboy added 19:48 - Jan 5 @footballmad You're a chopper mate; do one. We don't need people like you supporting this club. The majority of sane people know Lambert is doing his best with an appaling squad. Who would do a better job? McCarthy. Who you probably wanted out in the first place for not playing proper football in the first place. Your incredulous comments serve nothing but your own purpose to gain a reaction. Get bent.

4

warktheline added 19:49 - Jan 5 As I predicted yesterday! So the penny finally drops Mr Lambert, and in doing so 'chirpy Paul' turns ( as I predicted when appointed) to our very own ( we've been here before 😂 ) 'Dark Lord' ( the return ) !!!!! Rid of them by the 'bucket load' Lambert and thereafter 'crestfallen' Ipswich supporters will turn to scrutinise you! Your very own reputation is very much on the line, here's hoping Evans doesn't 'shaft' you as I hope you do to the vast majority of 'free wheeling' so called footballers currently disgracing the 'blue shirt'!!!!!! Happy new year!!!

4

Europablue added 19:52 - Jan 5 There wasn't much point in Lambert saying his players were rubbish before he got to the transfer window. It was important for him to show his more critical side, and it's good he did it now that he can actual strengthen the team. I'm not that bothered about losing in the cup, it just would have been nice to lose 1-0 to a Premier League team. Worse than the result is the effect the result could have on the rest of our season. If Lambert can keep us up he deserves a knighthood

7

blueboy1981 added 19:53 - Jan 5 Lambert is on a short fuse already - and being totally truthful. Don't be surprised at anything from this point.
10

knitfc78 added 19:53 - Jan 5 Paul Lambert can turn the club around, but it will take time and he needs the support to achieve it, i don't believe that Marcus Evans is the person to provide that support and there we have a problem.
4

Bluesaway added 19:54 - Jan 5 I think Harrison has potential, Edwards started well but has dropped in form but has shown he can cut it, not convinced by the rest. Jackson seems able to play if he is alongside another striker, which doesn't seem to be the PL model. Nolan is unconvincing and doesn't add goals as the attacking midfielder, and Nsiala and Donacien don't seem to figure in his long term thinking. We should go back to the starting XI West Ham - young, with pace and enthusiasm, supplemented by some good PL additions.

3

stevieg added 20:01 - Jan 5 ME what a complete coward stand up and face the fans or f..k off
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