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Lambert: We Were Fantastic
Wednesday, 13th Feb 2019 22:57

Blues boss Paul Lambert was full of praise for his side after their 1-1 home draw with Derby County from which they probably deserved more than a point.

“I thought we were brilliant, bar 60 seconds of the game,” Lambert said. “I’m proud of them, I’m proud of the supporters.

“We were well in the fight, if we keep showing that, we’re well in the fight. If we play like that and have that desire and fight, then I don’t think anybody can ever point the finger.”

The Blues boss admitted he had a feeling of déjà vu when Derby, like Norwich on Sunday, went ahead after two minutes.

“We started well and then from their first attack [they went in front], it took a deflection I think.

“If you look at the team it was really young but it’s the way forward for the club. Young players sometimes make mistakes but what you do get is incredible honesty and desire and I thought we were fantastic.”

Blues nemesis David Nugent almost grabbed a second Derby goal at the end with a header which Matthew Pennington deflected against the bar but Lambert felt a Rams’ winner would have been wholly undeserved.

“There was only one team that was going to win it, it was ourselves,” he insisted. “We were relentless against a really good side, who have so much resources, better than us, all those things that go with the game. But the performance level, from start to finish, I thought we were very good.”

Jon Nolan scored Town’s goal, his second of the season, within two minutes of coming off the bench but Lambert says it wasn’t an inspired tactical decision on his behalf.

“There’s been a bug going around the club,” he explained. “Trevoh had it before the Norwich game, Cole Skuse has got it, I think last night.

“Flynn I think has got it, he had stomach cramps which was hurting him so we had to take him off.


“We were going to do it at half-time but he said he wanted to try it and then Nolan pops up with a great goal.

“I only left Nolan out because of the work-rate he did on Sunday, but the boy’s got a goal in him.”

Lambert had praise for strike pair Collin Quaner and Will Keane, as well as number 10 Alan Judge: “They were excellent, the two of them, Keane and Quaner. Keane’s been playing really well, led the line really well. I thought Quaner was why I brought him in really, that presence as a centre forward.

“Judge is getting better [with every game] and his delivery, on the ball, the timing, you can talk about bravery, tackling and being aggressive.

“Bravery is when you take the ball anywhere on the pitch and the wee man certainly does that, he’s brilliant to work with.”

Lambert was also pleased with Jonas Knudsen’s display at the centre of the defence: “He did great. I put him in only because of the left foot balance.

“I thought he did really, really well, he’s got a left foot that can get you out of trouble at certain times on that side of the pitch. That’s why I decided to go with Jonas.

“The team was really young. I thought Teddy Bishop was outstanding and I think Bishop will get better and better.”

Bishop, who signed a new contract last week, was seen with ice on his ankle following the final whistle.

Lambert says a performance like that gives encouragement that Town can still avoid the drop.

“Absolutely, if we keep doing that and keep playing, we’re not going away, we’re not dwindling or anything,” he added.

“We’ve incredible support behind us and if we keep doing what we’re doing, let’s keep doing what we’re doing and let’s see what happens. But there are a helluva lot of games.”

Despite some fans suggesting Town ought to already be looking to next season, Lambert says he’s not ready to throw in the towel.

“Never give up,” he said. “I told you I’ll pick a fight! I’ve never given up in my career and I won some really high honours, trophies in that, but I never won one for being Mr Nice.

“I’ve got a nasty streak and a great desire and hopefully that transforms to everybody else. The support have got it, the players should certainly have it, the staff have got it, we just have to make sure we never give up. As long as it’s possible, anything can happen."

Lambert was unsure whether the likes of Luke Chambers (foot), James Collins (hamstring) and Cole Skuse (illness) will be back for Saturday's home game against Stoke City.

Derby manager Frank Lampard was disappointed his team didn’t build on their early lead.

"After a start like that, against a team that - no disrespect to Ipswich - are bottom of the table, that gave us the perfect start to go on and try to control the game ," he said.

"But if you give possession away too frequently, too easily, you can't control any game. We breathed life into their team, hence the result.

"Our quality in terms of possession was disappointing. We gave it away far too cheaply, far too many times, sometimes under no pressure at all. We went back into areas when we should have come out of areas.

"I think we should be very thankful to the two centre-halves [Richard Keogh and Fikayo Tomori], who I thought were very good.

"As a team, we need to keep the ball much better than that. We've got aspirations here to try to get in the play-offs. We're trying to get higher up the league.

“If we play at 60, 70 per cent, then it's difficult wherever you go in this league , because you have to respect everyone.

"When you have off days, that's when you need to dig in, not make the mistake that led to the goal and come away with a 1-0. Unfortunately, we couldn't do that.

"The last 10 minutes, it was us that were pushing and we had some good chances. Really, we should have scored one of them to win the game. But the team performance wasn’t good enough."


Photo: TWTD



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ashp19 added 23:04 - Feb 13
If there is to be a turning point tonight was it!
10

Sm00411 added 23:13 - Feb 13
No skuse, no Chambers, four academy products. Is this result a Coincidence? I think not.
30

Bert added 23:20 - Feb 13
For once Lambert is not over egging the performance; we really were fantastic. A joy to watch tonight with a cracking atmosphere. We made Derby look ordinary.
22

blueherts added 23:34 - Feb 13
Great shape .front foot football . Real talent in our squad . With Lankester Morris etc coming back next season gonna be great

Sign up Judgie
15

MichaelRockyLavelle added 23:40 - Feb 13
I think whilst the lack of Chambers & Skuse might be telling
- what I think is the biggest difference is having a balanced CB pairing (Left foot at LCB)
And the formation 442 (diamond)
With Judge just behind a pair of strikers
6

Warkys_Tash added 23:48 - Feb 13
Lambert team selection and system spot on tonight.

Farke off, big spending Lampard. Sour grapes. Did anyone see Farke crying tonight moaning that Preston score 3 from 4 shots on target? Was crying about them scoring from their only 3 chances of the game on Sunday was he??
12

Mark added 23:51 - Feb 13
What an excellent performance is the toughest of circumstances. Bottom of the league, on a losing run, playing a big spending side, injuries, illnesses, conceding another very early goal...yet we played with flair, confidence and style. The lads were a credit to themselves and the club. I am looking forward to next season and promotion back to the Championship.
16

SingBlue added 00:00 - Feb 14
Many thanks PL - you've finally given me a team I want to watch. Yes we're going down but with that attitude and style we'll have a great chance of coming straight back up, whilst being a pleasure to watch. Hopefully the support will continue to build too, then when we come back we'll be a powerful unit. Excellent stuff.
16

KernewekBlue added 00:29 - Feb 14
I tuned in this evening fearing the worst... Derby's recent record against our own suggested a real thumping was on the cards.

How lovely it was to watch a Town side dominate the ball, get it down, look forward and actually make some decent, creative passes. We won the big battles all over the park tonight.

We looked keen and hungry, the hold up play was good, the movement off the ball was so much better than I've seen for months and we actually looked like a real threat going forward. Our defending, the first two or three minutes aside (the deflection for their goal was so cruel), was also so much better.

There were a few eye watering moments in the last ten minutes when they pushed for the win but wow! What a difference. We have to field that same team in every game we have left and play with the same freedom and intensity we showed this evening. Very, very watchable performance.

Well done to all involved in picking up the pieces from the Norwich game and turning out a show like that. Great entertainment!
14

chevvymalc added 00:46 - Feb 14
In West Indies on England cricket tour (look for Tractor boy on tour flag)really pleased with tonight's effort after disappointing Norwich result so looking forward to first game on return at West Brom . It looks like PL has the bottle to play whoever will do the job young or old unlike fickle previous wallies, at least it won't be for want of trying on the pitch and well done to our fans for in the face of adversity backing the manager and team with their great support.
So come on Town keep adding those points on and look forward to getting back in the swing at West Brom in March !!! 👍👍👍
2

shakytown added 04:15 - Feb 14
If only we would have spent a bit of cash on a classy player like Lawrence. I think the whole season would have been totally different.
4

Karlosfandangal added 05:13 - Feb 14
Agree Mr Lambert.

Now keep the side for Saturday, don't start swapping players around unless you have too.
Make players fight for their places back in the side.

Still have a chance to stay up..........maybe
5

muccletonjoe added 05:22 - Feb 14
The best I have seen us play under Lambert. Far too late now for this season. But play like that in league one and we will have some smiles on our faces. There are no teams as good or as well equipped as Derby down there.
6

KiwiBlue2 added 05:42 - Feb 14
Well at least Nugent did not score against us. Would have been great to get the points as we are overdue a bit of the rub of the green .... hopefully it will start on Saturday if the same line-up and approach happens....... coyb
3

KiwiBlue2 added 06:09 - Feb 14
muccletonjoe - good point regarding the level of quality in League 1. Also some of our players will struggle less down there (e.g. Nolan, Edwards, Nsiala, Jackson, Harrison) and be more competitive. That happening along with us holding some of our best players (e.g. Bishop, Dozzel, Bart, Lankester and one or two others) could see our stay there being limited to one season.
6

martin587 added 06:43 - Feb 14
Best performance under PL.Cannot fault the commitment.Very impressed with everybody.I would love to see the same Saturday.For me Judge was outstanding.👍
14

phillev231069 added 06:59 - Feb 14
Well played Town, but we need to try and do this consistently!
1

blueherts added 07:51 - Feb 14
I think more than anything for the first time in years we have a coaching team who look at a style and formation of playing . Yes it was one game and we drew BUT so many positives we should take tonight from a top side who have some big ticket names. We played players in their right positions but did it on the front foot. We have been starved of entertainment for years and with the younger players plus some of the experience - sign up Judge - Div 1 - which i think is likely - should and could be a great chance to build . Good atmosphere as well . Sometimes u need to go back go progress long term . Look at the prem and top half kf the championship . Alot of Div one clubs from past 10 years
4

ITFCsince73 added 08:51 - Feb 14
Be carefull what you wish for?
I've been wishing for a performance and atmosphere like that at Portman Road for a long long time. And while cast away at the bottom. Just amazing.
Imagine what next season can be like.
And not surprised one bit PL wants to stay for the ride.
9

ChrisFelix added 09:02 - Feb 14
Some mobility in midfield at last. Any coincidence that snail Skuse was missing
5

CraigEdwards added 09:24 - Feb 14
Proud to be a blue .
It's not over yet
6

heathen66 added 09:39 - Feb 14
It was a great performance and playing 2 up top (some of us have been saying this for months) was the catalyst for this, as it is easier to defend when the ball is being held up front !!!. Chalobah in the holding midfield role was superb and protected the defence extremely well and will be a real star if allowed to flourish (will have to be away from Chelsea I am afraid).
Chuck him the armband as it looks as though the thrives on responsibility and never one to back down or shy away. Show him that he is wanted here...you never know he may like to see himself as a linchpin in a young vibrant side for the next 3 years in his career development, rather than on loan here on loan there and then at 27, realise the game has passed him by...and still a Chelsea player never to play in the 1st team!!!
4

IpswichT62OldBoy added 10:05 - Feb 14
Paul Lambert, thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving us back the Ipswich Town we love.
6

midastouch added 10:17 - Feb 14
If we're going to go down (which sadly seems almost inevitable when you look at the table and remaining fixtures) then let's go down playing like this, that's what I call going down in style. While I'm 90% resigned to relegation, if however we push on next season with our young players playing in this style of football under Lambert then we have nothing to fear of the future no matter which division we're in. Sometimes it's necessary in life to take a step backwards in order to take 2 forwards. Let's trust in the youth, that's what Burley said when he put himself forward for the job and I was so pleased when Paul Lambert came out earlier in the week and said the same too.
It's a big ask but if we could keep Judge and possibly Keane in League One (although prob not financially viable unless Evans will go that extra mile) then that really would be a statement of intent. When Norwich went down they did some good recruiting with the likes of Wes Hoolahan and look how that worked out. I will confess that I saw what might of been Wes Hoolahan's first ever game for Norwich possibly which happened to be at my local team Gorleston in a pre-season friendly and even though it was against much lower-level opposition I saw enough that night to think they had got a good one on their hands there. What I'm saying is I think Judge could do very similar for us in League 1 if we could keep hold of him. He'd be well worth pushing the boat out for if you're listening Marcus :-)
5

midastouch added 10:23 - Feb 14
And I've been well impressed with Chalobah lately, would be great to get him on loan for another season too if Chelsea were open to it. He might not want to drop yet a further division. I was well impressed with him against West Ham, then I started having a few doubts. But lately he's really stepped up and I'd be thrilled if we could somehow keep hold of him for another season.
6


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