Town boss Paul Lambert says he’s unconcerned that the Blues will be viewed as one of the favourites to win promotion from League One next season.

“I’d rather have that pressure on my shoulders that we are there to be shot at,” Lambert told the club site.

“We will have targets on our back and in those circumstances you have to rise above it and deal with that challenge. That’s what we have to do.

“The young players we have here are learning on the job and they will have to learn quickly. They have to have that desire to go week in, week out.

“Young is only 17, 18 though. We have players here who are 21, 22, 23. They can’t hide behind that young tag any more.

“They will need time for sure and they will make mistakes along the way. Ultimately though, they have to deliver. That’s what being a professional footballer is all about.”

Photo: TWTD

AYACCA added 15:28 - May 16 if they're old enough they're good enough
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lightingblue added 15:34 - May 16 In all fairness we were favourites this season, and to a man they fulfilled that tag really well!!
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 15:42 - May 16 Need Norwood and a couple more in the door to be deemed favorites.
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Suffolkboy added 15:45 - May 16 Let's all stay grounded , we've a really good management team in place ,well led and motivated : let's get ,and stay,with them and behind them ! COYB
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Barty added 15:45 - May 16 Last season most people thought Sunderland would walk League 1 but that didn't happen.
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Dissboyitfc added 15:47 - May 16 I think the saying goes, if they are good enough they are old enough!
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TractorCam added 15:53 - May 16 Who said that Barty? A team on the back of a double relegation with players that couldn't be bothered to play or in some case even turn up for training!
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SteveMcCallsTeeth added 16:34 - May 16 This saying if you are good enough you are old enough. Trouble is, they arnt good enough!
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BuckieBlue added 16:36 - May 16 If you look as the top of league one this year, the (traditionally) bigger clubs have risen to the top, which I find encouraging for us, in that quality (hopefully we've got enough!) comes through, but only 3 go up....we'll have to be on it from the beginning or very quickly at least. COYB.
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itsonlyme added 16:38 - May 16 Most blues fans know it won't be easy. I've said before and say again, we need to hit the ground running and PL will have our support but be warned if he fails miserably to deliver I fear our support will quickly deminish.
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DJpatrovers1 added 16:43 - May 16 If they're good enough they're old enough I believe, not the other way round!
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Cheshire_Blue added 17:00 - May 16 It is easier to avoid relegation than it is to win promotion.
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TimmyH added 17:12 - May 16 Not quite sure why we are one of the favourites, a majority of the players that played a fair amount of games in the season gone by will probably be starting or on the bench and that includes our younger lads and there's a big question mark if they'll cut the mustard in League one. As a club and it's history there will be a fair few sides in League One will try to scalp us...

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ArnieM added 17:18 - May 16 I'm glad Lambert is setting out his stall with the players now. There can be no misunderstandings going into the summer break. If you survive the close season cull, you are deemed good enough , then you'd better step up to the plate. We have to hit the ground running in August ! COYBs
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tractorboybig added 17:24 - May 16 paul...surely its time to stop your crap waffle and do the job you are paid to do,
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Bergholtblue added 17:35 - May 16 "We have players here who are 21, 22, 23. They can't hide behind that young tag any more." Well said, it is the last chance saloon for some of our 'youngsters' they need to prove themselves from the start or move on.
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Dissboyitfc added 17:50 - May 16 steveMcCallsteeth.. the point is, being good enough is not dependant on age, the fact that many are not good enough does not dispute the fact, if they are good enough they are old enough!
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chepstowblue added 17:56 - May 16 I don't understand why we're fancied. Making the play offs would be an incredible achievement. We start the season no more likely than anybody else. No aura,no fear factor, and very few individuals that will look any better than the average league1 standard. We've got decent players who need to show that they're a cut above in football terms, because we are going to get bullied,battered and bruised by some of the lg1 sides i've seen recently. Plenty of games like the Accrington cup tie to follow !

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timkatieadamitfc added 18:12 - May 16 If anyone thinks we are going to win this league I think they're in for a shock. We can't score or defend and will be starting with Chambers/Skuse every game. Having said that if we can get 3/4 players like Norwood(outstanding in play offs imo)then I'd be a bit more optimistic, defensively woeful this season, that needs sorting urgently.
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62WasBest added 18:55 - May 16 Being favourites is meaningless. It just adds unwanted pressure. The job is still exactly the same, whether favourites or rank outsiders. Focus and determination are what are needed to succeed, as much as outright ability.
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LegendofthePhoenix added 19:06 - May 16 I want to see PL strengthen our coaching team, especially defensively. Our defence was all over the place last season, we had players who were ok, but whoever we played, the defence looked like they didn't know what they were supposed to be doing, it was calamitous at times. Coaches are a lot cheaper than players, so get some good experienced coaches in there Paul.

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ChateauWines added 19:08 - May 16 It is time for all those players who are retained to step up and repay the loyalty shown to them from Paul Lambert and indeed us. I like this statement. No excuses
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cornishnick added 19:18 - May 16 We should embrace the favourites tag. Makes a nice change to being written off every season. Its been quite a few years since anyone said we are the best team they've played that season. Let's aim for that.
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whosroundisitanyway added 19:26 - May 16 Nice one Cornish Good to see a bit of positivity. Some people on here really depress me.
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mrmorisato added 19:37 - May 16 CANNON FODDER And, it is Marcus Evans who has left them on the battlefield with NO REINFORCEMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #EvansOut
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