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Lambert: Cotter Has to Force His Way Into My Thoughts
Friday, 9th Aug 2019 12:34

Town boss Paul Lambert says young defender Barry Cotter needs to follow in the footsteps of Idris El Mizouni, Armando Dobra and Bailey Clements and force his way back into the first-team squad.

Cotter, 20, made a huge impression on fans when he made his debut at right-back in former boss Mick McCarthy’s final game in charge, the 1-0 home win against Barnsley in April 2018, but after appearing as a late sub a couple of weeks later at Reading has not featured for the senior side again.

Last week, he joined fellow Irishman Aaron Drinan in spending time on trial at GAIS in Sweden with the striker now having joined the Superetten team on loan until January, for “games and experience,” according to manager Lambert.

But Cotter has returned to Suffolk and played for the U23s as they drew 0-0 at Maldon & Tiptree on Wednesday.

“Barry came back, which is not a problem,” Lambert said. “I don’t have a problem with that at all. He’ll train as normal, but that never happened.”

Asked where things are with the Irish U21s call-up at present, Lambert added: “The same, he has to impress me, that’s normal, any footballer has to impress a manager that comes in and Barry falls into that category, you have to impress me to show me what you can do.”

He says the former Limerick man has work to do to get into his thoughts: “Yes, Dobra’s done it, forced his way through, Bailey’s done it, forced his way through, Idris has done it, forced his way through. You have to force your way through as a young player.”

Lambert says he’d have no qualms about fielding Dobra or Clements, along with El Mizouni subs at Burton last week, if they were required at any stage but says they’re far from ready to play regularly.

“No, none they did it in pre-season,” he continued. “But, as I said before, that’s a monumental ask for two young kids who have just stepped out of U18 football to go into this type of football.

“I think you’re being delusional if you think they’re ready-made players, they’re not, they’re kids learning, who if the truth be known, if we had a stronger squad they would be fleetingly in and out.

"But at the minute they’re training with us every single day, but that’s where the club is. We can’t do anything else, that’s what we have to do.”


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midastouch added 13:00 - Aug 9
Might need to send Barry Cotter out on loan to Hogwarts to rediscover his magic touch.
1

JewellintheTown added 13:28 - Aug 9
Paul & Barry? What a partnership.

ITFC's own Chuckle brothers!

"To me, to you".
2

chrisw2045 added 13:49 - Aug 9
Perhaps if Paul went to watch the U23 games, such as the one midweek (i appreciate it was his 50th birthday though!) then he would be able to see how Cotter is clearly ahead of the rest of them and needs to be in and around the first team especially when our options at right back are limited.
-4

midastouch added 14:01 - Aug 9
Cotter starting to look more like a Jordan Roberts lookalike than a Neymar lookalike! ;-)
1

BluePG added 14:33 - Aug 9
Have a friend who works for the club. Cotter has, apparently, a tricky temperament. To put it politely.
2

PositivelyPortman added 14:36 - Aug 9
Perhaps PL isn't impressed with his attitude - could be?
If he came back early from this trial, it may be that he didn't impress them either.
4

PositivelyPortman added 14:38 - Aug 9
Just seen your post BluePG.
0

Suffolkboy added 15:34 - Aug 9
Looks like there is talent but a certain degree of immaturity and a suspect temperament .
If that's the case ,then either the player takes a good look at himself .determines to apply himself in every way ,O.R the sooner he's out of here the better .
COYB
3

Vancouver_Blue added 16:23 - Aug 9
Still dont see why Josh Emmanuel can't get a start. Rotherhams POTY in 2017
0

TimmyH added 16:42 - Aug 9
Training in just his jock strap maybe?
0

Linkboy13 added 17:31 - Aug 9
I watch the u23s regularly Cotters no where near the first team Lambert doesn't watch the u23s because of the poor standard but players like El Mizouni Clements and Dobra have got into the squad you'll always get fans saying why don't we try him I'm backing Lambert on this one.
2

chrisw2045 added 20:19 - Aug 9
Linkboy - I clearly see a different player when I watch the Under 23s then. He is the most vocal on the pitch too. I actually agree it appears his temperature is suspect at time, as we have seen on occasions with his red card towards the end of last season but there potentially is a quality player there. How you can say he is no where near I completely disagree. I also cannot remember a debut like his in some time. I don't actually understand why my above post above has so many dislikes against it. Anyhow a player to watch who has a massive future is 1st year scholar Nyam Mesuria, going to be quality!
1

Linkboy13 added 20:27 - Aug 9
If Cotter was anywhere near the first team squad he would not have gone on loan but then again what does Paul Lambert know.
1

harlingblue added 02:21 - Aug 10
Barry Cotter has all the attributes to be a very good player, apart from his temperament.
1


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