Blues boss Paul Lambert says Marcus Evans is a “very good” club owner but admits he doesn’t always agree with him and says the pair have “running battles”.

Asked at last night’s PLC AGM whether Evans was going to back him with cash for experienced signings in January, Lambert said: “The last conversation I had with Marcus was him saying to never really protect him. And I agree with him, I won’t protect him in a lot of stuff, I did it once and it never did me any favours.

“There two sides to look at him, I think. If he wasn’t as good as what he was then your club could be the same as Bury, it could be in real trouble. He keeps everything afloat. We work within the parameters of what he says.

“Do I agree with him all the time? No, I don’t. I don’t agree with him all the time. I’ll probably want things that he doesn’t want and vice versa, it’s give or take with him.

“But as an owner he’s very good because he looks after the club where you look at the way some football clubs are run now, it’s a precarious business that the owners are in.

“Unless there are so many investors, five or six of them, then that’s not a problem, but you’ve got one investor here.

“I heard the debt earlier, £90-odd million. Jesus! That’s incredible, absolutely incredible. You look at that side of it, there are good bits to him.

“But definitely, the other side of it, we have a running battle, [general manager of football operations] Lee [O’Neill] will tell you, we have running battles. And probably the best man wins and [the other one] succumbs to it.

“We can’t go and buy loads of players, it’s impossible, that isn’t going to happen, spending millions isn’t going to happen, that’s me being realistic.

“We have to try and battle against a lot of things to try and get ones in that we think can help us, whether that’s experience, young guys who have played 100 games, that’s experience.

“So, if we can’t go out and do it, no doubt me and Marcus will probably have a little nibble at each other!”

O’Neill added: “It’s also important to point out that we’ve got a big squad. We’ve got players returning from injury, players that we’ve had at the football club that have done very well.

“Both Freddie [Sears] and Teddy [Bishop] are coming back from long-term injuries, that’s two more players to add to the existing squad.

“I think there’s really healthy competition, so if we are looking at any players out there, they have to be fundamentally better than what we’ve got or not stopping the opportunity for one of the younger players coming through.

“It’s an ongoing conversation, they don’t just stop and happen in the transfer window in the summer and in the winter, they’re ongoing conversations that myself, Paul and Marcus have all the time about the squad and areas we can make improvements on. Whether that be financial or development, we have to look at it all the time.”

O’Neill says Evans has shown willingness to loosen the purse strings when signings have been required.

“I’d just like to say that 12 months ago we were talking about how much more involved Marcus was going to be involved in the day to day operations of the football club,” he added.

“Myself and Mark Andrews, head of finance, have lots of meetings with Marcus and we have got that long-term strategy and plan and vision in place, along with the manager’s thoughts on how we’re going to play.

“Like we’ve talked about, it is one of our key initiatives to bring younger players through the football club.

"“We’re not going to be in a position where we’re going to have an open chequebook in the transfer windows to go and buy significant players.

“But if you look at the last window where, for example, we didn’t have a successful right-back in the building that we feel can do the job the manager required, Marcus was willing to invest into that area [by signing Kane Vincent-Young from Colchester for £500,000] and we looked at the strategy going forward.

“I think it will be looking out there, with the recruitment strategy, we wouldn’t invest in those areas if we weren’t looking.

“We have to go out there and try and find the right blend of players that can fit both the way the manager wants to play, the age profile and the position profile.

“And if we can do that, and if we can find them at the right price, then I’m sure that’s a situation Marcus will look at.

“But one of our fundamental strategies though is to try and encourage the development of the younger players from within the club.”

You can find notes from the question and answer session on the TWTD Forum here.

Photo: TWTD

dirtydingusmagee added 17:09 - Dec 17 Not many of your Facebook army on here backing you up Blue, they can join in ,we dont mind , as far as i know there's no lower age limit on here.All you insults at those able to be a bit more rational only make you seem like the simple one .
2

Suffolkboy added 17:22 - Dec 17 WHAT a pity there seems no end to those wishing and wanting to cast about for blame ! Of course we are where we are and deserve so to be ; grow up,most sides have ups and downs and for the best part ,as in life ,there is no quick answer ,no magic wand , only a solid determination to reverse the trend ,stabilise and start upwards once again . That's exactly what PL and Co are trying to do ! So let's be calm ,collected and ONLY supportive and positive : COYB

3

Bluearmy_81 added 17:27 - Dec 17 Wow. - 2 for my last post. From Ipswich town fans. That is literally mind blowing 🤯
-2

Carberry added 17:50 - Dec 17 Never mind what he should have done or who could do it better, the reality is the owner is £100m down and we are in League 1. What more evidence is required that we are no longer a big club and the way back is astonishingly difficult if not impossible. Whatever people say about making suggestions it's a fact that this owner will not return us to the Premier League. And the most poignant argument on here is that we aren't Bury. Christmas is for memories, that's all we have.

4

WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:10 - Dec 17 No. BlueBarmy 81 is our only dope!
3

norfolkbluey added 18:11 - Dec 17 All of ye, stop yure grating. There are always for and against's in any argument but we all love the club and that's what counts. Moaning will not change anything just support the club in every way you can especially the manager and the owner. There are going to be things we see that we don't agree about both on the pitch and off such as the constant rotation of players but surely you don't think mouthing off about here is going to change PL's approach. All it will do is stress you out and shorten your life. Just start praying that our players start returning to form. You think you're stressed think what its like for them playing in front of 20000 critics!

1

Kickingblock added 18:40 - Dec 17 Better the devil you know?
2

BettyBlue added 19:03 - Dec 17 We're not going anywhere with either Marcus Evans or Paul Lambert. Look at their track records over the last ten years.
-1

Saxonblue74 added 19:25 - Dec 17 Norfolkbluey, it's all about sharing opinions on this forum. Most are able to do so without showing their ignorance by hurling abusive language and references at those with differing opinions.
3

tractorboybig added 19:33 - Dec 17 unfortuantly paul, like all the managers evans has disastrously employed , you to are a mistake.
0

TimmyH added 19:34 - Dec 17 Notice when we start struggling the issue with Evans crops up with some supporters but then the manager wades in as well but when results are going our way Evans name goes quiet again...personally feel with Bish and Sears returning shortly and hopefully an addition or so in January (probably a loan) its down to Lambert to produce the goods and no sideways glancing elsewhere for this season.

2

Dissboyitfc added 19:39 - Dec 17 Not a surprising headline at all! I will say one thing, for those who say we are in a mess and say its all evans fault i say this we were in a mess when he took over and if he was to just walk away we would be in a real mess, perhaps even go into non-existence, so we could have a better owner and we could also have a worse owner! so until a better owner comes along, which is what we would all love, lets support what we have!

5

Saxonblue74 added 19:55 - Dec 17 TimmyH, I think it's very healthy to have differing opinions at the very top of our club. Whatever the profession there is always something to learn from others. There is no suggestion that owner and manager are not getting along, simply that things get discussed and that ultimately somebody gets their way. Who wants a "yes man" as either owner or manager? Not me!
2

SouperJim added 20:04 - Dec 17 BA81 so we're £100m in debt and your ground breaking solution to this problem? Spend more money! Absolutely brilliant. Well done. Clearly the club needs a genius like you in charge, all our problems would be sorted out overnight!
6

Cakeman added 20:35 - Dec 17 Very well said ArnieM, fully agree with you. Sky have destroyed the game which I once enjoyed. These day's I don't even get upset when we lose.
4

herfie added 21:10 - Dec 17 I'm no great fan of ME; but accept that without his continuing financial support we probably wouldn't have a club to support. If there was ever going to be a Russian Oligarch, or Middle Eastern squillionaire to buy him out, then we would probably be reaping the benefits. But until those big shiny limos make their way up the A12, or sleek yachts heave to at the Waterfront, let PL and ME have their lovers' tiffs, let us supporters slug it out on here and let the lads give their all for the cause. Because, ultimately, we all want the same outcomes - but, critically, there has to exist a club to pour blood, sweat, tears and money into. ME gives us that much. COYB!

7

blues1 added 23:03 - Dec 17 Bluearmy81. That shows ur total ignorance. You want him to spend some of his "billions". He doesnt have billions. His total value is somewhere between £700-800million. And that's not money in his bank account, that's wealth that's mostly tied up in his businesses. When will u get that in ur head. He doesnt have pots of cash to spend. If he was to somehow get the money to spend the way you want him to, wed have no club within a year. As for ur suggestion we need to buy in january to compete ? We have the best squad in this division. What it needs is for Lambert to stop rotating and we'll be ok. And to show how stupid ur comments are, when the team are playing well and winning, ur rarely if ever seen on here. But when they have a dip in form u suddenly appear and blame Evan's. Sorry, but didnt realise he picks the team and the tactics. And if u read the article urcpoint about him spending within limits is quite clearly answered. Lee o'Neill made it clear that if they want a player for a certain position, who's at the right price, Evan's will sanction it.

9

NorthLondonBlue2 added 23:35 - Dec 17 Some perspective on the Marcus Evans* years: George Burley, 1994 - 2002, promotion to the PL and qualifying for Europe x2 and relegation Joe Royle, 2002 - 2006, Championship (Division 2) promotion challengers *Jim Magilton, 2006 - 2009, mid-to top 10 Championship side Roy Keane, 2009 - 2011, fiery disaster Paul Jewell, 2011 - 2012, complete disaster and near relegation Mick McCarthy, 2012 - 2018, relegation saviour, mid-table stasis and near relegation Paul Lambert, 2018 - , a new hope, relegation to League 1 (Division 3), and more hope

0

Dissboyitfc added 07:05 - Dec 18 Northlondonblue... you fail to mention Administration!( Burley years) that is what destroyed this club, we have never recovered from that! And if Evans hadnt bought us out, who knows where we would be! I am not an Evans fan, but he did save us from extinction and keeps us afloat, no matter what way to slice it, going into Administration,did the damage, which in the main was sheepshanks's fault, he took risks and those risks failed!

6

SuffolkBlue88 added 08:33 - Dec 18 North London Blue - Sorry to be pedantic but Evans didn't own the club when George Burley was manager that was Sheepshanks. Correct me if I'm wrong Magilton was manager when Evans took over - and he dispatched with him pretty quickly for Roy Keane. (I still massively get your point however just need a slight correction on facts 😉)
0

BlueySwede added 08:36 - Dec 18 blues1 You are right on most things, but I do think we need a player or two in, and I would say two strikers. Norwood and Jackson need competition in my opinion. They are not bad players, but sometimes they frustrate me. Yes, Sears is on his way back, but it will take a while Keane..still a bit rusty.
2

marco007 added 09:05 - Dec 18 oh no..............more players coming back equals more choice and more rotation :( With the resources PL has at it his disposal, if I was ME, I'd question whether chucking more money at players is the answer. I believe we need to develop a coherent playing style and stop changing players and formations every week as all that results in are scrappy performances on the pitch. Think PL is too pig headed to admit this

1

Michael101 added 09:17 - Dec 18 Well said bluearmy,about time a few others grew a pair and stopped licking evan,s ar*e.
-1

ITFCsince73 added 09:22 - Dec 18 Blues1. Do you know ME personally? Do you work for the ME group.? You know a lot about the man, buisness, financial affairs, the way he operates. Or are your assumptions guess work/made up?
1

Ipswichbusiness added 10:21 - Dec 18 On the subject of past managers, it is quite possible to understand why they were appointed. Keane; dominant midfield player of his generation, winner and captain, leant from Sir Alex and promotion with Sunderland Jewell; promotions with Bradford and Wigan McCarthy; experienced manager required to sort out the defence and win matches on a budget Hurst; as a coach he had achieved considerable success in the lower leagues. Why then did they all ultimately fail with us?

2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls