Town boss Paul Lambert was happy with how his team played as they were beaten 4-1 at home by West Ham in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly and put the errors which led to some of the Hammers’ goals down to rustiness after five months out.

The third and fourth in particular were down to mistakes by keeper Tomas Holy and skipper Luke Chambers but Lambert wasn’t too downcast about the display overall.

“Really happy with how we’re playing, the third and fourth goal, you can’t legislate for that, the errors,” he said.

“But that’s rustiness as well, that’s five months off, that can happen. You’d rather get them out of the road now rather than when it starts for real. But football-wise, I’m really happy.”

The Blues boss has got his side passing the ball out from the back during pre-season which had led to one or two hairy moments in previous games.

Asked whether he felt it would take time to instil the approach into his players, he responded: “No, not really because we started doing that when we first came in, so they know it, the lads know how we play, they know the movements of it.

“There was a lot of good stuff there, really, really happy with how we’re playing with the ball, we’re up against two Premier League teams. Especially first half I thought we were excellent."

“Really happy with how we played, third and fourth goal, really disappointing but happy with how we’re playing.”

He added: “The third goal, cross ball, Tomas lost his bearings a little bit. Fourth goal was just mistakes and sloppiness on that front, but again after five months off that can happen. We’ll try and implement a style of football here that everybody enjoys.

“Dominance of the ball is really important, if we do that, no disrespect, we’re playing a totally different level to West Ham and Tottenham.”

Has he got the centre-halves capable of playing in the manner he wants? “Aye, the lads have been really good. Nsiala has been excellent since he came back, really, really good.

"Luke [Chambers] knows it, Wilson’s just come back from injury, Woolfenden’s got to start to get going, he’s got to start to perform. I’m happy with how it’s going.”

Reflecting further on the errors, he added: “I take responsibility, no problem, absolutely no problem. I want to play football and make the guys better footballers.

“It’s a friendly, that can happen, five months off is a long, long time. Luke knows it was sloppy but he’ll not do it again, may as well do it now.

“Everybody knows, you don’t need to be Einstein to see who made mistakes, you can see it. But football-wise, the way we handled the ball, really, really pleased.”

At the other end of the field, the Blues were certainly more threatening than they had been at Tottenham when they hardly laid a glove on the North Londoners with Freddie Sears netting against his old club.

“Definitely, the main thing for me, because the guys have had five months off, it’s not a normal pre-season, it’s not normal this scenario. We’ve had to try and get fitness back as quick as we can,” he said.

“West Ham haven’t long finished their domestic season. But I’m happy with the way things are going, the understanding of the game is really good. Football-wise, really good. Just cut out the errors and see what happens.”

Lambert says he’ll give those who weren’t involved much today more time in the final friendly on Saturday.

“I said to the guys, it’s not the result that’s most important, it’s how you play and how you perform,” he said.

“Football-wise, I’m really happy with a lot of things. We’ll not be playing the calibre of West Ham and Tottenham.

“We’re still trying to find our feet, trying to get 90 minutes under our belts because we’ve had that long off. And plus with the social distance training, things like that, it’s been hard.

“Everybody’s been in the same boat, but West Ham and Spurs have had playing time, but football-wise really happy.”

The Blues manager says Gwion Edwards picked up a minor niggle before being replaced just before half-time: “Little groin, but hopefully he’ll be alright.”

The game was too early for James Norwood, who seems likely to be involved in Saturday’s final friendly: “He’s doing well, trained well this morning, we’ll give him a full week’s training and then see how he is for Saturday. Oli Hawkins is doing really well, settling in.”

James Wilson is also still to play a part in pre-season: “He had a calf problem and this is his first real week of training, so he’s not too far.”

“Kane [Vincent-Young] had a little niggle in his achilles, but he’s fine, we didn’t want to take a chance on him, and Woolfy’s fine, Woolfenden will play on Saturday.”

“Myles trained this morning and we’ll see how he is for Saturday, a little thigh strain, we’ll see how he is.”

Town started with a midfield three of Andre Dozzell, Flynn Downes and Teddy Bishop and Lambert says there’s no reason the academy trio shouldn’t be the trio when the season gets under way.

“If they keep playing like that, it doesn’t matter to me reputation or anything like that. Whoever plays well towards the start of the season plays,” he said.

“I think people like Andre need to step up but he’s played brilliant for us in pre-season. Flynn is as consistent as anything and Bishop has been great he hardly played last season.

“Judgey, Emyr, Cole, Nolan, they’re all pushing for starts. There’s a lot of good football at the minute, really good, really pleasing how we’re dominating games with the ball. The goals? They happen, but you’d rather get them out now rather than at the start.”

Lambert also had praise for young defender Corrie Ndaba: “He’s done great, Corrie, he really has. He’s got to keep that buzz. It’s OK doing it in the friendly games when there’s no crowd but he’s got to be big enough to do it when the fans do come back. But he’s performed really, really well.”

Idris El Mizouni again made an impact from the bench: “He’s done OK, he’s got millions to learn. He’s playing with a freedom because there’s no pressure on him, but he’s got a talent and there’s no pressure from me on him to really make a mark, just let him nurture himself and get him through.

“But football-wise, he’s got some really nice touches. Things he’ll need to learn about moving it more quickly than he does but that will come with experience.”

On Saturday Lambert admitted he needs to reduce the size of his squad and inevitably there will be players who will be disappointed once the season starts.

”The secret is get yourself in the team and you’ll be happy,” he said. “All over the world, get yourself in the team and you’re happy, if you’re not in the team you’ll not be happy.

“That’s football, the guys know that, so they need to get in the side and show me what they can do rather than stop-start, stop-start, so it’s up to the guys.”

However, Lambert had little to say on any ins and outs - “No, nothing happening” - including reports that Ayr United are keen to re-sign Aaron Drinan: “He’s done really well, even today I thought he was excellent.”

Photo: TWTD

Nobbysnuts added 19:33 - Aug 25 I'm honestly worried for Paul lambert's mental health....is he OK? As he his obviously hallucinating, if he was happy with that sh#t.💩
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Michael101 added 19:46 - Aug 25 Tberein61, if you were useless at your job and keep making c😠co up after co😠k up but still get payed a tidy sum every week no questions asked .you would keep your mouth shut and keep taking the money .I would.
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dukey44 added 19:56 - Aug 25 I am so sorry to say it but its still the same tripe as last season coming from our managers mouth... He said they made some changes.... Please someone point out to me where. We really aren't good enough to play it out of back and we still are not shooting 🙄🙄🙄 it's not even funny...
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RobsonWark added 20:10 - Aug 25 dukey44 added 19:56 - Aug 25 "I am so sorry to say it but its still the same tripe as last season coming from our managers mouth... He said they made some changes.... Please someone point out to me where." He finally saw the light and dropped our useless captain silly dukey. Oh wait...no he didn't. FFS what does he have to do to get dropped??!!
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RobsonWark added 20:14 - Aug 25 I am going to back us, at the bookies, to lose on any game that Chambers is picked in the starting line up next season. No one could make cock-ups like he makes every single game without taking backhanders from some betting syndicate.
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prebbs007 added 20:20 - Aug 25 Luke knows it was sloppy but he'll not do it again, may as well do it now. Wtf you talking about you numpty tw&t. Middlesbrough (h( Sunderland (h) numerous penalties against. He's a total liability. He WILL do it again coz he's utter sh1£e and so are you for picking him. Our defence is terrible and we have zero chance if you select Donacien Nsiala & Donkey along with Exskuse who I'm sure you will select. Go now and save face after all you played in the champions league. Unbelievable

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wychyblue added 20:50 - Aug 25 Ndaba has looked well in the time he has been given , comfortable on the ball and on the left side . Experience will come with playing only . Surely he and woolfie should start or at least be given the chance to start . Can anyone truly say they would be worse ( especially in a system where we are playing it from the back ) than Chambers and another ?
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Linkboy13 added 20:56 - Aug 25 Shant be watching this rubbish I'll be behind closed doors at home.
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IpswichToon added 20:59 - Aug 25 How are we charging £10 to watch our fringe players play a training game against a mix and matched West Ham team? Their Wycombe game was broadcast live for free on YouTube!
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blue86 added 21:00 - Aug 25 Chambers has had his day, sad but true I'm afraid. Been a decent servant to the club, I do genuinely believe he does care, but he is past it now. Skuse can still do a job as cover but shouldnt be a nailed on starter. My concern now is we a crying out for another CB urgently! Chambers is past it, nsiala is unpredictable (in a bad way) wilson is ok from what I've seen but shouldnt be first choice. I just hope lambert isn't going to keep us constantly playing out from the back, we are not Barcelona lol. In league 1 we need to mix it up, but hard work and to graft as a unit is a must.

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KiwiBlue2 added 21:04 - Aug 25 I see PL is talking Woolfie down and Chambers gets glossed over after yet another costly mistake..... Playing out from the back is great if you have the players to do it competently but sadly we struggle in that respect. If we continue to be so sloppy we will concede at least one goal to the opposition each week and have to score 2 or more to win which I doubt that we have the firepower to do each week......

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RobsonWark added 21:08 - Aug 25 blue86 added 21:00 - Aug 25 "Chambers has had his day, sad but true I'm afraid. Been a decent servant to the club, I do genuinely believe he does care, but he is past it now." and "I just hope lambert isn't going to keep us constantly playing out from the back, we are not Barcelona." Firstly Blue, Chambers had his day 3 seasons ago (even then he was only good for fist pumps). Secondly, if players earning 5-10 grand a week can't pass a ball out from the back when they train all week why the f##k are they in the team? Go and watch a Sunday morning game and you will see better players. They just don't give a sh#t. Would you if you were picking up easy money? Play as crap as you like and still pick up a great wage because there is no backbone in the club!!

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RobsonWark added 21:16 - Aug 25 How many Ipswich Town managers have lost their job while Chambers has been our captain? Lambert will be next if he continues to pick him in the team!
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Cakeman added 21:18 - Aug 25 There's only one way to play out from the back and that's a big hoof down the middle in ‘Big Al' style! Get a decent number nine on the end of those deliveries for them then to be fed to the incumbent in the mythical number ten role.
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village_blue added 21:21 - Aug 25 No sign of Jackson in the squad and no mention of by the manager. What happens next?
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Michael101 added 22:01 - Aug 25 Hot news Messi has put in a transfer request.can we swap chambers and skuse for him.some idiot said they are premiership class.
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algarvefan added 22:08 - Aug 25 I think there are many positives to come from the games so far, most of our young players have done well, especially our midfield trio that started today. Lankaster is coming back to fitness as is Sears. I am however worried about both our goalkeepers Holy just wasn't at the races today. Chambers has been a good player for us but how many more mistakes must he make before he gets dropped and in this lies the problem, Paul Lambert, he has achieved nothing, we need a young manager to play our very talented young players. We all know Lambert will start with the old guard and send out young players out on loan, he has as good as said so. So for me Lambert has to go.

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eddiespearitt03 added 22:12 - Aug 25 Of course Paul Lambert is happy, really happy. So are some of the players. Evans refuses to refresh the squad and refuses to finally address the same issues one season after another. The supporters will inevitably carry on with the same frustrations and the thoughts of, are we ever going to get out of League One with Marcus Evans. Lambert suggests that giving away silly goals to the other team is a pre_season thing and it is better to do it now rather than later. The rusty excuse is laughable and it won,t be long before the injury list of seasoned pro,s grows again. All we can do is hope the younger players lead the way to an energized team and a brighter future.

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Chris_Knights added 22:28 - Aug 25 Agree completely with Mr Spearitt 1- Errors ... Lambert says it all the time but cannot solve the problem 2 - Evans .... look at what he's done over the past 10 years ... asset stripped. No investment and absolutely no idea of how to run a football club 3 - Future .... we won't make the play offs in this league and Downes, Norwood, Woolfenden and Jackson won't be Town players by the end of the season. 4 - Fans ... i truly salute all the Portman Road regulars ... but surely you can all see the decline and these two so called professional aren't the ones to arrest it.

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blue86 added 22:38 - Aug 25 @ RobsonWark, agreed chambers has been past it a few seasons now. My point on playing out from the back was let's mix it up a bit, otherwise we will become very predictable. And let's be honest, at present apart from the wolf we haven't got another experienced cb who is comfortable with the ball have we? I think we urgently need another CB to partner wolfenden.
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KiwiBlue2 added 02:24 - Aug 26 I have not seen Ndaba although he sounds promising but might need a bit more time and experience before he can cement a starting role. In my opinion the only place for Chambers is right cb but Woolfie should comfortably keep him out as our specialist in that position therefore there should not be a starting place for Chambers .... he can fist-pump from the sideline. PL needs to focus on playing people in their correct position. We have good replacements for LC and Skuse in Woolfie and Downes we just need to find a competent and experienced left-sided cb and the circus at the back will close down.......

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 05:13 - Aug 26 I get that hoofball on every occasion is unproductive and predictable; we don't want to go back to that. But so is playing it out from the back every time. Sometimes the players look so uncomfortable trying to do what they have been told when the obvious solution is to put a foot through the ball. I predict if we don't mix up the strategy and use it in moderation, there will be several more embarrassing mistakes when the real games start. As someone has already pointed out above, teams will notice this tactic and press us into making even more errors. In addition, Holy is pretty good at picking out players with a long ball, which can serve as an alternative on occasions. Variation is the key.

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norfolkbluey added 07:43 - Aug 26 I doubt that PL gives a monkeys to anything seen on this site, in fact I think he laughs at all the comments made by supporters. His mind is now set. Always play it out from the back. As a consequence this will put pressure on Chambers who as most have said is now a liability especially with this system now being adopted. Fine if we had a solid back four or three but we haven't and as a consequence each and every game there will be one or two occasions when errors will occur and we will be relying upon scoring more goals than the opposition. To quote an old country saying 'we need to be as tight at the back as a cows arse in autumn' ! But we are not. To be frank I cannot see any chance of us doing well with the likely line up PL is envisaging. Saying that PL is happy, happy, happy so if he is and we are losing games consistently through errors will he still be happy? I for one won't nor would any supporter. Time will tell and maybe PL has a 'cunning plan'.

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ChrisFelix added 09:12 - Aug 26 Does Lambert know his best 11.Yesyerday where was vincent young, Woolfden & Jackson let alone Norwood. Now is the time to try Ndaba along side Woolfden. Defender need to have mobilty & be able to read the game. Chambers no longer has pace & never couldnever
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Razor added 10:07 - Aug 26 Of course Lamby is happy------amazingly he has held on to his job and seems fireproof for some unexplainable reason.
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