Manager Paul Lambert hit out at “negativity attached to the football club” in his post-match press conference following the 0-0 draw at Oxford and accused the media of feeding it.

Asked for his assessment of the match, a game of few chances for both sides but with the home team having the better of them, Lambert said: “Really pleased because of what’s happening, absolute nonsense criticism, so for them to be the way they were. Half the team is kids, we’ve got nine injuries.

“I’m really pleased and proud of them with how they performed because the criticism the guys have taken I think has not been right and it’s going to make or break them.

“There are a lot of young kids there and if they don’t handle that, the club’s going to lose good players.”

Has the criticism bothered them? “You [the media] stoke it. I don’t read what you write or hear what you say. You stoke it. I know from their side that they feel it, without a doubt. They’re young kids trying really hard to play football.

“It’s not easy, the expectancy level at the club’s huge. It’s not right, there’s a lot of negativity attached to the football club, and it’s not right.”

When it was pointed out that much of the criticism has been from fans rather than the media, he said: “I’m not blaming anybody, there’s a lot of negativity attached to it. We’ve lost two games, we’re sitting in fifth, four points from first place. That’s not bad. And we’ve got nine guys out injured.

“You’re telling me we’re sitting fifth, four points off the top, OK if Hull win their two games [they’ll be further ahead], but there’s still a helluva long way to go.

“I’ll put that on record. You asked me a question, I’m giving you the answer. It’s unfair, you’ve got to watch you don’t break the kids.”

Lambert was asked whether he was concerned about his side’s lack of a goal threat with the Blues not having scored for three matches.

“Everything you say to me is negative,” he hit back. “I’d hate to be married to you! That [the players available] are what we’ve got, that’s exactly what we’ve got. They’re giving me everything. As long as they give me effort, then I’m totally fine with it.

“We’re up against brick walls with the guys that have been injured. At times we’ve lost guys from forward areas, we’ve lost a whole midfield, we’ve lost centre-backs, we’ve lost every position going. We’ve got nine players out at the minute.

“I’m not going to sit here and criticise the guys one iota. I’m the manager and I’m proud of them.”

Regarding Jon Nolan’s return after two games out with a groin injury, he added: “He shouldn’t have played, maybe he shouldn’t have played because he hasn’t done anything since the Shrewsbury game. But I had to play him because we don’t have Brett McGavin, he took ill during the night, so we had to play him.”

On Armando Dobra’s full league debut, he said: “I thought he did really well. Young kid, he’ll make mistakes like everybody else, really good.

“What you do get with Dobs is great endeavour, you’ve got a devilment there that’s going to stand him in good stead and hopefully he’ll be another good player at the club in the coming weeks, months and years hopefully.”

He said he was pleased with the clean sheet: “I am, I can’t ask any more from them. Half the guys are academy guys, young guys. The centre-backs, Woolfy’s 21, Mark McGuinness 19. Jack Lankester’s a kid, Andre Dozzell’s a kid, Dobra’s a kid. Liam Gibbs was on the bench.

“We’re so lacking in depth because of the injuries we’ve got but I’m really proud with how they played.”

The clean sheet was the first in the league for both Cornell and McGuinness since they joined the Blues.

“McGuinness, I’ve no problem with because I think he’s really good and could be excellent,” Lambert continued. “He’s strong, aggressive, he’s 19. Really, really good.

“Cornell, I thought was really good, he had one save here in the second half. I’m happy with him.”

Lambert was pleased with the impact subs Oli Hawkins and Kayden Jackson made in the second half.

“Oli gives us something different,” he reflected. “I thought Aaron Drinan and Jack Lankester did well for the first hour.

“We put Kayden on and he looked lively and Oli looked lively as well. I’m happy with how we played. We came to a difficult place.”

However, he is disappointed that Andre Dozzell will miss the trip to Plymouth having picked up his fifth booking of the season.

“That’s the way things are going,” he said. “But the point, it stops the run of two defeats. It gives us that point with a long journey on Friday and we go and try and win.”

Any chance of Emyr Huws coming back for the weekend, the midfielder having picked up a back injury in training.

“I don’t know, we’ve got too many [out],” he continued. “I’m not sure when they’re coming back. We’ll have to wait and see”

Reflecting further on an injury situation which saw 12 players - and then McGavin - unavailable, he said: “And we’re still sitting fifth, four points from the top.”

Asked whether the criticism has bothered him, he said: “Did you see what happened at Celtic the other day? The protests outside. I’ve played in front of that, I know exactly what it’s like. Does it bother me? No. Does praise bother me? No.

“I’ve played with big clubs, I’ve been a manager at big clubs. I’ve had a career when the pressure’s incredible, absolutely incredible. I’ve never wilted once and I don’t expect to wilt again, unless Marcus says something different. And that’s no problem.”

Lambert said he’d spoken to Marcus Evans after the game but said the owner hadn’t ventured into the dressing room.

“No, he wasn’t in the dressing room,” he said. “He’s pleased, we had a good chat. No problem, no stress, nothing. He was happy.”

Seven of the side were aged between 19 and 22, which Lambert feels puts the result into context when playing against a more senior Oxford side, who may be down in 20th at present but had a much better 2019/20.

“We don’t have anything else, we have to play the guys,” he said. “And we played against a really experienced team. They’re a good team, they were in the play-offs last year. Karl’s got a good team, so the point was good.”

The other side of that is that Oxford hadn’t kept a league or play-off clean sheet since February, 19 games ago and the Blues managed their first shot on goal in the 90th minute.

Is it fair to say his team didn’t create enough chances? “Yeah, but we’re doing everything we can. The big thing for us was not to lose, definitely not to lose.

“We gave it everything, that little bit of quality is maybe just missing at the minute but the endeavour and the work-rate and everything that goes with it, I’m really pleased.

Coming back to the criticism, it was pointed out that in the last 42 league games they have lost more than they’ve won in a division in which a club of their size ought to thrive.

“You’re one of he guys that the players have got a gripe with because of the negativity you write is incredible,” Lambert responded.

“I don’t read your stuff. You’re probably better hearing it from them. But they’re certainly not happy with you. And I get it because the negativity attached to it is incredible.

“They’re at a big club, some of them are young, some of them have come from different teams. It’s a massive club Ipswich Town, but the negativity attached to it is huge.

“That’s just my opinion on it, but there are a lot of young guys in there, who have to perform.”

Does he feel the criticism is unfair on young players? “And the older guys.”

Last week Lambert was asked about claims he had been harder on younger players himself, something he dismissed before turning back to the summer furore regarding a number of young players not being included in the first-team photo call.

“No I wasn’t,” he insisted. “I’ll tell you what, I’ll tell you right now. You want to go on record here? The photo thing that you wrote or one of your colleagues wrote was a load of nonsense because the kids got told [they weren't involved], and [assistant manager] Stuart Taylor told you what actually happened - we couldn’t get them in because of NHS stuff.

“But you go and write a negative thing about them and it filters right through. How does that work? Tell me how it works.”

It was pointed out that the players - Dobra, McGavin, Drinan, Idris El Mizouni, Corrie Ndaba and - weren’t in the squad photo.

“Exactly, and you still go ahead and write it,” Lambert continued. “Because they couldn’t be because NHS is only three letters [the players and staff formed the letters NHS in a socially distanced team photo]. Am I right or wrong?”

Lambert added: “You go and write negativity, it goes right through the club. I’ll tell you what I will do, I’ll stick up for them, I’ll stick up for every player in the dressing room, every guy in the dressing room, I’ll put you in your place because what you’re writing is garbage. I’m telling you you’re creating something that’s incredible.”

When Lambert came in as boss just over two years ago he spoke about the negativity and apathy at the club at that time.

“There was no anger because people had switched off from supporting the club,” he recalled. “I spoke to the Blue Action guys, they told me about the apathy here. I spoke to them all.”

Does Lambert believe the media are feeding or reflecting the negativity? “I think you’re feeding it. You can have a go at me all you want. I’ve been in the game a long time and it’s not helping the guys, it’s not helping them.”

Photo: Pagepix

Vanisleblue2 added 00:14 - Dec 2 I'm confused..... The kids have to play...but we have Judge, Jackson and Hawkins on the bench. McGuiness is a kid but you got him on loan from Arsenal. Woolfenden is a kid but he has played plenty of league games and you chose to play him at CB rather than a very experienced Chambers. Plus we have an experienced right/centre back on the bench in Donacien so if you don't want to play kids you don't have to. The injury count is no coincidence or because of the Pandemic. Have Oxford got 10 injuries? They are going through the same Pandemic. I actually like Paul Lambert and I dislike that we are going through managers so quickly right now. I do not know the answer but do know that it is so sad being a Town fan in 2020

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runningout added 00:15 - Dec 2 There are no kids at our club that get stick to put them down. I'm sure any criticism is there to elevate them. You stop being a kid at 16 I think. I realise the term is used a lot, but maybe it's used by insecure older footballers
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multiplescoregasms added 00:25 - Dec 2 He has managed and played for big clubs? Has he? Well he kept that quiet didn't he. Last week he was saying if you are good enough, you are old enough. Now he says they are just kids. Make your mind up mate. Blaming the press is an easy way to shift the blame from himself. Never him fault is it. Oh, and if we are so short of midfielders, maybe you should tell the ones that are playing, not to make stupid pointless tackles that get them booked and makes them unavailable for Plymouth. Oh hang on, he is just a kid isn't he. Total pr1ck.

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bobble added 00:53 - Dec 2 the debacle continues, from the dark lord to lambert, once a manager arrives here they instantly lose their ability to perform and suffer immediate performance anxiety resulting in limp team efforts and soft displays as the team hangs around the nether regions of getting up. .
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md_blue added 01:25 - Dec 2 The lack of leadership from top to bottom of our club is astonishing. The only passion we see is to defend themselves from slights, real or perceived. There is no spark of joy. The play on the pitch is sterile. We failed to make chances against a side barely off the relegation places in Division 1. Nineteen years ago, we were beating Inter Milan.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 01:44 - Dec 2 No, he wasn't in the dressing room,” he said. “He's pleased, we had a good chat. No problem, no stress, nothing. He was happy.” - Evans is happy with this just about sums up his ownership for me happy at being average! As for saying fans or media are moaning about the kids that couldn't be further from the truth my issue is with the senior players and consistent line of has-been managers that no one else wants and who never get clubs when they leave whilst diving down the divisions without even a whimper and being given new contracts for taking us down All authorised and overseen by our owner! God help us

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Vancouver_Blue added 02:12 - Dec 2 The win percentage doesn't lie, only Paul Lambert lies
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ForrestsFingers added 03:48 - Dec 2 https://fbref.com/en/squads/b74092de/Ipswich-Town-Stats#all_stats_shooting_10733 Have a look at this link. In 15 League matches this season, the four strikers,Hawkins, Norwood, Jackson & Drinan have had just 21 shots on goal between them. 21!!!!! 10 have been on target In contrast Hull City who have played 2 games less than us, their 4 forwards have had 86 shots on goal this season. 39 on target. This is our major problem. With the likes of Edwards and Bishop out who have had the majority of our overall shots this season we have no one being direct or able to create any chances. Strikers will score goals if you give them opportunities. Without the creativity we are going nowhere, Fast!

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Bert added 04:34 - Dec 2 Whilst a manager has to defend the players to some extent, Lambert is the actual target of the criticism. This is now as bad as the MM era with a silent owner and a Manager who is acting in a bizarre manner. Pandora's lid has now been lifted so where the heck do we go from here ? In truth I do not believe that Lambert has lost the dressing room, the players actually like him as they did MM but that is part of a wider problem at the club. It has become too comfortable for the staff and players to underperform with an owner who shows little interest other than keeping the club afloat. That is indeed stagnation. Lambert has now lit the fuse by attacking the media and indirectly the fans. A very sad time ...... yet somehow we are 5th which is why fans of other clubs don't get our situation.

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ITFC_Singapore added 04:40 - Dec 2 Without any question the worst manager i have seen in the 40 years i have supported (and loved) this club.
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imalwayswrong added 06:07 - Dec 2 did I miss the bit where lambert usually mentions previously winning the champions league and playing the highest level?
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Saxonblue74 added 06:52 - Dec 2 This is really not my style, but I'm so disgusted with this man and his arrogant manner. His inability to answer a genuine and straightforward question from Brenner (a journalist I always enjoy due to his balanced opinions and commentary)speaks volumes. Yes, I sympathise with the injury crisis, but if this is our manager getting the best out of these young players then the future is not as bright as we hoped. Our position in the league is more circumstantial than performance based. Entertainment is none existent, and win lose or draw we all follow Town to be entertained. Surely, surely he can see this with all his "big club" experience? The "passion" he showed when sent off at Carrow rd back in our Championship days was clearly emotion overflowing from his own personal grudge with a club that he departed under a very dark cloud and NOT a new found life long passion for ITFC! I was not one of the "MM out" brigade as despite his style of football I feel he did ok with his resources, he found a way and made decent signings. PL has offered nothing. Could I suggest that the 2000 season ticket holders do not attend our next home game? Again, not my style but surely a way of making a point whilst costing the club little or nothing? Some will respond to this with "Evans is our priblem" no doubt, but right now I think we have a manager who is destroying our clubs relationship with fans and the media, and also damaging the career of many young and talented players.

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Saxonblue74 added 06:55 - Dec 2 ....and Imalwayswrong, yes you did miss that bit! He dropped it in at the end of his Radio Suffolk interview last night!😂😂😂
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therein61 added 07:22 - Dec 2 For me negativity comes from the manager and his team and spreads onto the field, P.L. is just digging a bigger hole for himself, in the last 2 weeks he has turned on the people he claims not to pay any attention to.
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snipes added 07:24 - Dec 2 Look at his previous win versus loss ratio , tells you all P. W. D. L Aston Villa 2 June 2012 11 Feb2015 115 34 26 55 Blackburn 15 November 2015 7 May 2016 33 12 8 13 Wolves 5 November 2016 30 May 2017 33 14 5 14 Stoke City 16 January 2018 18 May 2018 15 2 7 6 Ipswich Town 27 October 2018 Present 99 31 25 43
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Len_Brennan added 07:25 - Dec 2 Over the last couple of weeks he has aggressively attacked Brenner, Phil Ham & Stuart Watson, so Radio Suffolk, TWTD & EADT/Ipswich Star/Kings of Anglia pod; predominantly for having the audacity to question his team's stats & performancs (more complicated with Phil) - that is quite an extensive reader/listenership of Ipswich Town supporters represented. Can everyone else be wrong? When a manager starts attacking the press & banning highly respected longtime fanzine editors from press conferences, his days are numbered.

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Trac70 added 07:39 - Dec 2 My God!!!! I've said it many times recently and I'll say it again. The man is DELUSIONAL!!!! Everyone and everything else is to play except for him. His pre and post match interviews are embarrassing and have been for some time. The fans were blamed for a "toxic" atmosphere during our poor run last season and now he can't blame us he blames the local media?? Well "Have I got news for you" Shambert, the common denominator is YOU!!!!

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Dissboyitfc added 07:48 - Dec 2 Dead man walking! Soon be gone, disgusting the way he deflects the blame onto his players!!!! When he first arrived he said, if the players make a mistake, its my fault because they are doing what i have asked of them, well words to that effect. Fall on your sword Paul, there is no way back from this!
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BlueandTruesince82 added 07:59 - Dec 2 Delusional.
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Umros added 08:01 - Dec 2 I'm afraid what you put on the pitch dictates the mood.......,and that is currently, and has been, negative pretty much throughout you're tenure. So where does the blame lie 🤔
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boltzak added 08:10 - Dec 2 Idiot don't the kids know how to score goals.
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leftie1972 added 08:14 - Dec 2 😮😲😧🤐
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RegencyBlue added 08:23 - Dec 2 Lambert has lost the plot with his latest outbursts but let's not kid ourselves. If he leaves tomorrow nothing will change overall. The negativity surrounding the club comes largely from 13 years of gross mismanagement by Evans which has brought us to this situation. People keep saying where would we be without him but I ask those people this, where do you think we will end up with him?

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StavangerBlue added 08:23 - Dec 2 Fans have been asking the club to play the youngsters. Well, last night was a chance for them to have a go. I do not blame PL for most of the club's predicament. This is how the club is run and ME should be taking the criticism. I look to PL to improve play, team spirit, fitness and get the tactics correct. PL will be first to admit the team spirit is low; you can see that on the pitch.

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MonkeyAlan added 08:24 - Dec 2 What a complete @rse. Blaming the fans for just criticizing the players. It's you we are blaming mostly Lambert. You are out of touch. Yes the players have been poor, but you set them up you fool. Mind you, where is Evans? Its his abject failure over the last 10 year's that has really got us in this muddle. As usual his silence is deafening. Suppose we will get some stupid pre prepared statement that says a whole lot of nothing in the next few days. Sorry Evans people have had enough, either show some interest in our once great club or ship out. The fans may have given you an easy ride up to now, but even we wake up in sleepy Suffolk eventually.

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