Town boss Paul Lambert felt his side played “a lot of really good stuff” as they beat Blackpool 2-0 at Portman Road via goals either side of the break from Alan Judge and Luke Woolfenden.

“Very good, really proud of them, how they played, how they went about it,” he said. “There was a lot of good stuff.

“We scored a good goal here [through Freddie Sears] which I can’t believe got chalked off. And when Andre Dozzell went through, that wasn’t offside either.

“But we scored a good goal which took us into half-time. There was a lot of really good stuff there and I thought in the second half we had so many chances.”

Reflecting further on the win, Lambert thought his side built on the 1-1 draw at Crewe last Saturday: “We had a good game last week at Crewe, we played well, got a point.

“I thought we played well throughout the game, we should have scored, Freddie Sears’s first-half goal should have stood, it was clearly onside, and we played really good, I thought we played a really good game.”

Lambert gave new loanees Luke Matheson and Troy Parrott debuts from the start and was pleased with their performances.

“Very, very good, they’re 18 and 19 years old,” he said. “It’s brilliant for them and the great thing is that they’re two really nice kids.”

Matheson coming into the team meant skipper Luke Chambers dropping to the bench having been ever-present up to today’s game.

Asked about his thinking in making that decision and whether it was a reflection on Chambers’s level of performance dropping off recently, Lambert said: “We have 12 games in five weeks, it’s an incredible amount, we need everybody, we need guys to have game time and these guys ready.

“It’s nothing to do with performance, nothing like that, they guys have been great - we’ve got too many games in a short space of time.”

Pressed on whether Chambers took the decision well, Lambert , whose relationship with the media has become ever more frosty of late, said he would only comment on the match.

“I’m just here to talk about the game,” he said. “We’ve got 12 games in five weeks, so Luke understands, Wardy [Stephen Ward] understands, Gwion [Edwards] understands, everybody understands where we are with the state of the world at the minute with games coming thick and fast.

“It’s nothing to do with [performances], you may as well not ask me at all. Don’t ask me anything other than about the matchday situation, that’s all I’m going to answer from here on in.”

The Blues looked more threatening with up to six players in and around the opposition penalty area at times.

“We’re not the biggest team, but we have guys that can go and create and make things happen,” Lambert continued.

“I’m really proud of them, they’re really good footballers and how they played, the pass from Parrott to Freddie [for the disallowed goal] was brilliant.

“We saw that in training, so we know what he can offer. Obviously he needs game time, which is important for him, but there was a lot of good stuff there.”

"Andre Dozzell got further forward than has usually been the case with Flynn Downes, who was wearing the captain’s armband, sitting deeper.

“I did that last week as well,” Lambert said. “I just think that the three of them [Downes, Dozzell and Alan Judge] rotate very well and [Josh] Harrop can be another plus, [Teddy] Bishop will be coming back as well. There were a lot of good things and I’m really happy with them.”

"Regarding Judge, Lambert said: “Excellent, his goal was excellent, his general game was excellent and again the new guys gave everybody a lift. The performance today was really good.

“I thought we pressed really well at that point in the game and Judgey hit a really good goal. I thought Judgey was really good. There were a lot of good things there, a lot of good stuff.

“I’m really proud of them, they’re a young team, we made some changes but we’ve got 12 games in five weeks which is an incredible number of games to be played. Really happy.

“I just think there was a lot of good stuff there. We played really good in the whole game. McGuinness might have scored his two headers, Freddie’s one [which was blocked on the line], Gwion’s one at the back. And the [disallowed] goal should have stood here, that should have stood. Overall, I’m really happy.”

Woolfenden’s goal, the centre-half’s first of the season and the second of his Blues career, just after half-time all but settled the game.

“We started the second half really well,” Lambert continued. “After that we showed some really good things, in the whole half I thought there was a lot of good movement, a lot good tactically.

“Troy Parrott coming in, for somebody who is 19, if he keeps progressing the way he’s going, he’s going to be a player. I think he’s going to be anything that he wants. He only turned 19 the other day.”

Regarding Matheson, he added: “I’m delighted for him. A nicer kid you couldn’t imagine meeting, his manners and everything. Everything you want from a humble footballer, a really clever guy, so we thank Wolves.

“He doesn’t look old enough to ride a scooter yet, he was excellent as the game went on.

“Harrop I think is going to be a top player as well, and Luke Thomas has done great since he’s been here.”

Lambert was also pleased with the Josh Harrop’s display having come off the bench: “He’s a good one, a really good technical player. He was suffering with Covid but I think we’ve got a good one there. If Josh can stay fit and keep doing what he’s doing, we’ve got a really good footballer.”

Reflecting further on the difference the loan additions have made, he added: “I think it needed a freshness, without a doubt, allied with the guys who coming back from injury.

“We’re probably that horse riding at the back of the pack at the minute.

“There’s miles to go, a long, long way to go and everybody’s coming back and everybody’s getting fit. I’m really proud of them.”

Blackpool manager Neil Critchley didn't feel his side played particularly poorly.

“I was relatively pleased with how we played,” he said. “We were in the ascendancy and the plan was working.

“And then when we were in a dangerous situation to go and counter-attack on an opportunity and we’re in on goal, but they capitalised on a counter-attack themselves and scored.

“They produced a moment of quality that we didn’t and that was the disappointment of the whole aspect of the performance.

“The second goal straight after half-time from the corner left us with a mountain to climb and we didn’t threaten the goal enough.”

Photo: TWTD

suffolkblueeye added 22:10 - Feb 6 Players did well today, Judge is still rubbish and Lambert is a crap manager....nothing can change these two facts.
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abandon_hope1978 added 22:55 - Feb 6 Typical arrogance I have come to expect from this clown Good result to be fair but it's hardly a managerial stroke of genius which he appears to feel should be attributed to him. After such woeful displays, I would have expected a little humility; obviously something he never heard of, at all the massive clubs he played for. As for his attitude towards the media; it's pathetic and childish. You can't just dismiss them when they ask difficult questions, but as intelligence appears to be in short supply we expect little else.

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Beattiesballbag added 00:55 - Feb 7 So many good things to talk about from this game as others have already said, Downes etc in the right positions ,..... playing the ball forward at pace instead of going nowhere playing it across the back, the performances of the players old & new....that seemed to get better the longer the game went on. Not a fan of Lambert as he is responsible for how we have been playing, whose been playing & where, totally his fault for where we are now ..........but can not see the point in asking him why Chambers isn't playing, he's not going to say why!.....if he's not playing who cares! What is more important is how well Matheson played as the game went on. This might be a false dawn again & I think we are stuck with him however badly we play so I shall enjoy the moment & think about the good things on the pitch for a change ......maybe someone else is pulling the strings behind the sceens & responsible for the overdue changes that have finally come about ? ....... Can't remember last time I thought we played well so going to take each game as it comes & as long as we play like that or better at least I can enjoy the performance as it gives me some degree of hope........even if he is still in charge.

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therein61 added 07:04 - Feb 7 Does his job for once and thinks he should be in the hall of fame.
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dyersdream added 07:42 - Feb 7 lambert out
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Saxonblue74 added 07:50 - Feb 7 Arnie, absolutely spot on. Mick Mills put the same point across before the match yesterday, and also put Cole Skuse into the same category.
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 07:59 - Feb 7 One swallow doesn't make a summer....
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ChrisFelix added 08:59 - Feb 7 On the Chambers question. Young mobile full backs bring mobility. For instance Kenlock can do no worse than Ward & similar with our young central defenders. We are all liable to the occasional mistake, even Beattie made errors. I recall one on MOD against Leeds. The problem with Chambers is that so many of the goals conceded during the past 3 months occurred because of his absence from the right back position. Reading the game is essential for the aging defender, take Wark as a good example But although Chambers has enthusiasm he never could read the game, even as a 25 year old. Coupled with his now lack of pace is the reason his time was up 2 seasons ago

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inghamspur added 09:11 - Feb 7 That was so much better. Tempo was quicker and we played some good stuff. Loan signings obviously made the difference so not anything permanent but at least we're looking like a football team. Not sure if we'll see Chambers again, unless there arei injuries. The decision to leave him out was right and had been coming for a while.
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ArnieM added 09:20 - Feb 7 Len Brennan: Thank you for your response. No my lengthy post was definitely not aimed at any previous post you may have made re Chambers at RB as part of our problem. I don't think I actually saw it, sorry! You are right, we do appear to be coming at the same point from different angles, and I also agree with you that Chambers will very likely come back into the team ( I personally would prefer him to partner McGuinness than Woolfie as I see him as ahead of Woolfie atm, although they are slightly different types of young CB's, and had we ever a chance of securing McGuinness- none I know, they'd make the perfect pairing going forward). There is my opinion every need to have an old head in amongst these kids. The trade off is their speed and agility. So a measured use of players like Chambers and Judge is the key. Is Lambert up to that decision making? Well we'll see on Tuesday ( IF the game goes ahead.) Just f9r the record. I believe this will be Chambers/ Skuse last full season playing. It's right , and it's t8me t9 begin to bring in younger players. Oh how I wish we had Matheson, Parrott and Harrop our books permanently, such is the calibre of these players.But we must I think give Lambert a big thumbs up for getting these youngsters here on loan. Frankly , it's a real coup, and they may collectively give the squad just what it needs t9 kick on in the second half of the season now. I If we could only string together 3-4 wins now, and keep our best players fit ( that's a different argument altogether), it'd put us right back in the thick of the promotion play off contenders. I think automatics have gone now. COYBs 👍

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MonkeyAlan added 09:28 - Feb 7 Needed the win but Lambert isn't the answer.
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norfolkbluey added 11:26 - Feb 7 We could have done with these players at the beginning of the season but that's history now. The credit must go to Lambert that he's managed to identify available players willing to come and help us to stop drowning. Of course this is just one match but it should boost the team's confidence to win with panache despite missing chances. I think if we are able to play on Tuesday we should be able to get at least a draw if not a win. The team are gelling and with players fit it bodes well. Still thing two up front would be better because your wing players are too far apart. We are still too defence minded.

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pennblue added 12:15 - Feb 7 There was a lot of good stuff there yesterday, youngsters playing, a proper footballing side. That is what we asked for, and yesterday, that is what we got. To really change things around at a football club, you do need a plan and you do need to stick to it (and you have to remain focussed on your vision regardless of any turbulence). Nobody gets things right first time, and hopefully, we are starting to get to where we need to be. The proof will be in the pudding on Tuesday night. We need to go and get 3 points there, no if's, no but's. The fans will be there, in their droves (they will be hanging off the rafters), if we see that sort of performance on a regular basis.

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Cheshire_Blue added 12:55 - Feb 7 Great to see a bit of positivity creeping in, but some still feel the need to be negative.
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Ipswichbusiness added 13:07 - Feb 7 On the subject of selection, Mr Lambert says, “It's nothing to do with performance,...” Surely it should have everything to do with performance?
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ringwoodblue added 13:33 - Feb 7 Until we get a decent manager, can we play Blackpool every week please?
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therein61 added 16:29 - Feb 7 No worries he will revert to type just to pee the fans off just like someone else in the not too distant past.
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barrystedmunds added 21:31 - Feb 7 Just how many swallows DO make a summer🤔
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Ipswichbusiness added 21:43 - Feb 7 Barrystedmunds; however many it takes for us to be promoted!
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eddiespearitt03 added 09:48 - Feb 8 The only thing that spoils a much needed win is the repetitive one liners from Mr Lambert.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 11:41 - Feb 8 Whatever results I don't think I like him, though I could live with that if we are winning playing as we did Saturday. Nearly every comment on here reflects the positivity a good performance brings, beyond dislike for PL. For my part his stubborn adherence to poor ideas: constant team rotation, 4 5 1 tippy-tappy from the back and 80% possession with zero shots on target, irritates me, his banning of Phil Ham annoys me The test will be whether PL sustains the square pegs in square holes in a sensible formation and positive style of football, he may do as he seems to be owning the idea, as his genius found it.

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