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Lambert: Full-Back Decisions Not Tricky
Friday, 12th Feb 2021 10:40

Town manager Paul Lambert dismissed the idea he has difficult decisions to make regarding his full-backs ahead of Saturday’s game at Shrewsbury, adding that skipper Luke Chambers won’t be able to go on forever.

New loanee Luke Matheson impressed at right-back in last Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Blackpool, while Myles Kenlock put in similarly solid displays in the 1-1 draw at Crewe and against the Seasiders.

On Tuesday, captain Chambers and Stephen Ward, both 35, returned to the side as Lambert “went for a big, tall and experienced back four”, according to assistant manager Stuart Taylor after that match.

The Blues boss denied he had a big decision to make in that area of his side despite the options at his disposal.

“No, it’s not tricky, football it’s not rocket science,” he said. “Wardy and Luke have done really, really well for us. With the pitch I knew Tuesday was going to be a really bruising encounter. You have to remember those guys are 35, it’s hard for them, especially in the full-back area.

“The two younger ones did great for us against Blackpool. I’ll see how everybody is this morning.”

He says Kenlock took being left out at London Road despite his previous performances well with the players aware that with games coming thick and fast that they will be rested periodically.

“He’s done great,” Lambert said. “Myles is great, not an issue, not a problem, everybody understood, everybody knows we’ve got 12 games in this period of time. The guys were good, not a problem.”

Academy product Kenlock is now 24 and has made 80 starts and seven sub appearances for the Blues without really ever establishing himself as the first choice.

Does Lambert believe the Londoner can kick-on and be the club’s regular left-back? “I think he’s got to look at that himself, 100 per cent. I think he had Jonas Knudsen in front of him, who was consistently great here and he played second fiddle to him.

“Then Jonas got injured when we came in and I think he played about 17 games back-to-back in the Championship year and did really well.

“I think he came right off the gas last year, I don’t think he performed to the level I think he can perform to. But I think when he played against Crewe and he played against Blackpool, he was very, very good.

“Myles has got it in him, but I think you just answered the question there, it’s the consistency level.”

Asked whether Matheson’s loan signing could see Chambers revert to centre-half from the right-back role he’s occupied for every game aside from the Blackpool match this season, Lambert said: “I’ll pick a team that tries to win. Woolfie [Luke Woolfenden] and Mark [McGuinness] have done well together.

“The two kids have done really well together, they did well against a hard Blackpool side as well. They did well the other night, got caught with the free-kick, Mark maybe shouldn’t have come [and made the challenge that led to the free-kick] but predominantly they’ve done really well. They’ve been very good, not a problem with them. Two younger kids have done great.
And Matheson was great against Blackpool.”

Reflecting further on Chambers perhaps returning to his preferred central defensive role, Lambert added: “Luke’s just unfortunate, nobody can beat time, it catches you. I had it myself, I know what it’s like. You’ve just got to look at it and face that it’s coming.

“That’s what happens in football, you can’t go on for ever and ever. It’s a really hard thing for you to accept at times, or you can accept it and move on. It’s hard for a footballer, it’s a tough job they’ve got.”


Photos: Matchday Images



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Texastom added 14:37 - Feb 12
His comments are just to wind the fans up and avoidance and we all know he doesn't like criticism at all and waffles a response to keep players content. He isn't going to rock the internal ITFC ship to avoid any attention or arguments surfacing. He's trying desperately to keep the focus away from him. He seems quite weak to me and doesn't like confrontation particularly. Don't forget Evans is not asking anything of him and like everyone else at the Club, NO ONE IS UNDER ANY PRESSURE UNTIL THE FANS COMEBACK.

Press interview: Next opportunity the Interviewer should just ask direct questions around his tactics, Team selection or better still, Lamberts comments he's previously made and ask him to explain WHY. Call his bluff!

** DO NOT RENEW SEASON TICKETS. **

2

mib added 15:14 - Feb 12
Algarve, Almost word for word what I said on this forum the other day. Totally agree with you.
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TractorBeezer added 16:35 - Feb 12
Even though the Peterborough pitch was heavy it was playable. They exploited us with nimble wing backs rather than playing older less mobile defenders. We should play our best team v Shrewsbury.
4

thatsbonkers added 19:19 - Feb 12
Toxic symbiosis. Supporters shouting spite, Lambert spouting sh!te. Repeat to fade.
0

RobsonWark added 19:26 - Feb 12
“No, it's not tricky, football it's not rocket science,” he said. “Wardy and Luke have done really, really well for us"
What??? When the heck has Chambers played well in the last 3 or 4 years?

He says Kenlock took being left out at London Road despite his previous performances well with the players aware that with games coming thick and fast that they will be rested periodically. “He's done great,” Lambert said. “Myles is great, not an issue, not a problem, everybody understood, everybody knows we've got 12 games in this period of time. The guys were good, not a problem.”
That's why you were left out - you didn't kick up a stink like Chambers would have done.

Reflecting further on Chambers perhaps returning to his preferred central defensive role, Lambert added: “Luke's just unfortunate, nobody can beat time, it catches you. I had it myself, I know what it's like. You've just got to look at it and face that it's coming. That's what happens in football, you can't go on for ever and ever. It's a really hard thing for you to accept at times, or you can accept it and move on. It's hard for a footballer, it's a tough job they've got.”
Proof that Chambers has been forcing his managers to play him every week for the last 3 or 4 seasons when we can all see how sheet he really is!!

1

Woodbridgian added 20:27 - Feb 12
“ No, it's not tricky, football it's not rocket science,” Well it begs the question then why you make such a king sized mess of it then
2

blue86 added 21:01 - Feb 12
Yeah like Lambert said it's really hard being a footballer, paid extremely well, to the point its disgusting. Then if your are injured forever your still paid extremely well, and if you underperform your still paid really well.......sounds tough dosent it? I might ask my manager tomorrow if I can be 'rested' as a 5/6 day week is getting to much and a bit tough, I will let you know how I get on🤣 for God sack how much more of this buffoon do we have to tolerate? Why is he still here?
1

Carberry added 22:25 - Feb 12
Chambers made the mistake of criticising PR Paul and has now had his chips. The manager will try to finish his career for him, the question is whose will end first?
1

coolcat added 22:45 - Feb 12
He contradicts himself a lot. Last week he was saying re the Blackpool game the 2 fullbacks being left out wasn't a performance issue that we have 12 games in 5 weeks & how we need everyone. Now his saying time catches up with you, etc. I recall his using that exact same phrase before about someone else last season. He seems to come across as someone who just likes using catchphrases or just says the first thing the comes into his head. I don't like players being called, especially like he does with Kenlock, here. Thought that would be between him and the player. Seems strange also how he says he'll only talk about matches.
0

coolcat added 22:46 - Feb 12
I meant *called out*.
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Skip73 added 12:05 - Feb 13
I know alot on here will disagree with me, some may even troll me, but I believe Chambers will make a good manager.
He's probably learnt alot off Lambert and Hurst about how NOT to manage and how to man manage players properly from Mick. That can be a great lesson in itself.
1

blue86 added 13:53 - Feb 13
Skip 73, chambers potentially could make a good manager. He has leadership qualities obviously, and passion. What his tactical acumen is like I'm not sure, one thing that might go against him is he seems a bit to emotionally involved maybe, and would need to transform from being one of the joker/lads about the place, and be more dare i say slighty less detached from the squad. I always think regarding ex town players, Matt Holland seems like a manager in the making? Just seems to come across very well. I certainly wouldnt so no to Holland as boss with burley as his assistant. Rather that than shambert anyway.
0

Dear_oh_Dear added 14:48 - Feb 13
Yes, its so hard being a millionaire footballer and set for life..... SO HARD
0

therein61 added 16:36 - Feb 14
Chambers is not capable of playing 2/3 games a week but P.L is reluctant to keep him out apart from the odd game or two as the skipper is always in the owners ear, as is Scuse and as soon as he can P.L will have him straight back in the side much to the detriment of the younger players, it will be like old times under big gob they both cost us points while pointing the finger and bawling out other players.
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