‘We’ll go all guns blazing... It’s who dares wins really’ – Lambert’s plan to keep Portman Road positive
Paul Lambert hails the Ipswich Town fans in pre-season. Photo: Ross Halls - Credit: Archant
Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert hopes he can give the club’s loyal supporters plenty to enjoy at Portman Road this season.
James Norwood is set to make his Portman Road bow for Ipswich Town today. Photo: Pagepix
The Blues boss says he has 'put a few quid behind the bar' to buy the first 125 fans who enter the FanZone a drink ahead of this afternoon's home opener against Sunderland.
Town won just three home games on their way to relegation, but Lambert managed to galvanise a previously disillusioned fan base with his positive words and style of play.
As a result, around 12,600 season tickets have been sold for what is the club's first season of third-tier football in 62 years. Today, a crowd of more than 20,000 is expected for a clash between two of the promotion favourites.
Luke Chambers celebrates last weekend's 1-0 win at Burton Albion. The skipepr could return to the team today following suspension. Photo: Pagepix
"Our support is unrivalled," said Lambert. "This place was like a morgue before we came in, but the atmosphere has turned completely on its head.
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"Without the fans you don't have a game and sometimes in this game that gets forgotten.
"I've had meetings with some of them. We had to find out why the mood did diminish. They probably didn't tell me that much that I didn't already know was wrong.
Goalscorer Luke Garbutt celebrates at Burton after Ipswich's opening day win. Photo: Pagepix
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"There's got to be an interaction between the football club and the support. That's a must.
"We have a young team, they'll make mistakes and we'll lose games along the way, but what I can say to the fans is that we'll always try and give you something.
"We'll play with no fear, with energy and drive. We'll always give it a go. We'll go all guns blazing. It's who dares wins really."
Gwion Edwards is close to returning to action for Ipswich Town. Photo: Ross Halls - Credit: Archant
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Lambert added: "I want them to come and have a really good time. I wouldn't want to come to the stadium, pay £30 and sit there on my backside and criticise. I'd get a sore head doing that.
"I'd want to go there and have a good time. Have a drink outside, smoke outside, whatever, and then when I get in the stadium I'd want to bounce around a bit.
"That's what we've tried to day to the guys and girls who we've met, 'just come and have a right good time'."
Asked how much of a difference a positive and vocal home crowd can have on the players' performance levels, Lambert said: "When it's rocking you run a bit faster, you make that extra yard. It's amazing what the adrenaline rush of the crowd does for you."
