PAUL Lambert admits that he would love to have been the Colchester United manager when the Essex club were still at Layer Road.

Carl Marston

Colchester soccer, secondary quotes story

By Carl Marston

PAUL Lambert admits that he would love to have been the Colchester United manager when the Essex club were still at Layer Road.

The U's have struggled for results at the new Weston Homes Community Stadium, since their summer move from the old ground, and they had to be content with a goalless draw against visiting Scunthorpe on Saturday.

“I'd love to have been the manager of this club at Layer Road, because they used to win most of their home games,” confessed Lambert, who was appointed the U's boss just over two months ago.

“Teams never liked to go there. As is usually the case with clubs moving to a new stadium, it takes time to settle. But we are not a million miles away from where we want to be.

“I believe we are on the right road, and hopefully we can take it to the next level. It's basically the same set of lads who were here before my arrival, with only Marc Tierney and Alan Maybury (and Jimmy Walker) added in recent weeks.

“It's been a big turnaround in the last couple of months, and that's why you get these sort of jobs.

“I think the fans sensed that we were playing well. Our support has been terrific, especially away from home, and I thought they really got behind the team today.

“It was probably the best atmosphere we have had, together with the Millwall game (2-1 defeat),” added Lambert.

Scotsman Lambert felt that his side did more than enough to win the match.

“I'm very disappointed that we did not get all three points. I felt we were the better team and we started very well,” continued Lambert.