Portsmouth promotion rivals Ipswich back under-fire manager Paul Lambert after local paper calls for him to be sacked

Pompey promotion rivals Ipswich have once again backed under-fire boss Paul Lambert.
Ipswich manager Paul Lambert.  Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesIpswich manager Paul Lambert.  Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images
Ipswich manager Paul Lambert. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

That’s after local newspaper, the East Anglian Daily Times/Ipswich Star, ran an editorial piece calling on owner Marcus Evans to make a managerial change.

It followed Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Peterborough – a result which leaves the Tractor Boys ninth in the League One table.

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The article, written by Editor-in-chief Brad Jones, said the ‘lacklustre’ loss at Portman Road ‘was proof again of his (Lambert) side’s apparent inability to beat the better teams in the division’.

It added Ipswich were ‘not playing well enough to make the play-offs, and show no signs of doing so’ under the manager, who is now in his third season at the Blues.

Meanwhile, the comment piece highlighted the team’s record against last season’s top 10 and this term’s current top 10, with four wins achieved out of a possible 27, and 20 points earned from 81 available.

The editorial prompted a response from the club, who claimed they were ‘disappointed’ with the paper’s stance on Lambert’s tenure.

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The club also acknowledged fans’ frustrations but reiterated that owner Evans ‘remains fully behind the management and players in the challenge ahead’.

The statement read: ‘While we are very disappointed that the EADT/Ipswich Star has taken this stance, we fully understand the frustrations of supporters with recent results.

‘The performances and results of the opening stages of the season have not been mirrored over the last two months or so and the manager, staff and players are fully aware that there needs to be an improvement if we are to achieve the goal of promotion back to the Championship this year.

‘Owner, Marcus Evans, has recently reiterated his support for the manager and with players now coming back from injury and the recent addition of Josh Harrop and Luke Thomas to add competition to the squad, he – and everyone at the Club – remains fully behind the management and players in the challenge ahead.

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‘We are two points off the Play-Offs with games in hand on nearly all the clubs above us and we have not yet reached the halfway point in the season. There is a lot of football to be played yet, 75 points up for grabs in what is a very challenging season on many fronts.

‘So yes, we understand the frustrations of the local newspaper and yes we understand the frustrations of the supporters. The manager, his staff and the players are frustrated as well but they are determined to turn those frustrations into celebrations.’

Pompey have beaten Ipswich twice already this season (in the FA Cup and league), with both wins coming at Portman Road.

The two teams met just once last term because of the coronavirus pandemic – and on that occasion the Blues ran out 1-0 winners at Fratton Park.

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Kenny Jackett’s side currently sit fourth in the League One table, six points above Lambert’s side but with one extra game played.

The two teams meet again on March 20 at PO4.

Ipswich host Sunderland tomorrow night in the league.

Pompey are at home to second-placed Lincoln.

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