Paul Lambert delighted as Ipswich top League One after Shrewsbury success

Posted Sunday, September 01, 2019 by PA

Ipswich manager Paul Lambert was delighted with the performance of his high-flying team following their 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury.

Two goals and a sending off – all within the first 45 minutes – helped Ipswich retain their top spot in Sky Bet League One.

The goals game from Kayden Jackson in the second minute, James Norwood (penalty, 10) and Flynn Downes (69), with visiting midfielder Shaun Whalley given his marching orders after 38 minutes.

Lambert said: “We move onto the next one (game) but the performance and the way we played was really good.

“I thought that we were excellent in the first half and so dominant even when they had 11 men. The team is going really well at the moment, the atmosphere is incredible.”

Lambert said he was “overwhelmed” with a banner of him entitled “Lambo” which was unfurled by the home fans just before the start of the game.

He added: “I’ve only been here less than a year coming from the past that I had, but I’m really happy.

“The move (for the third goal) was brilliant. (The play moved) from one end of the pitch to the next, (was) unbelievably quick and the move for the whole thing was brilliant. The move was great and the header was exceptional.”

The Shropshire side’s boss Sam Ricketts said his men showed “naivety” which cost them at the start of the game, disputed the award of a penalty against them and said the game was “there for us”.

Ricketts said: “There was a bit of naivety by us and we let the home side off the hook.

“You can’t give a goal away in the first minute of the game. And even after that, the penalty is not a penalty – it was outside the box.

“I thought the game was there for the taking but two early goals killed it.

“We have had more territory and, given our defence has been so solid this year, it didn’t really give us a chance.”

He wouldn’t be drawn on the sending off, but said: “It took 88 minutes for a home player to be booked.

“With 10 men we ended up with more shots on target and I can’t remember our keeper having to make a save of note really and that’s what’s so frustrating because I think the game was there for us.

“We hit the post, the keeper’s made a really good save but my gripe with the players was that the game was there for the taking but it’s not going to be there for the taking if we give naive chances away and when you get a chance, you need to score.”