Paul Lambert keen for Ipswich to kick on

Posted Thursday, January 02, 2020 by PA

Paul Lambert has called on his Ipswich side to kick on in 2020 after battling to a 1-1 draw at League One leaders Wycombe.

James Norwood put the visitors ahead following a quick free-kick but Ipswich were denied all three points courtesy of David Wheeler’s leveller.

A point apiece was a fair reflection of an exciting game, however, one which Lambert feels could be a catalyst in the promotion bid.

“I thought we deserved to win the game, we had some unbelievable chances and that was more like us,” he said.

“There was a lot of pleasing things there but to concede the goal like we did is disappointing. The big guy (Adebayo Akinfenwa) has put his body in and we should be putting somebody on his toes.

“I thought Judgey (Alan Judge) was excellent and he could have had a couple. If there’s anybody you want on the end of one it’s him but I thought to a man we were really strong.

“The performance was vital for us as individuals and as a team.

“We need to kick on from here but we’ve seen all the attributes we need from this team and there’s been a response, which is what we asked of them.

“The source of our goal is no surprise. Luke Garbutt is a terrific crosser of a football and you just need someone to get on the end of it.”

Town’s second-half opener came thanks to a moment of smart thinking, with Garbutt taking a quick free-kick to find Norwood who steered in.

But the introduction of Akinfenwa from the bench caused the visitors chaos, flicking on a ball from which Wheeler lobbed home, as the leaders ended their three-match losing run.

“We wanted to improve on last year and days like today show we have,” said Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth. “To take two points off Ipswich this season is not a bad return at all for a club like Wycombe Wanderers.

“Of course, the big man (Akinfenwa) has come on and made a difference but we had chances even before he did. It was a really good game of football and I thought we deserved something and it’s a good result.

“Their goal, from our perspective, is so sloppy. We’ve totally gone to sleep and it’s inexcusable really. All I know is something like that certainly won’t be happening against Sunderland, believe me.

“It’s been an awesome day though. We’re on TV on New Year’s Day, we’ve got 9,000 fans here and we’ve matched Ipswich from end-to-end.

“I thought we deserved it and Alex (Samuel) at the end is so close to winning it, which might have been a little unjust on them, but it typified his performance.”