BANNED LAMBERT: MY STAFF WILL DO THE JOB
IPSWICH manager Paul Lambert admits his touchline ban is “not ideal”, but is confident his backroom staff will be able to cope in his absence.
Boss Lambert, 49, was in the stand for yesterday’s trip to Wigan and will also be absent from the dugout for the home game against Reading next Saturday.
Ipswich and Norwich were both fined by the Football Association following their recent derby clash. Lambert was sent to the stand against his former club following an incident in the technical areas involving staff from both clubs.
The Scot was also fined £3,000, while Ipswich have been fined £20,000 and Norwich £25,000 after players were involved in a melee during the same incident.
Lambert did not appeal against the charge but did send a letter to the FA outlining “mitigating circumstances” surrounding the red card he received. “There was no point appealing because I wasn’t going to win, but I have had my say about what went on and I stand by every word,” he said.
“I’ll get on with it now. It’s not ideal, but I trust my staff to do what I ask them to do. There will be no problem there.
“Will it make a difference, not being on the touchline? I don’t know. I can talk to the players before the game and after. They will know what is expected of them.”
Meanwhile, Town defender Corrie Ndaba has signed his first professional contract with the club.
The 19-year-old has agreed a three-and-ahalf-year deal until the summer of 2022, with the option of a further 12 months.
Ndaba is the fourth academy product to sign professional terms in recent months following deals for Kai Brown, Brett McGavin and Idris El Mizouni.