Lambert: Forget my time at Norwich, that was seven years ago

New Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert has insisted there should not be any qualms over his past history with arch-rivals Norwich City.

The Scot guided Town’s East Anglian neighbours to the Premier League following consecutive promotions, but now faces an altogether different proposition in keeping the Tractor Boys in the Championship.

“I don’t want to go back to the Norwich time, because it was seven years ago,” 49-year-old Lambert told BBC Radio Suffolk.

“I had three fantastic years there, but I don’t want to hark back because I want to focus on Ipswich now, to try to get this club away from the bottom of the table.”

“Time moves – you have to let that go and never look back. They’re great memories that’ll never be diminished, but I’m here for Ipswich and I’m going to try and do everything I can to make them successful.”

Lambert takes over from Paul Hurst at Portman Road with the team rooted to the Championship table after one win in 15 games.

Reports have circulated a £10m transfer kitty will be available to Lambert in January, but the new boss laughed off any suggestion of such a figure.

“It does make me laugh, because I haven’t even seen that figure or spoken about anything like that,” Lambert said.

“I don’t want to be judged by past success and failures, I’ll be judged from now on in and hopefully we’ll climb that table.”

Lambert’s first game in charge comes against fellow strugglers Preston North End at home on Saturday. The Tractor Boys are in need of a significant win against the Lilywhites to lift themselves off the bottom of the table, owing to a goal difference of minus 14.