GAFFER: IT'S ONLY JUST BEGUN
Posted on: Mon 12 May 2008
By Matt Cecil
Barely ten minutes had passed following the full-time whistle after the 1-1 draw with Stockport County on Sunday when Paul Lambert told the awaiting press that he can't wait for next week's second leg clash at Edgeley Park - a match he believes will be the most exciting fixture in the whole League Two campaign so far.
Wanderers were nine minutes away from taking a one-goal lead into next Saturday's showdown before Stephen Gleeson's superb volley levelled matters at Adams Park after Delroy Facey's first-half opener, but the Scotsman showed no signs of despondency in the post-match conference:
"Their goal changes nothing," he declared. "We'll go for it next weekend and I tell you what, you won't get a better game in the league than the one you'll see next week.
"I love going to away games when everything's against you and there's a big home crowd. I've seen my players put in some unbelievable games away from home and we'll do it again next week."
"Just believe me, we'll be ready for it." - Paul Lambert
Sunday's head-to-head with County was a tense affair with neither side testing the opposition keeper on a regular basis, but Lambert was happy with his side's display which sets up a mouthwatering battle in the north-west next Saturday:
"It was never going to be a game full of chances but I thought it was an excellent game for League Two. I couldn't ask for any more from my players and now we'll go there next week to try and win the game."
And the former Celtic man admitted that the words of his former mentor Martin O'Neill will always stay with him when preparing for his biggest challenges in football:
"I was in a dressing room a few years ago with the best manager I've ever worked for and he gave the most incredible speech which will always stick in my head. Just believe me, we'll be ready for it."
Lambert was able to combine steely determination with quick wit in the press conference with an appreciative collection of reporters, which was a stark contrast to the comments of County boss Jim Gannon who refused to speak to Sky Sports and the national media in protest against journalists who "only turn out for the big games."
The comments he did make to his local, loyal press acquaintances criticised the referee's leniency towards the Blues over a number of challenges in the game, and after some outspoken remarks from the County boss in the build-up to the game, Lambert wasn't going to rise to the bait:
"I don't care if it's Sir Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho having a pop at my team, it doesn't matter. We had some knowledge of what he was trying to do and maybe he was misquoted, but then again, maybe he wasn't.
"I'm sure they're unhappy with some things but that's the game of football. He's more than welcome to come into my office for a glass of wine."
The attention was then focused again towards next week's clash at Edgeley Park, and Lambert added that he's keen for as many Wanderers supporters as possible to make the trip:
"It would mean the world to us to see the away end full of Wycombe fans and to see them really getting behind us. They've been excellent for us all season and they'll see us give absolutely everything we've got to try and win the game."
If you haven't booked your tickets for next week's match, phone 01494 441118. Wanderers are just one win away from Wembley and after the enthralling battle at Adams Park on Sunday, there is simply no doubt that next Saturday's encounter will be one you will not want to miss.
Barely ten minutes had passed following the full-time whistle after the 1-1 draw with Stockport County on Sunday when Paul Lambert told the awaiting press that he can't wait for next week's second leg clash at Edgeley Park - a match he believes will be the most exciting fixture in the whole League Two campaign so far.
Wanderers were nine minutes away from taking a one-goal lead into next Saturday's showdown before Stephen Gleeson's superb volley levelled matters at Adams Park after Delroy Facey's first-half opener, but the Scotsman showed no signs of despondency in the post-match conference:
"Their goal changes nothing," he declared. "We'll go for it next weekend and I tell you what, you won't get a better game in the league than the one you'll see next week.
"I love going to away games when everything's against you and there's a big home crowd. I've seen my players put in some unbelievable games away from home and we'll do it again next week."
"Just believe me, we'll be ready for it." - Paul Lambert
Sunday's head-to-head with County was a tense affair with neither side testing the opposition keeper on a regular basis, but Lambert was happy with his side's display which sets up a mouthwatering battle in the north-west next Saturday:
"It was never going to be a game full of chances but I thought it was an excellent game for League Two. I couldn't ask for any more from my players and now we'll go there next week to try and win the game."
And the former Celtic man admitted that the words of his former mentor Martin O'Neill will always stay with him when preparing for his biggest challenges in football:
"I was in a dressing room a few years ago with the best manager I've ever worked for and he gave the most incredible speech which will always stick in my head. Just believe me, we'll be ready for it."
Lambert was able to combine steely determination with quick wit in the press conference with an appreciative collection of reporters, which was a stark contrast to the comments of County boss Jim Gannon who refused to speak to Sky Sports and the national media in protest against journalists who "only turn out for the big games."
The comments he did make to his local, loyal press acquaintances criticised the referee's leniency towards the Blues over a number of challenges in the game, and after some outspoken remarks from the County boss in the build-up to the game, Lambert wasn't going to rise to the bait:
"I don't care if it's Sir Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho having a pop at my team, it doesn't matter. We had some knowledge of what he was trying to do and maybe he was misquoted, but then again, maybe he wasn't.
"I'm sure they're unhappy with some things but that's the game of football. He's more than welcome to come into my office for a glass of wine."
The attention was then focused again towards next week's clash at Edgeley Park, and Lambert added that he's keen for as many Wanderers supporters as possible to make the trip:
"It would mean the world to us to see the away end full of Wycombe fans and to see them really getting behind us. They've been excellent for us all season and they'll see us give absolutely everything we've got to try and win the game."
If you haven't booked your tickets for next week's match, phone 01494 441118. Wanderers are just one win away from Wembley and after the enthralling battle at Adams Park on Sunday, there is simply no doubt that next Saturday's encounter will be one you will not want to miss.
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