Stags winger Lambe finally gets his chance after Cox departure

The former Toronto player arrived at One Call Stadium in time to join the squad to face Carlisle on 20th September when he was a used substitute.

But the Bermudian international started only the away game at Stevenage, where he was withdrawn at half-time, until last weekend when caretaker boss Adam Murray changed the 3-5-2 formation to a 4-3-3 with wingers and Lambe has started and impressed in both games this week.

Ahead of tomorrow’s tough game at league title favourites Luton Town, Lambe said: “It’s always sad to see a manager leave. But I didn’t really fit into the last formation. With the new one I have a much better chance and I want to take it and keep doing well for the team.

“It’s been tough on the legs this week, but we are getting all the rest we deserve and trying to be fit for Saturday.

“Every time a manager goes you feel you have to do more to impress. So everyone is very high and on top form.

“The formation is better for the striker as he has support around him. Vadaine Oliver wins every header so I know I can run off him. He is a presence up front and a handful for defenders.

“I am working on finishing so I make better decisions in the final third and score more goals.”

Coming from the MLS, Lambe has little knowledge of playing at the cauldron that is Kenilworth Road.

He said: “I can’t say as I am not used to playing in this league, but the boys are telling me it will be a tough test so I am getting my head round it. I am looking forward to it and we will try to get a win.

“They are one of the favourites, but we need to come back with three points or at least a point.

“It sounds ideal to play in front of their fans and we need to silence them and play our own game.

“If we can get a win on Saturday we will be flying. We are looking forward to it and that’s what we are here for. Then we can go to Cambridge and get a win or bring them back here and have our own fans behind us.”

Despite his MLS experience in the States, Lambe had never endured anything as tiring as a bus journey to Canvey Island until Tuesday.

“That was a dreadful journey,” he smiled. “But we got our heads on and got the victory, and that’s all that mattered.

“We needed to come away with a win, anything else would have been disappointing. The pitch wasn’t the best and they had the crowd behind them. But we had our fans there so we felt at home as well.”