Lambert expects Wycombe success

By Paul Fletcher

The challenge is to get players in and playing together Paul Lambert

New Wycombe manager Paul Lambert has made it clear that promotion is the target for the forthcoming season.

The Chairboys, who spent most of the last campaign in an automatic promotion place, lost out in the play-offs.

"We are trying to get out of the league - it is a challenge and whether we do it or not remains to be seen," Lambert told BBC Sport.

"We'll try to hit the ground running and whatever happens it certainly won't be for a lack of effort."

Wycombe parted company with John Gorman at the end of last season - he is now in charge at Northampton - and appointed Lambert on 30 June.

The likes of Joe Burnell, Clint Easton, Charlie Griffin, Roger Johnson, Rob Lee and Danny Senda have left Adams Park over the summer - and Lambert has been flat out since his appointment trying to bring players to the club.

"The challenge is to get players in and playing together," added Lambert. "We are maybe a few weeks behind everybody because I was late coming in but we have brought three to the club who have slotted in very well.

"They have gelled very quickly with the other lads but we will find out for real when it starts."

I'll try to run Wycombe in the same way as if I was in a top job Paul Lambert

Lambert enjoyed a highly successful playing career, winning the Champions League during his time with German club Borussia Dortmund.

He won the Scottish Cup with St Mirren, eight medals during his Celtic career, skippered the Bhoys in their Uefa Cup final against Porto in 2003 and became captain of Scotland.

Lambert, who is 36 on 7 August, went into management last summer, taking over at Livingston.

Livi were widely expected to face a difficult struggle to maintain their SPL status - and Lambert stood down after defeat to Dunfermline on 11 February left his team six points adrift at the bottom of the league.

But far from the experience at Almondvale putting him off management, Lambert has moved south of the border to continue his education.

"Management is a totally different side of the coin," added the man who won 40 caps for Scotland.

"When you play you have no worries whatsoever - you only have to go out and play the game.

Lambert won the Champions League with Dortmund

"As a manager you have issues going through your brain about the club every day and often it kicks on into the night.

"There has to be a time when you have to leave some stuff behind and spend time with your family. Every now and again you have to let go.

"I have the greatest admiration for people who are in the game because I know how hard people actually work to stay in their job."

Lambert started his coaching badges during his final season with Celtic and took his Uefa pro licence in Germany.

It was far from easy, indeed Lambert described the seven exams he had to take as "nerve wracking" and found the whole process to be a "very tough thing to do".

Lambert is more than happy to "go back to scratch", to serve his apprenticeship as a manager.

But the fact that he is managing a League Two club does not mean he will tolerate any less dedication and professionalism than characterised his playing career.

"I'll try to run Wycombe in the same way as if I was in a top job and will that will probably stand me in good stead if I can kick on," said the Chairboys boss.

"I try not to compare Celtic or Dortmund with Wycombe - but I try to bring the level of expectancy to the same level as those I have just left."