FORGET the gloom, let’s have some fun.

That was new boss Paul Lambert’s opening assessment after being unveiled as Ipswich Town manager.

The former Colchester United chief has inherited a confidence-sapped Blues side, rock bottom of the table, five points from safety and a team that have won just one of their opening Championship fixtures.

But you’d never have known it from his first press conference.

The positive rhetoric was to be expected, of course.

He was hardly going to waltz in, grunt some words and then make a quip about the last person switching the lights off.

But from watching him speak to the assembled press, I was impressed.

First and foremost, he spoke about the fun factor – playing, living and working in a positive, enthusiastic environment.

That wasn’t the case, it would seem, under Paul Hurst.

Lambert can’t change the past, obviously, but has vowed that from now on, Town will play with hunger and desire – surely music to supporters’ ears, given the limp, turgid performances of recent weeks.

He wants to create an atmosphere where it’s a “happy place” and added that in his first few days, the players had been excellent and upbeat, so much so that an outsider wouldn’t know the position the team currently finds itself. That’s encouraging.

Another line I liked was when he spoke about players making mistakes.

He said that would be “irrelevant” and “my fault, not theirs”.

He’s clearly not afraid to dish out home truths and admitted there are times when you have to say something isn’t good enough.

But enjoyment is clearly paramount to his philosophy and that, I’m sure, will strike a chord with many supporters, simply because watching this team hasn’t felt like fun for years.

Another thing that struck me was Lambert’s passion and desire for the job, despite the storm clouds over Portman Road.

He has vowed to draw on every ounce of his vast experience and, perhaps incredibly, given his new team’s plight, doesn’t feel under pressure.

He insists he will “throw everything I’ve got” at the job and said he was proud to become Ipswich boss.

“I know football inside out and know the pressures and pitfalls,” he said.

“But I don’t feel pressure and never have, as a player or a manager.

“The game is about the players and supporters and if I can get the spirit and tempo going, we’ll become a good side.

“Every job is tough and every job is a challenge.

“But I’m not frightened by this one and can’t wait to get started.”

Clearly, a big factor in Town reviving their season will be getting the supporters back onside, especially the thousands of disgruntled fans who have been staying away from Portman Road.

Lambert admitted that was “absolutely huge”, issued a rallying cry and, rightly, isn’t expecting any backlash because of his strong Norwich City connections.

The Scot enjoyed huge success at Carrow Road, who he joined from the U’s, and guided the Canaries from League One all the way to the Premier League.

Predictably, many of the opening questions referred to his triumphs up the A140.

However, Lambert was clearly keen not to dwell on previous experiences, saying he didn’t want to be judged on past success and failure.

It’s a fair point to make because those times count for nothing.

“It’s been and gone,” he said, when quizzed for the umpteenth time about his spell in Norfolk.

Instead, Lambert and his new supporters will be hoping this is the start of a bright, positive and rejuvenated new era for Ipswich Town.