Town midfielder Jon Nolan believes he is learning from one of the all-time greats in his position — his manager, Paul Lambert.

The Scot famously starred for German club Borussia Dortmund and was in the team that defeated Juventus, whose team included French star Zinedine Zidane, in the 1997 Champions League final.

Also, at the semi-final stage he helped to eliminate Manchester United, his performances earning praise from future Town boss Roy Keane in his autobiography.

Nolan said: “I’ve spoken to the gaffer about the Champions League final and he was reeling off the names of some of the players he played against, including Zidane. He’s a Champions League winner and there’s not many who can say that.”

It was previous boss Paul Hurst who signed the Liverpudlian last summer, after their time together at both Grimsby and Shrewsbury, and Nolan was asked if it was a case of having to win over Lambert after he arrived to take charge at the end of October.

He replied: “That’s basically the case for every player in the game. They have to convince their manager that they are worth a place in the team. When a new manager comes in it is up to every player to prove their worth because if you don’t you’ll be gone, simple as that.

“I picked up an injury soon after the gaffer arrived and that was obviously very frustrating. No one likes to be injured and I am trying to stay away from that physio room.

“I never go in there unless it’s absolutely necessary. It would be great if the lads in there could get fit and help us with the push over the last few games.”

Nolan has featured in several different midfield set-ups with Town and added: “We’ve had the diamond system recently and I felt that when we played that it worked well.

“But the gaffer obviously changed it at Wigan when Jonas [Knudsen] was sent off.

“Until then I thought we were on top and looking comfortable. As players we all have to be flexible and fit into different systems and formations.

“Whatever the gaffer picks for Saturday against Reading I’m sure we will give it a right go.

“There are loads of central midfield players at the club but competition for places is always good.

“From a personal point of view I feel I have learned a lot from the gaffer in the past few months.

“He was a central midfielder himself and in terms of coaching I have learned more from him than anyone else.

“But where we are now, it’s all about results. It’s almost as the coaching goes out the window for now

“ I’ll take a poor performance if it means three points, do you know what I mean?

"Hopefully we’ll put in a good performance against Reading and win the game, but the main thing is that we get three points.”

Nolan was asked, if the worst happened and Town found themselves consigned to English football’s third tier for the first time since 1957, whether he felt they would be competitive next season and mount an immediate challenge to return to the Championship at the first available opportunity.

He responded: “Yes, definitely. This is a massive club but I don’t really want to talk about relegation.

“I see that as being a bit negative and we need to be positive from now until the end of the season. It’s not over yet remember.”

Photo: TWTD

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