RICKIE Lambert admits he was “disappointed” by Alan Pardew’s shock sacking – but knows the squad have got to get over it very quickly.

The squad has been without a permanent boss since Pardew was sacked on August Bank Holiday Monday.

Two poor home results have followed – a 3-0 defeat to Swindon in the JPT and a miserable 2-0 League One loss to Rochdale.

Last season’s 37-goal hero said it had been a tough period since Pardew’s surprise dismissal, which came just two days after a 4-0 win at Bristol Rovers.

However, he praised caretaker boss Dean Wilkins’ efforts in leading the squad since then.

“It’s been difficult, but Dean’s been brilliant at keeping us going and keeping the spirit high and keeping the lads focused on the games coming,”

said Lambert.

“It’s turning into being as normal, good and sharp.

“It’s a shock at any time that the gaffer gets sacked, but obviously after the result it was a bit of a shock.

“It took us a while to get used to it and that showed in a couple of the results.

“But it’s about getting the results now.

“We don’t want to lose many more games, so it’s about getting the results.”

Lambert said the players had also been trying not to let all the speculation about the manager’s position affect them.

“Everyone just concentrates on the football and whoever the manager will be it’s not in the players’ hands,” he said.

“So we’re just concentrating on doing our part.”

While Lambert didn’t want to be drawn too much on Pardew’s controversial sacking, he confessed he was sad to see the man who brought him into the club go.

“I don’t want comment too much, but I was disappointed,”

he said.

“He’s helped a lot in my career and in furthering my career.

“So I was disappointed, but it’s up to me and the players to forget about any situations like that and produce on the pitch.”

And Lambert is expecting a difficult test when Saints visit the County Ground tomorrow.

“ T h e y ’ r e one of the best teams in the league, e s p e c i a l ly last season,”

he said.

“But the last time we played them it was more us not being up to scratch than them being brilliant.

“We dominated the game until they scored the first goal.

“They’re very good at counter attacking and it happened again.

“I don’t think we deserved to lose 3-0, but you can’t get away from the fact we did just over a week ago.

“That hurt a lot, so we’re trying to put that right definitely.”

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