Ipswich Town boss Paul Lambert feels Project Big Picture is a reconstruction that should not be needed

Ipswich town manager Paul Lambert says financial help does need to be filtered down the football pyramid but says it should not take a reconstruction of the game for it to happen, writes Steve Pearce.

A proposal, labelled 'Project Big Picture', supported by Liverpool and Manchester United and backed by EFL chairman Rick Parry has become the talk of football over the last 48 hours.

The key elements of the proposal would see the Premier League reduced to 18 clubs, the EFL to receive £250m immediately from the top flight to help clubs deal with the fall-out from Covid-19; the EFL to receive 25 per cent of a shared media rights deal with the Premier League and a bigger say in the running of the game for the so-called big six clubs (Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City).

It’s clear that Project Big Picture has a long way to go yet before being sanctioned though with the Premier League, the Football Association and the Government all speaking out against the proposals. And the Town boss says there is much to debate.

“Something has to change in the game but there needs to be a lot more dialogue,” Lambert told iFollow Ipswich.

“There are a lot of questions to be answered first and I can understand the controversy it’s created.

“I’m old school and believe there should be one body running the game but if change is going to come about, everyone has to be involved; get their heads together and be in agreement. If it’s for the good of the game itself then everyone will agree with it.

“There are so many avenues to explore and while it’s clear that money has to be filtered down the leagues, I don’t see why it needs a reconstruction to make that happen.

“Clubs in the lower leagues needed help before the pandemic but Covid is causing havoc in sport and in lots of areas, not just in this country but around the world so something does have to be done or clubs will go out of business.”

See the full interview on the club's iFollow subscription service .

Bishop and Edwards in Team of the Week

Teddy Bishop and Gwion Edwards have been named in the Sky Bet League One Team of the Week.

The Blues duo have been recognised for their performances in the 4-1 win at Blackpool on Saturday.

Midfielder Bishop picked up an assist and capped an impressive first-half display with Town's third goal just before the break, caressing a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Edwards assisted Luke Chambers' spectacular opening and notched a brace, bagging the second and fourth goals in a fine individual display.

Read more: All the latest Ipswich Town FC news