Reaction From Canaries Boss Paul Lambert

Last updated : 14 October 2009 By Thetashkentterror

Paul Lambert
Norwich manager Paul Lambert spoke to the assembled press after his side's 1-0 win over Carlisle at Brunton Park, Lambert particularly happy with City's defensive efforts in the game :


"It's probably for other people to see and what they think, but for me it is an honour to be here. It's not me that has made the impact - the players have turned it around. And the fans, they're incredible. Teams raise their game against us, you've got all that to compete with when you are a big name - but it's the players who have turned it around.

"I think what we have done is raise the spirits at the club and we will take one game at a time. There is a long, long way to go but we have risen pretty quickly and we are giving something back to the people who come and watch us. We had a few chances and on another given day they could have gone in, but the players have been a credit to the football club. For me, 1-0 is probably the greatest result in the world.

"It was totally different from the free-flowing football that you lads want, but I'm absolutely delighted with what they're doing, Carlisle are a good side, it's a really hard place to come - really, really tough. It's the same at our place, the onus is on the home side to make the running and as good as we've been going forward recently we were excellent in the second half defensively.

"I thought we were excellent collectively as a group throughout though. To see the game through I am absolutely delighted with them. One thing is for sure - they have got character in abundance, that's what they've got.



"In some games we've had incredible things happen to us. At Gillingham we went down to ten men, lost Jon Otsemobor in the same game, put Declan Rudd (in goal) and then scored in the last minute. At Charlton we also scored in the last minute. There have been games where we have stuck right at it and there have been games where we have played extraordinary football.

"I never set targets - all I think is to try and give the club something back for what it has been through. The way the club was we just had to come in and try and give it a little bit of stability. It lost its manager, there was the fans running on to the pitch and getting beaten by Colchester. All those things going wrong at the one time was a lot for a club to take on.

"Wes (Hoolahan) had a knock on his foot. That's why he missed the game the other night - as did a lot of them. And to come back in, they've not done much training and they had a long bus journey yesterday so it's a terrific three points. They were as fit as they could be. I don't think you are ever going to play the game 100% fit, but I couldn't play them against Gillingham. Today we took certain risks with some of them but they came through it fine.

"Adam Drury being here 15 hours after his wife gave birth speaks volumes for him. He has been terrific for me since I've been here and it was a big plus. Then there was young George (Francomb) coming in again when Jon (Otsemobor) pulled out the other day in training. He looked tired, but having been thrown into an environment like this, he was great."