Norwich defender Dani Ayala is not in the squad for this weekend's Premier League home game against Wigan. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd.
Norwich City boss Paul Lambert insists Spanish break can be the perfect Premier League tonic
Paddy Davitt, EDP Sports Writer
Friday, March 9, 2012
10:50 AM
Paul Lambert insists confidence remains high ahead of Norwich’s bid to halt a run of three defeats in Sunday’s Premier League battle against struggling Wigan.
City headed to warmer climes in southern Spain this week to prepare for the final run-in and Lambert believes a change of scene can strengthen’s the club’s bid to avoid becoming embroiled in any late season drama at the wrong end of the table.
“Yeah, we went away. The lads worked really hard and we hope they come back refreshed and are ready for Sunday,” said Lambert. “We did it last year as well, came back and I felt it was a major help to us. I think the weather has been really poor here, they went and got some sun but they worked really hard – which is the most important thing.
“Listen, defeats can can happen. Especially in this league. We played really well against Manchester United and lost at the death. At Stoke we never looked like scoring but neither did they and that had 0-0 all over it. There is certainly no issue with confidence. We will re-group. The pressure is always here. It’s only pressure if you put it on yourself.”
Marc Tierney (knee) and James Vaughan (hamstring) remain on the sidelines, along with centre back Dani Ayala, who did travel to his homeland but has suffered a reaction to his fitness comeback from a hamstring injury suffered against Bolton.
“Daniel just felt a little thing but he did a bit of work when we went over to Spain,” said Lambert. “He is doing fine, but he is not under consideration for this one. We haven’t got any fresh injuries from the Stoke game.
“This is a tough game and no-one should be under any illusions that it is one of the hardest ones we face because everyone expects Wigan to turn up, being bottom of the league, and lose. That is everybody’s perception of the game but I know in my own head how tough it is going to be. It’s the same whether you play a team at the top or the bottom – you try to win.”
Lambert also confirmed striker Steve Morison had been struggling with a recent ankle problem which forced him to take pain-killing injections last month. The Welsh international has found himself behind Aaron Wilbraham in the pecking order over the past few weeks.
January arrivals Jonny Howson and Ryan Bennett are both available again after being part of the matchday squad at Stoke last weekend. Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson earlier this week reiterated he was hopeful of a potential defensive loan from the Canaries following Bennett’s completed London Road switch. Lambert insists City’s defensive injuries make that a non starter.
“I spoke to him a few weeks ago. I spoke to Darren and told him the situation with our centre halves, so he knows,” he said. “Loaning them a defender was not part of the deal. We never had any option to let anybody out of the door because of the injury situation and it is still the same. We haven’t got any spare players because we have injuries so who could I let out?”
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20 comments
Hi, Bogaz. I was such an innocent young boy back then, I had no notion that The Cat was such an old Tom! While on a local bus I am often regaled with lurid stories by an older gentleman who seems to know. Where did he get all his energy? I suppose the tin roofs at Carra Rud used to get quite hot on a sunny day? Alpha Male, or what?
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Mad Brewer
Saturday, March 10, 2012
MB Shades of Kevin " The Cat" Keelan eh?
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Bogaz John
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Oh dear.This is getting like the Jeremy Kyle "Show". I do hope this does not mean that John Terry, R. Giggs and their ilk are becoming role models for our players. Ref the provision of info by the Club. I think it`s called Glasgonost, which has all the transparency of Haggis soup.
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Mad Brewer
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Perhaps he did! But judging by Wardy's lash at Etherington last Saturday...Or maybe they all did...No doubt we will rightly never know, and Tierney will slip quietly out of the door in June.
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Soglio Star
Friday, March 9, 2012
that would explain morrison looking lost during every game he has played,.if its true about wards wife,surely ward would have give tierney a good kick in
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jmm
Friday, March 9, 2012
that would explain morrison looking lost during every game he has played,.if its true about wards wife,surely ward would have give tierney a good kick in
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jmm
Friday, March 9, 2012
Sounds like hes tried to through half the teams Mrs!
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SpixQuim
Friday, March 9, 2012
I personally cant say. with the way of this world these days id find my backside being sued within weeks. Im sure half of Carrow Road knows the rumour, even my female colleague of 63 knows lol
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SpixQuim
Friday, March 9, 2012
does it involve elliott wards wife?
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jmm
Friday, March 9, 2012
I personally cant say. with the way of this world these days id find my backside being sued within weeks. Im sure half of Carrow Road knows the rumour, even my female colleague of 63 knows lol
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SpixQuim
Friday, March 9, 2012
what did he do?
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jmm
Friday, March 9, 2012
Yes Spix, the story doing the rounds here in the West of The County is much the same regards Tierney. Very much a heads you lose scenario (or so it's understood)
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captaincozmik
Friday, March 9, 2012
Tierny will prob never play for norwich again if what i heard (which is pretty actuarate) is true!
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SpixQuim
Friday, March 9, 2012
Tierny will prob never play for norwich again if what i heard (which is pretty actuarate) is true!
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SpixQuim
Friday, March 9, 2012
Piranha24 - Put 2 and 2 together and you have your answer as to why both are not playing at the moment
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SpixQuim
Friday, March 9, 2012
More like we need an explanation on Tierneys "knee injury" and why they are still claiming he's injured.
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Piranha24
Friday, March 9, 2012
I can understand why Morison's injury was not announced at the time, just a target for the Robert Huth's of this world. However, the club does seem to manage the provison of information in the fashion of the Kremlin and anyone leaking or tweeting out of turn is likely to find themselves banished to the Yaxham Treacle Mines.
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Swiss Canary
Friday, March 9, 2012
Yes, interesting about Morrison - thought something must be up with Wilby coming on lately. Not much fire power on the bench these days. We're in strife if Holt and Jackson aren't firing (as at Stoke). Time for Hoolihan andor Howson to step up?
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canarydownunder
Friday, March 9, 2012
Win, Loose or draw they are all hard games in the Premier League. Lets add some points to the 35 already on the board. PL is great at keeping his feet firmly on the ground, although still work to be done to retain Premier League status for next season. It's what we all want and hope for.
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RoadWarrior
Friday, March 9, 2012
Hopefully that is the full explanation behind the whole Morrison thing as he is an importnat player for us. Just wondering why we are only being told this now. Roll on Wigan. Lets work hard and go out to really put them away early as I don't want a nervous game or a disappointing one. OTBC
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Preston Canary
Friday, March 9, 2012