David Cuffley City boss Paul Lambert has laughed off suggestions that he may be prepared to sell his prize assets in the January transfer window.

David Cuffley

City boss Paul Lambert has laughed off suggestions that he may be prepared to sell his prize assets in the January transfer window.

Top scorer Grant Holt and star forward Wes Hoolahan were both on target in the 2-0 win over Oldham at Carrow Road, prompting questions as to whether the Canaries can hang on to the highly-rated pair.

But Lambert shot them down in flames, saying: “Nobody's going to go anywhere as far as I'm concerned. I'd be stupid.

“The fans would burn this place down if I let them go. I'm not going to do it.

“That would look good, sitting near the top and you're going to let a couple of the lads go. Yes, I'm sure the fans would be happy with that. I don't think there would be a stadium here, so no.”

As to whether he may get inquiries about either player, he conceded: “You'd probably have to ask every other manager. They're performing at the top of their game. When you do that you tend to attract interest - or you might get one out of the blue that you never saw coming. It's what other managers see as vital for their team.”

Holt, Hoolahan and Chris Martin now have 40 goals between them in all competitions this season.

Said Lambert: “I saw Wes years ago when I brought him over to Scotland, so his progress has been dramatic from the time I saw him. And some of his football today was unplayable at times. His goal was different class.

“He did fine at Livingston and his career has gone on the up. He's just got older, more experienced and has more of a cutting edge to his game.

“I first saw Grant three years ago. He's a typical British centre-forward, and Chrissy Martin is an absolutely brilliant finisher when he's in front of that goal. You have three lads here at the minute who are really confident and really good players.

“The three of them have done absolutely brilliantly with the amount of goals they've got, but the whole team as a unit has been terrific.

“The most pleasing thing is we've got a group of lads who are working really hard for each other as a team. It is a team game and if we get that we've got a chance.

“The three lads up the top get a lot of plaudits for what they're doing but Doherty's been excellent, Forster's been terrific, Russell Martin's come in and looked as if he's been there for years. Drury didn't make a mistake. Rusty (Darel Russell) has been great, young Korey Smith has been great, Lappin is full of energy. Every one of them has been massive for me.”

Lambert rated City's display against Oldham among their best of the season.

“I thought we were brilliant. I thought some of the football we played was excellent against a well-organised team.” he said.

“There could have been a couple more goals but the football and our patience was really, really pleasing.”