Chris Lakey The new-look Canaries face the first test of their resilience away from the comforts of home when they visit Scunthorpe this afternoon. Will the attack-minded collection of players Paul Lambert has gathered be able to cope with the close confines of Glanford Park, where the hosts will be looking to continue the form which saved their bacon last season?The fear in some quarters is that City are a “home” team which may struggle on the road.

Chris Lakey

The new-look Canaries face the first test of their resilience away from the comforts of home when they visit Scunthorpe this afternoon.

Will the attack-minded collection of players Paul Lambert has gathered be able to cope with the close confines of Glanford Park, where the hosts will be looking to continue the form which saved their bacon last season?

The fear in some quarters is that City are a “home” team which may struggle on the road.

Lambert's view is that attack is the best form of defence - and he has the ammunition to back his argument.

“The approach won't be any different from what it was last year,” he said. “We will take up a terrific following again.

“The onus is on the home team, it always is, to make the running, but that's not to say we are going to go there and sit back. We have the players to defend, but also going forward we are a threat and if we get a chance, hopefully we can take it. If you can win the majority of home games and take care of away ones at certain times then you will be around it.”

The sight of Grant Holt and Chris Martin each scoring twice in the midweek Carling Cup win over Gillingham will have eased any nerves in this neck of the woods. Holt edged ever closer to full match fitness, while Martin simply confirmed the pre-season view that he looks trimmer and sharper.

Holt has become a cult figure among City fans - perhaps taking the pressure off Martin's shoulders.

“It might well do,” said Lambert. “People forget he is only 21, he is only on the first rung of hopefully a terrific football career.

“People should remember that. There will be times when he just has a dip, there will be times when he is just on fire, but as a natural finisher there are not too many people better than him about.

“Goalscorers are unique and if he keeps on scoring you just never know where it can take him.”

Holt and Martin may well be nailed on starters this afternoon, but behind them Lambert has to decide whether to stick with Korey Smith and Simon Lappin, who came in for summer signings Andrew Crofts and Andrew Surman respectively in midweek.

“I knew with Korey and Simon what I was going to get, even though they haven't played as much as they probably thought they had,” he said. “It does give you a problem and I have to decide what I do tomorrow.”

Crofts missed the midweek game as he was on international duty with Wales while Surman had a slight injury.