Norwich City boss happy to stay out of limelight

Chris Lakey Paul Lambert is hoping for a bit of normality tonight as City attempt to right the wrongs of their Championship opener when they begin their Carling Cup campaign.

Chris Lakey

Paul Lambert is hoping for a bit of normality tonight as City attempt to right the wrongs of their Championship opener when they begin their Carling Cup campaign.

The blow of Friday's home defeat by Watford was softened somewhat by some surprise results over the weekend, City's elevation from bottom place to 15th without kicking a ball - and the belief that with the spotlight off, Lambert's team can get down to business.

Media attention isn't something that Lambert courts, so the opportunity to prepare for the visit of Gillingham with few interruptions was a welcome return to normality.

“I said it was a dangerous game because it's Norwich's first time back up, Sky were there, you had everybody doing interviews on TV, there was everything there.

“I can't stand it - the limelight and all that sort of thing, I can't stand it. I'd rather the players have it all. I don't really pay much attention to outside influences - as long as the team is good and the fans are with us and the club is going good I don't pay much attention.”

Lambert is hoping for a return of the winning feeling he found early on in his Carrow Road tenure which provided the thrust for last season's League One success, to boost confidence in the camp.

“I think if you go on any sort of run, whether it's the league or cup, it automatically does that,” he said. “The winning becomes a habit and people just use it as a springboard. Whether it's a cup competition or the league it doesn't matter, it's the same.”

City's defence took the bulk of the criticism for Friday's defeat, but Lambert says he has the personnel to put things right.

“We have to,” he said. “You don't turn around and say, 'I'll wait six or seven games in'. They know themselves and hopefully we come out tomorrow and we win the game.”