Norwich City boss has high praise for Ince

David Cuffley

City boss Paul Lambert prepares to pit his managerial wits against Paul Ince again tonight - with nothing but praise for the former England star.

Ince is in his second spell as MK Dons boss and the two men enjoyed previous battles when Ince led the Dons to the League Two title in 2007-08 and Lambert's Wycombe reached the promotion play-offs. Both games finished in draws, 1-1 at Wycombe and 2-2 in the return fixture.

"I never played against Paul but I knew him when I was at Wycombe," said Lambert. "Top lad he is, really top lad. I've had a few conversations with him on the phone - a really nice guy.

"He's done a brilliant job at MK Dons. He did well at Macclesfield and well at MK Dons and got a massive opportunity at Blackburn - I don't know how many games Paul got there, but it wasn't enough. For somebody just going into the Premier League it simply wasn't enough games to get his stamp on it.

"He's found himself back at MK Dons and he's doing well there again."

Lambert knows that City's next two opponents - they entertain Charlton on Saturday - are among League One's leading lights, but believes every game has to be treated with the same thorough approach.

"There is no doubt that, no disrespect to other teams, they are bigger teams," he said.

"But in this league, I've been in it long enough to realise that when you play your Walsalls and Wycombes and Brentfords it's tough - sometimes they're harder to play against than the bigger teams are.

"So I'm under no illusion how hard it is, but I take every game as being as difficult as each other. I don't prioritise who's better because I think if you do that you're in danger of being complacent. So every game I go into I think it will be really tough.

"The league is really unpredictable. Whoever gets promoted will definitely earn the right to get out of it.

"They're a good side, MK Dons, that's for sure."