Norwich City squad expect changing of guard

Adam Drury believes Norwich's recent regulars under Paul Lambert could have no complaints if the City boss decided to ring the changes following Saturday's defeat.

Lambert has made just one change to his starting 11 in four matches - the enforced withdrawal of centre-back Jens Berthel Askou at the weekend - but following the Canaries' insipid second half showing at Carlisle on Saturday, the left-back knows everyone's place is under threat.

It is something brought into focus with last week's two loan signings - Anthony McNamee and Russell Martin - waiting in the wings come tomorrow's return to League One action, at Southend.

"We didn't play well tonight, we know that, but obviously in the previous games all the lads that have played have done very, very well," said Drury.

"When you don't play well, then the gaffer has got every right to change the team if he wants and if he chooses to do that on Tuesday, then he's got every right to. We've set high, high standards for ourselves and tonight we didn't reach them.

"That's why we've got to get back to those standards and the way we've been playing the previous games and get another run going."

Drury admitted he was gutted the Canaries had slipped to a subdued FA Cup exit - but knows they have to bounce back immediately.

He said: "It was gutting. Obviously it wasn't the result we wanted and we didn't play particularly well. We went a goal down early, in both halves really, but then we came back well and the first half I thought we controlled the game, especially towards the end of the half.

"Then second half we conceded early again and then we're chasing the game. We never really got going like we have been playing, we've been on a great run of late, and it's disappointing.

"But it's how we bounce back from this. That's the sign of a good side, if we bounce back Tuesday. We've got to make sure it's a blip, a one off, and it doesn't happen again, because - like I said - we've been on a great run and there is no reason why we shouldn't go straight back on another good run now.

"We have been doing really well but we've got to keep positive. It's got to be a one off and we've got to make sure of that on Tuesday and get back to winning ways."

Norwich's second round exit is the first time they've failed to make the third round of the FA Cup since 1959, and Drury acknowledged it does not feel nice to miss out on mixing it with the big boys in this year's competition - although his focus has already switched to continuing City's more promising form in League One.

"It's a massive disappointment not to be in it, but then again we've got to get on with the league now," said Drury. "We didn't perform tonight but then we've got to make sure we carry on performing in the league."

Young keeper Jed Steer got his first taste of a Norwich City senior squad at Carlisle on Saturday, after he was named back-up to Fraser Forster.

With fellow academy product Declan Rudd still nursing a training ground injury to his knee, the 17-year-old - who signed a two-and-a-half year pro contract in September - made his first appearance on a senior team-sheet. And although the boyhood Norwich City fan was not called upon during the game, Norwich manager Paul Lambert believes the trip will have done him good.

"He's another up and coming young player at the club, so the experience won't do him any harm," said Lambert, who also handed 17-year-old winger Josh Dawkin 11 minutes of pitch time as the Norwich FA Cup cause lost momentum terminally. The Norwich manager acknowledged the fact City's academy is producing players he can call on.

"It is, thankfully, because we can't go and delve into the transfer market as much as what we'd like to do. That's the nature of the game. But I can't fault the lads for effort or commitment tonight. It's just on this given night we weren't there."

Defender Jens Berthel Askou missed only his third game of the season in the defeat at Brunton Park for family reasons - and it is still unclear whether the centre-back will be able to return for tomorrow's League One fixture at Southend.

Lambert said: "He had to call off. His wife was really not well and hopefully she's feeling better, so we had to let Jens stay with his family."

The manager was not worried by midfielder Simon Lappin's show of annoyance at being substituted, saying: "You'd be more worried if people weren't hurt by getting taken off. Simon's been terrific for me, he's played every game and been a major part of whathappened here."