A delighted Paul Lambert hugs Wes Hoolahan. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images
Paul Lambert’s praise for Norwich City’s old guard
Paddy Davitt
Monday, February 6, 2012
10:11 AM
Norwich City’s potent finish against Bolton is a sign of things to come, according to Paul Lambert.
The Canaries surged forward in the final quarter to decide a contest which looked to be increasingly tilting in Bolton’s favour after half-time, with City’s makeshift backline stretched at times.
Lambert added two more young talents to his squad during the January transfer window to equip City not just with the technical ability, but the lung capacity to go right to the final whistle.
“This season, next season, whatever happens to this football club, the lads are at a really young age,” he said. “They have a lot of years left in their careers to go and play at the highest level, hopefully, for them it will be great. I’ve said before, the game is about players. It always will be and that’s the most important thing, that these lads will have decent careers.
“We try to play the way we train and we train at a high tempo as well. They’re used to that. Yeah, they show a lot of enthusiasm for the game. They’ve been with me now, some of them, for the best part of three years, or two-and-a-half seasons, so they know what to expect, but they’ve been a credit to the football club. It’s a long, long way to go and we’ve done really fine at the minute. The way they play the game is great, it’s great credit to them.”
Lambert also reserved praise for the experienced men in his squad.
“Adam came in and did what Drury does. A terrific pro,” he said. “I thought Simeon (Jackson) and Grant (Holt) were a handful. I thought Wes (Hoolahan) and Foxy (David Fox) as well. Everybody played well. I had a belief in them to get the goal. I’ve always said I have got no worries about the lads. To a man, they were absolutely outstanding.”
Lambert’s troops also look the part with the glove-wearing culture at other clubs singularly absent on the coldest day of the season to date.
“It’s not probably something I’m an advocate of, wearing gloves and that sort of thing,” he said. “I just think if somebody’s coming from South America to here, I can see why. But whether the lads play with gloves, it’s their prerogative to do it. It’s not something I’ve put a stipulation on. I’ve never noticed that, to be honest, I just let them go and play the game.”
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13 comments
I think Adam would rather be down Drury Lane. OTBC.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Or if they wanted a goal-fest they could ask Borussia Portman Road over.
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Swiss Canary
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
That would be a good one, CanarySid. Do you think PL has enough influence to pull that off? I suppose Celtic is a possibility, too. But Borussia Dortmund would be tops! Going back thro` PL`s career, I suppose we could have Wycombe Wanderers or Colchester? I still like B-D though! OTBC.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
That would be a good one, CanarySid. Do you think PL has enough influence to pull that off? I suppose Celtic is a possibility, too. But Borussia Dortmund would be tops! Going back thro` PL`s career, I suppose we could have Wycombe Wanderers or Colchester? I still like B-D though! OTBC.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Drury was due to have a Testimonial at the End of last Season, but it was postponed due to us getting Promoted. Therefore i would expect a Testimonial for him at the end of this Season and a Big Team you would think, maybe Borussia Dortmund ??
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CanarySid
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
LIG, your posting arrived before I saw it (!). So he was one of Worthington`s first. Is Drury getting a testimonial soon?
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Mad Brewer
Monday, February 6, 2012
Cheers Lambo, I remember Barry Fry describing him as the best left back outside the Premier League. He reminds me a bit of Denis Irwin, in that when he makes a mistake you really notice it because they are so few and far between. He is consistent and that must be down to his positional sense.
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Preston Canary
Monday, February 6, 2012
It is great to see Adam Drury still up for it and making a fantastic contribution. A really loyal player and a great example for the young lads. Lambo mentions Wes and Fox, it seems to me that Fox enables Wes to get to the top of his game with his passing, they seem to have a really good understanding.
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Swiss Canary
Monday, February 6, 2012
On Saturday the team played the way we like them to. With courage and committment going flat out to the very end. Only supporters with a limited knowledge of top flight football would complain about the way they play. Heard people moaning when the team passes back and hold possession of the ball to draw the other team out of defence, they obviously don't have a clue. We have seen 2.5 seasons on the trot of really good football. I also can't understand why so many supporters leave the ground before the boys have left the field, why don't they stay for a few minutes to give them a good clap after such a good performance. Come on you Yellows.
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goldie
Monday, February 6, 2012
Incredible performance all round no will those moaners who were quick to comment after the Sunderland game do us all a favour and shut up, thank you. Long live the Lambo magic!
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jaroldcanary
Monday, February 6, 2012
Was he a Worthy one? I can`t remember either. Or was he before that? As you say, PC, a good old boy. I believe a testimonial is planned this year?
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Mad Brewer
Monday, February 6, 2012
Drury arrived in March 2001, on the same day as Gary Holt, so has nearly completed 11 years. Quite why he hasn't had a testimonial yet I don't know, as his 10 years was completed last year. He was one of Worthington's first signings. In his time here, Drury has been in 1 play-off final, 2 promotions to the Premiership, 1 promotion from League 1, 2 relegations and 2 seasons in the Premiership. Not exactly dull - I doubt NCFC have ever had a player involved in more memorable seasons (for the right and wrong reasons!). And still proving he still has it at the highest level.
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Lambo is god
Monday, February 6, 2012
I love Drury, he has been an absolutely outstanding player for us and has been with us so long I can't remember, without looking it up, when he came and who signed him. Not the player he was, but has the technical ability to adapt his game. I wonder how much longer he has left. Surely worth a testimonial. OTBC
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Preston Canary
Monday, February 6, 2012