James Vaughan replaces Simeon Jackson. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images
Vaughan’s return to Norwich City duty softens the blow for Paul Lambert
Monday, February 20, 2012
1:46 PM
James Vaughan’s long-awaited comeback was a major plus point for Paul Lambert.
The former England U21 international striker’s Carrow Road career has been signposted by a series of injuries culminating in knee ligament surgery following the club’s Premier League win over Sunderland back in September.
Vaughan looked sharp in the final 30 minutes of City’s FA Cup fifth round exit following two goalscoring reserve outings as he bids to step up his match fitness. Lambert is convinced the ex-Evertonian can help shape the rest of Norwich’s season as part of a revised first team squad that also includes recent Leeds midfield recruit Jonny Howson.
The Norwich City boss confirmed Howson will begin training with the rest of the squad this week following his own knee problem that has kept him out of the game since December.
Arsenal’s scheduled Premier League reserve visit to Norfolk tomorrow is likely to come too soon in Howson’s rehab – but Lambert believes he now has a senior group to last the course over the league run-in.
“For James and Wardy (Elliott Ward) and Howson to come back is like having new players,” he said, with fellow January signing Ryan Bennett set to finally sever his Peterborough ties at the end of the current month.
“I think Tuesday might be a bit too soon for Jonny. It’s not a bad squad. I thought James looked lively when he came on and that him and (Aaron) Wilbraham caused a few problems. Vaughan has been out for such a long period of time, but in those 30 minutes I thought he did really fine. I’m pretty sure he’ll benefit from having that time on the field and hopefully he can be a big player for us for the remainder of these 13 games.”
Lambert knows he will need every available option at his disposal to try and halt Manchester United’s Premier League title charge this coming weekend.
“We’ve got a few lads to come back for next week and hopefully we’ll have a big squad to pick from,” he said. “We’re up against one of the best teams in European football, the way they’re playing and the players they’ve got, the manager, the history. It’s a fantastic football club.
“They’ve already beaten us up there, but we did okay on that day. We know how hard it’s going to be. I watched them (on television) the other night and they were excellent.”
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6 comments
I'll be honest, I am just going off what I have read of the game and the fact that Lambert changed both strikers suggests that they weren't playing well. I think Morrison's demeanour on the pitch often makes it look like he isn't trying or doesn't care, but if you look at what he actually does rather than his body language you get a different story (I am going off games I have seen earlier in the season, up to and including the West Brom result). He does run the channels and leads the line well when up by himself. I think people also look at the body language of Holt and that makes it look worse for Morrison. He has been and hopefully will continue to be a top performer for us this season. As for those who question his technique look at the volley against Blackburn and the part he played for Holt's goal against QPR at CR. Maybe needs a rest to refresh.
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Preston Canary
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Yes, Pacheco was a livewire, wasn`t he? Some folk have opined that Moro has a bad attitude, is lazy, has poor technique etc. But he has scored a few goals and put in some good shifts. Why get on his back with such alacrity? This all seemed to start after the Sunderland game. Nobody in our squad should feel unjustifiably upstaged by Holty. He`s the best Centre-forward I`ve seen at Norwich since Ron Davies. Despite their mega-wages, footballers are as frail as any other human beings.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I was wondering if his nose is a little out of joint because Holt has forced his way back as first choice. So glad to see Vaughan back in action. Lets see if it has the same effect on Simeon as the signing of Pacheco did last year.
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Preston Canary
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Good news ref Howson. Geffy`s right, a fully fit Tierney on a raw meat diet would give us a bit of extra growl. I wonder why Morison seems so lacklustre just now? Is it because he`s let some hair grow on his head? A sort of Samson in reverse. Should get down to Delilah`s Salon and get his pate repolished!
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Urgently need Tierny back to stop the leaks!
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Geffy1
Monday, February 20, 2012
Great to see JV lasting 30 mins. Hope we can see lots more, with goal celebrations too.
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Soglio Star
Monday, February 20, 2012