Norwich City players and fans can expect a very different style of management from Chris Hughton – but he's still the perfect man for the job, according to one of his former team-mates.

John Polston, who played with Hughton at Tottenham Hotspur in the late 1980s before spending eight years with the Canaries, admits the new boss is a very different character to predecessor Paul Lambert.

But he believes he is the right choice to try to build on what Lambert achieved in three remarkable years at Carrow Road, by establishing the club in the Premier League.

With the return to pre-season training just 10 days away, Polston said: 'Norwich is a big job and I think Chris is the ideal appointment.

'I would say they are totally different characters. Paul Lambert was quite vociferous on the touchline, Chris is different.

'I can't imagine Chris being a shouter. He leads by example in terms of what he's done in his playing and coaching career to earn the respect of people.

'I think he's quite relaxed in his approach. He's not a ranter and raver but he knows what he's talking about.'

Polston, 44, remembers Hughton the player as a very good influence on younger players.

'I haven't seen Chris for a few years but I played with him at Tottenham in the first team and for a stint in the reserves when he was not in the side,' he said.

'I was there eight years and was always grateful for the advice he gave me. He was always one who gave his opinion to the youngsters, he was always good in that respect.

'It was only a matter of time before he went into a coaching role. He did the groundwork at Spurs, and did his apprenticeship over many years before getting his own job as a manager.

'He did a good job at Newcastle and was unfortunate to lose his job, but if the chairman doesn't want you there you are on a hiding to nothing.'

Hughton subsequently took Birmingham into the Championship play-offs in his one year in charge at St Andrew's before being appointed at Norwich three weeks ago. Polston, who played 263 first team games for City, scoring 12 goals, was delighted with the way they adapted to life in the Premier League and believes Hughton can carry on the good work.

'It was an absolutely amazing season. After getting promotion from the Championship you're usually the bookies' favourites to go down, but Paul Lambert bought well and got a good squad of players and in the end they stayed up with ease,' he said.

'When you are promoted the target is to stay in the Premier League. Everything depends how well you start but I would think that will be the main target again this season because there are a lot of teams similar to Norwich – and maybe a good cup run to go with it.'