Paul Lambert says the recent dry run from his front men is not a concern. Grant Holt's goal at Middlesbrough on January 3 is the only one scored by a striker in the last half a dozen games.

But the City boss insists that if they're playing well and someone else is scoring, then it is not an issue.

'It's not a concern,' he said. 'I always think we will score. I'm not one to go by stats. You can ask me stats all you want, the only stat I know is when we try and win a game, that is the only one that concerns me.

'If people have a barren spell, if that's what you want to call it, but the other side of their game they're doing great then I don't have a problem because I know they will score.'

Lambert watched his side draw a blank in a tough game at Crystal Palace on Saturday, when the aesthetics of the game had to play second fiddle to the need for a point – but he is convinced he has a squad that can mix and match according to the circumstances.

'I think we have got the physical aspect, we have lads to mix it if somebody wants to go head to head,' he said. 'I also think we have lads who can create things and make it happen. I think there is a great balance.'

The Carrow Road surface may play its part tonight – it's expected to be of bowling green quality compared to Selhurst Park at the weekend.

'I think you have to earn the right, whether you are on a brilliant surface or one where it is not as good, you have to win the battle,' Lambert said. 'You hear that a million times over, you just can't turn up and think you are going to play the purest football match, it doesn't work that way.

'It's win the battle first and hopefully stamp your authority on it and then get on top of it. Once you are doing that you hope you start to dictate the tempo of the game and it needs a bit of luck to get the goal.

'To sit second in the league at the minute has been a remarkable rise. There have been times when we have had to go and battle and earn the points and not play as good as you want.

'You never get a succession of games where you play brilliant and silky football gets the results, there's a lot of hard work.'

Millwall come to Carrow Road tonight having conceded just 16 goals in 14 away games – one of the Championship's better records – in a clash of two of last season's promoted sides. The fact that City are second, Millwall eighth, and Leeds are sixth speaks volumes for the strength of opposition last season.

For Lambert, it's no surprise.

'I knew what it was like playing against them,' he said. 'Everybody has adapted very well. I just think the way the three of us have done and what we have done has been great.'

Lambert doesn't have too many selection concerns: left-back Adam Drury picked up a thigh problem at Palace and was due to be checked yesterday. Marc Tierney stands by.