Russell backs Lambert to get it right in summer

Norwich City title winner Darel Russell is confident Paul Lambert can equip the Canaries for Championship combat next season.

Russell has clocked up 12 campaigns in English football's second tier with both City and Stoke and knows Lambert will be in the market for summer reinforcements to help build on League One success.

'It's definitely a tough league, you find that it is very physical with a lot of good athletes,' the midfielder said.

'But as long as you play the right way and move the ball quickly then anyone can cope with it.

'You just have to make sure you want to go and play the right way and sometimes the way we have played this season is more than adequate to play and handle that division.

'I'm quite sure the gaffer will make additions that will help us in the summer to progress the team and we'll be a good fighting team next season.

'Sometimes if you have too many changes it can be difficult because I've been in sides before where the manager has made a few changes and it takes a while to settle the side.

'I feel we have that core and if we can add some additions which will provide even more competition and drive that can only be a good thing.'

Russell's first Carrow Road goal of the season against Gillingham set Lambert's men on their way to the title on Saturday before a header from central defender Michael Nelson sealed victory and top spot in League One.

Nelson has also endorsed Lambert's transfer credentials.

'It's up to the manager. It doesn't really matter what I think, what the players think, or what the press think,' said the 28-year-old. 'The manager will do what he's done this season. He'll go out and do his own thing and he'll get the team ready for next year. I'm sure if he brings people in or people go out, I'm sure whatever he does will be for the best of the club and I hope the club will keep on and keep progressing.

'I'm not going to start saying he should do this and he should do that. He will do what he feels is right and I think you can see by the signings he's made this season that he's more than well equipped and got a good knowledge of what he needs to cope, in whichever division he's managing in.'

Russell believes City must now try and prolong the feelgood factor in effectively two final league dead rubbers against Bristol Rovers this weekend and the Carlisle title presentation finale at Carrow Road.

'The motivation now is to go out in these last two games and enjoy ourselves so let's try and perform without that pressure of having to achieve something,' he said. 'Obviously getting the trophy at Carlisle in our last game here is going to be special and we want people to come along and be entertained. We always want to win as professional footballers plus it gives us the confidence again to take on into next season that winning habit which is something great to have.'

City's title triumph was extra special for the London-born midfielder at the club that gave him his first footballing break.

'Its fantastic to finish a long season at the top and get that medal and do it with a great coaching staff behind the players and fans,' said Russell. 'We had the great weather, great result and it's just brilliant. You saw the scenes at the end and that team spirit has played a massive part. We've had to show that in games when we've been behind and in difficult times and we came back. We've professionally completed the job, it's a step in the right direction, and we have to keep on doing it.'