Lambert happy to defy expectation

Norwich City manager Paul Lambert is delighted his side could go into Christmas sitting ninth on the English Premier League table.

Lambert, who has masterminded successive promotions in his first two seasons at Carrow Road, is under no illusions that most people were expecting Norwich to be somewhere near the bottom three.

Lambert said he has not put any pressures on himself or the team regarding the team’s final position, and was just glad City are competing with competition’s elite.

Speaking after the 2-2 draw with Wolves on Tuesday, he told reporters: “I never really put an expectancy level on myself or the players. They’ve done brilliantly for me.”

“I think everybody expected us to be probably bottom of those three promoted teams, if the truth be known.”

“Everyone was tipping us to be bottom but we’ve done great. There’s a long, long way to go and it’s going to be really, really tough. But, I think we’re doing great.”

“All we can do is compete with teams. We’ve got a real easy game against Spurs next,” he joked. “That just shows the magnitude of what this club has done.”

The former Borussia Dortmund player has revealed he is likely to spend when the transfer window opens on January 1, citing injuries and suspensions as the reason for extra numbers being required.

“I think the group will need a hand in the January window,” he said. “I’ve always said that due to injuries and suspensions.”

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy twice watched his side – which lies 16th on the table – come from behind to earn a point, but cut a far more frustrated figure than Lambert.

“Of course there’s a concern about turning draws into wins,” McCarthy said. “I’m not sat here blissfully happy after a 2-2 draw with Norwich at Molineux.”

“We’ve just had two home games against the promoted sides and we’re not a team that won.”