Lambert focused on the end game ahead of Paulton banana skin. 'We will show them respect'

Thurs 5 Nov 09

City boss Paul Lambert insisted that no complacency will creep into the Canaries' mindset as they prepare for the FA Cup trip to non-league minnows Paulton Rovers.

This Saturday's first round match against the eighth tier club is, in many ways, a no-win situation for the Norfolk club and the watching nation will be hoping for a huge upset.

But Lambert was adamant during this morning's Colney press conference that his side will adopt a professional approach against the village outfit.

Under no circumstances do they want to be on the back pages of the Sunday papers this weekend – because we all know what that will mean.

"I'm not going to underestimate this game, not one bit – there is only one reason that TV want to take it on," said the Canary chief.

"They've earned the right to play us. If you earn the right to play someone in a one off game then you'll have a bit of belief to do something.

"If you treat it lightly you could get done, that's why I'm a great believer that if you're in something, you might as well go and try and win it.

"But if we go there and play as strongly as we have, and we don't underestimate them, hopefully we'll get through."

Lambert does, however, continue to have injury concerns and this week's bulletin didn't make for pretty listening.

He looks set to stick with Adam Drury at right-back, with Simon Lappin operating on the left, but with Matt Gill now out for a prolonged period with a calf injury, his place in midfield could go to Owain Tudur Jones.

As for the other walking wounded, the prognosis wasn't too good - especially in the case of Michael Spillane, who pulled up in training last week with a recurrence of his hamstring problem.

"Michael Spillane is struggling, he is going to be out until Christmas. Saturday might be a bit early for Jon Otsemobor [hamstring] as well.   Part 2 >>