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.
“George Francomb [thigh] is doing OK but he hasn’t trained and it might be a bit early for Stephen Hughes [thigh] too. But hopefully he’ll start training soon.”
The Scot went on to reveal that he had been hitting the phones hard in an attempt to get some fresh blood in. At the time of writing, however, he still hadn’t received the green light.
“We’ve tried for hundreds but we haven’t got anyone. But we are waiting for an answer to come back to us. If we can get him in then fine, if we can’t then we’ll move forward again.”
With the injury situation as it is, the City boss will not have much opportunity to tinker with his line-up for Saturday’s cup showdown.
But he revealed that he is not even tempted to rest a few weary limbs. As far as Lambert is concerned, that would be playing with fire.
“I want to win the game. I’m not going to go there and treat it lightly, I’ll treat it like I’ve treated every league game so far and we want to get through to the next round.”
After his super sub role last weekend, there have been calls for Cody McDonald to be given a go in Somerset this weekend.
But while Lambert admitted that he has been impressed with the likeable Essex boy, the Scot hinted that he will try and stick with as much of his winning line-up as possible.
“Cody did fine and he did great for the goal last week which was pleasing. But the team is going well at the minute so you’ll have to see which team I’m going to put out.”
Whatever team Lambert puts out will be gunning for their seventh win in eight games and the former Celtic hero is of the opinion that a cup run can only help your league ambitions.
And while promotion is the obvious goal in 2009/10, the Norwich boss will be hoping that they can strengthen that winning mentality at Winterfield Road this weekend.
“I think it keeps the momentum going. My belief is that if you’re in something, you should do your best to win it.
“There is no point in playing the game if you don’t want to try and do well. We want to go as far as we can.”
Tom Haylett
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