Jonny Howson maintains it is up to the Norwich players to prove last season was not just "all Paul Lambert" as new manager Chris Hughton looks to take the club forward.
Lambert oversaw three campaigns of success at Carrow Road, guiding the Canaries up from npower League One and swiftly on into the Barclays Premier League, where they finished 12th. With the Scottish coach now having taken over at Aston Villa, former Newcastle and Birmingham manager Hughton has been charged with building on those solid foundations.
Midfielder Howson - signed by Lambert from Leeds in January and who has been linked with a £4million switch to join his old boss at Villa - said: "Paul Lambert did a terrific job here and it is our responsibility now as players and the staff coming in to carry that momentum on."
The 24-year-old added: "The club has been on the up the last three seasons, and we have to keep up the hard work. We still have all the players here and I am sure we can do it."
Howson, who made 11 Premier League appearances after recovering from a knee injury, continued: "The manager points you in the right direction, tells us how he wants us to play, but as players we are the ones who go out there and do it.
"I don't think it is a case of it just being all Paul Lambert, because the players went out there and achieved that. It is about getting a mix between managers and staff, then all helping each other out."
Howson came through the youth ranks at Elland Road to skipper Leeds, before deciding against extending his contract last season.
The former England under-21 international insists no matter who is in charge, players will always remain focused on delivering the required performances.
"In my short career, I have now had about five or six managers that I have played under, so nothing really changes there," he said.
"I am obviously very grateful for Paul Lambert bringing me to the club and giving me the chance of Premier League football. But no matter who the manager is, you have to impress every day, so that does not change."
Source: PA
