Source: Team_Talk
Lambert not fazed by PL circus
orwich manager Paul Lambert insists there is no danger of him getting caught up in the hysteria that surrounds the Premier League.[LNB] The Canaries made their top-flight return after a six-year absence with Saturday's 1-1 draw against Wigan at the DW Stadium.[LNB]For Lambert - who has guided the Norfolk club to back-to-back promotions over the last two seasons - it was a first taste of England's elite division, but the Scot is determined to treat the 2011-12 campaign as business as usual.[LNB]"I never read too much into it," Lambert said.[LNB]"It is the same as with League One and the Championship - your emotions are totally focused on the game.[LNB]"I know the prestige and media attention of it, but I just try to stay the same as how I have always been."[LNB]Norwich's supporters were certainly making the most of the occasion on Saturday, with 4,500 making the journey to the north west after the club sold out its ticket allocation for the game.[LNB]"They were brilliant again here," Lambert said.[LNB]"It is extraordinary what the fans do for the club, because they travel a hell of a long distance to get anywhere."[LNB]As for the players, there was little or no Premier League experience among the team Lambert selected and he was delighted with the way they went about their task.[LNB]Wigan took the lead in the 21st minute through Ben Watson's spot-kick after Franco Di Santo went down in the box under the attentions of Ritchie De Laet, who was chasing the striker back having given away possession.[LNB]The Canaries equalised just before half-time when Ali Al Habsi could not hold on to Steve Morison's delivery and Wes Hoolahan slotted the ball into the net.[LNB]Watson almost won it late on with a shot which struck the woodwork and Victor Moses and Hugo Rodallega also went close in the dying moments, but both were denied by blocks from De Laet.[LNB]"Credit to them - they showed great desire to not get beaten," Lambert said.[LNB]"Last year I said if you can't win a game, make sure you don't lose it and they are a credit, those lads.[LNB]"They keep on going. The spirit is there and has been there for the last few years.[LNB]"I always think we will score and I never thought we came here and looked tentative. I thought we handled everything okay.[LNB]"You have to remember, two years ago we were in League One. That is the magnitude of it.[LNB]"In the cold light of day, if you had told me then that in two years we would be in the Premier League and taking a point at Wigan, they would have taken you away in a straightjacket."[LNB]With Rodallega having returned late to pre-season training with Wigan after his involvement with Colombia in the Copa America, Latics boss Roberto Martinez opted to start with Moses and Di Santo in attack.[LNB]Rodallega was then introduced in the second half as Di Santo came off, and Martinez was pleased with the contribution of all three players.[LNB]"It was a real bonus for us to have Hugo available - I didn't expect him to be probably until next week, but he is super-fit," Martinez said.[LNB]"He was involved in midweek in a practice game we had and he was ready, so it was great to have his fresh legs on the pitch.[LNB]"I was very pleased with Franco. Probably that is the best performance he has had with us.[LNB]"I felt he was brave, a real threat, and worked extremely hard. He is like a new player for us.[LNB]"Victor had a big role in the last 10 games of last season. He is only 20 and he is a unique type of player.[LNB]"I think we all agree those are the types of player we want to see - you would pay good money to watch Victor Moses enjoying his football.[LNB]"He still needs to develop and we will help him to do that, but he was tactically superb."
