Paul Lambert insists there is no rift between himself and Norwich City.
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has ‘no animosity’ towards Norwich City
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
10:38 AM
Paul Lambert insisted yesterday there is ‘no animosity’ on his part towards Norwich City ahead of his first Premier League reunion at Villa Park this weekend.
The Aston Villa chief also confirmed the outstanding legal issues between himself and the Canaries remain ‘on going’ following his acrimonious summer exit.
City’s hierarchy are still seeking a separate compensation claim against Aston Villa after Lambert replaced Alex McLeish in the Midlands, but the Scot reiterated they are side issues compared to securing a priceless three league points against his former employers.
“It’s just a game, a game we will try to go and win. Listen, I know those Norwich lads as well as anybody but I don’t have any animosity towards Norwich whatsoever,” he told Skysports. “I want to win every game I play. I have a huge gratitude to Norwich City football club for what they did for me in my time there. But like I say there will be no animosity from me.
“We’ve just got to push on. There’s no time to mope. If you start feeling sorry for yourself then you get problems. Some of the football we are playing at the moment is pleasing. It’s not like we’re struggling all over the park, we’re playing some really decent football. There are miles to go, country miles to go, but we do need to start turning these performances into wins. I’m not overly concerned.”
Villa’s latest Premier League defeat at Fulham compounded a difficult start to Lambert’s tenure with his new club making their worst start to a season since 1986. The 43-year-old is urging Villa’s fan base to turn out in force this weekend to try and arrest that early season decline.
“Yes, I want to win, like everybody else, and the crowd want to win, but I don’t think it will be long before we turn performances into results, I really don’t,” he said. “It’s important that the lads keep their heads up and I’ve told them, ‘Don’t let your heads go down because you will take knocks along the way. But you’ll bounce back from it.’
“It’s how you bounce back from it that’s most important. I think the lads will be fine, I think they’re mentally strong enough to handle it.
“They’ve played in front of big crowds before and this week we’re at home. There will be a big crowd again there to watch it so we’ll be fine. Our crowd were brilliant at Fulham. They were right behind us.
“We’ve just got to make sure everybody sticks together. They were excellent. But they have been all season. I have nothing but praise for them. I understand they will be disappointed to lose but I can see a lot of good things.”
Villa’s young side were undone by a late Chris Baird set piece at Craven Cottage on Saturday, but Lambert is adamant the former European Cup winners are on the right track for long term success.
“I didn’t think there was a lot in it. I thought it was a really close game,” he said. “I thought some of our play was really good. I can take positives out of it. I’m not going to be too downbeat. We keep going. We will be fine.”
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13 comments
Absolutely, Swiss Canary. Couldn't agree more. PL doesn't give much away. The interview above sounds like the sort of thing he used to say when we had lost a game (that's when you could understand what he was saying.)
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Flying Canary
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
It's time for this to be settled out on the pitch. We all knew he was a bast*rd, but when he was our bast*rd most of us, including me, did not really mind. I did not like how he left, he certainly did not seem to be very straight about it, but I was not really surprised. Regardless of the manner of his departure, he gave us three very enjoyable seasons. If he thinks he can get a big wedge over his departure, that is up to him but three points on Saturday would be particularly sweet. OTBC.
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Swiss Canary
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The reason there's going to be a big crowd Mr Lambert is because we are all going to be there. Chris Hughton's Green and Yellow Army.......
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Cannock Canary
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Judas!!!!
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Canaryfan 25
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
No animosity? - Yeah, RIGHT!
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Mikey B
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Stop talking pish Timmy-Bhoy. The day you aren't bothered about the outcome of a fitbaw game hell will freeze over !
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Timbo
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Lobbo, apparently he had a bonus clause in his contract for us staying up, which was incrementally higher depending on our finishing position. He quit before the bonus was paid so now the board are refusing to pay it and he's not a happy bunny.........
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Canary Poshboy
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Another bit of psychology from Mr Lambert prior to our game on Saturday, just in case our boys give him a bit of a pasting, the words egg and face spring to mind.
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cornwallcanary
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
He should have no grudges against City. He was well supported by the fans whilst at City and we enjoyed his style of football. We all knew in our hearts City was only a springboard for his loftier ambitions but he may have slipped up going to Villa too soon, maybe he is in too much of a hurry!
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goldie
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Perhaps he just likes money, Tom? Bowkett once described him as "the most impatient man I`ve ever worked with". You get the impression that PL is trying to make hay while the sun shines. Perhaps he doesn`t see the long-term in anything. Whether it be career or relationships.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
If he has no hard feelings towards us, he wouldn't want to sue us! Also if Aston Villa are as rich as they say they are, surely they wouldn't mind paying us £2mill for Lambert?
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Tom
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Reportedly, PL is being cast as Mr. Freeze in a remake of that Batman movie. I`m sure he has a personality that is quite capable of malevolent acts whilst feeling no malice. Chilling.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
So why's he suing us
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Lobbo
Tuesday, October 23, 2012