Lambert insists there’s no room for ‘big-time Charlies’ at Norwich

Norwich manager Paul Lambert insists he would not “destroy the ethos of the club” by signing a “big-time Charlie” to bolster the squad during the January transfer window.

The Canaries head to Alex McLeish’s Aston Villa today sitting proudly in the top half of the Barclays Premier League following an impressive return to the elite, with just three defeats from their opening ten games. The rapid rise of the Norfolk club from npower League One to the top flight under Lambert’s guidance has been built on a strong team ethic, with many of the current squad having at one time plied their trade in non-league football.

While both Norwich chairman Alan Bowkett and chief executive David McNally confirmed to a supporters’ forum at Carrow Road on Thursday night that Lambert will be backed with funds to strengthen the current group when the market opens again, the Canaries manager insists it will not be at any cost.

“I won’t destroy the ethos of the club for one individual. And as I think the chairman said last night, the club won’t ever go back to the position it was in two years ago,” Lambert told a news conference. “Would I put up with someone coming here and thinking they’re bigger than what we have already got? No. But if you’re talking about ‘big-time Charlies’ arriving, then what you tend to find is that ‘big-time Charlies’ want the big-time money, which we won’t do because of what’s been happening.”

Meanwhile. Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina believes the club have made such huge strides in the last 12 months that players can now afford themselves the luxury of having ambitions to win the championship again.

With the whole atmosphere transformed under Kenny Dalglish, Reina said: “We are a much better team than last season,” said the Spain international. “We have strength in the team and the squad and it has become competitive right now. It is just the first step we have to take in a long-term project. Things are improving but we want to be even better and at some point be champions of the Premier League again.”

First, however, they have to regain their Champions League status and if they are to do that they have to win matches like today’s visit of Swansea.

This evening’s game sees league leaders Manchester City travel to QPR, and manager Roberto Mancini knows only too well where the main danger to his side could come from – his former player Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Mancini said: “I am sure Shaun will want to play very well against us, but I am happy because now he plays in every game - and he deserves that because he is a good guy and a good player. We need to pay attention to him on Saturday.”

Manchester United entertain Sunderland and visiting manager Steve Bruce knows a trip to Manchester United on the weekend during which Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates 25 years as manager is perhaps not the best time to face a fired-up home team.