Lambert retains faith in players

Norwich manager Paul Lambert accepts there is no “magic formula” for Barclays Premier League success – but maintains his team will continue to find their own way in search of a first victory.

Norwich went down 1-0 at home on Sunday to West Brom, who were gifted an early foothold through Peter Odemwingie when the Nigeria striker latched onto a stray backheader from Ritchie de Laet to stab past rookie goalkeeper Declan Rudd, in for the suspended John Ruddy.

Norwich had plenty of possession, but failed to really test West Brom keeper Ben Foster. Had Rudd not produced a fine penalty save in the second half, following a soft foul given against Steve Morison on Steven Reid, then the match would have been all but over with 15 minutes left.

Lambert’s men, though, continued to battle and looked to have a stoppage-time spot-kick missed by referee Mark Halsey when James Vaughan, making his debut after a knee injury, was caught by a stray elbow from Gabriel Tamas at a corner which left the striker needing hospital treatment for a badly-gashed lip. Tamas was yesterday charged with violent conduct by the FA and given until 6pm tonight to respond to the allegation, which would carry an automatic three-match ban if accepted.

Despite Norwich having picked up just two points from the opening four games, Lambert sees no major cause for concern. “There is no magic formula,” said the Scot. “If we keep playing the way we are, we will be okay. At this level, you have got to be really clued in at both ends of the pitch, and we are still learning. There are individual errors, and at this level you can’t switch off.

“We have to learn as a group that any mistake will get punished in a minute.”

Lambert added: “Even when we have won, I never get too high, and never too low when we have not, hopefully the players are the same. I have never had to pick them up since I have been here.”