When it comes to superlatives, Norwich City manager Paul Lambert doesn't hold back on them when he tells of his players' performances.

Some of his favourites include, "When you look at where we came from" and "I can't fault them".

Lambert's praise extends beyond the players, though. Two out of the previous four managers distanced themselves from supporters.

One questioned the fans' loyalty while the other looked down his nose at everybody, not just the supporters.

As a Norwich City supporter it gives a sense of fulfillment to hear the manager say that City's position in the league is as much down to the supporters as it is the players.

Truyl great men seldom seek the limelight for themselves, and Paul Lambert shrugs off any suggestion that this turn around in Norwich City's overall performance is as a direct result of what he and his coaching staff has achieved between them.

When he first came in there were suggestions that we might have another Martin O'Neil on the books and we must strive to keep this one, not scare him away by failing to support him fully.

As time has progressed little thought is given to "another Martin O'Neil"; instead, we have a Paul Lambert. As plain as that.

Considering that almost half of the first team regulars had to sit out much of the Festive Fixture List, what man management skills Lambert p[ossesses.

To inspire fringe players to go out and not only defeat the once runaway leaders, QPR, but to face Middlesbrough on their home territory just two days later and repeat the performance.

If it were not for a very unfortunate Leon Barnett and the ball taking a deflection from his boot, a victory could have been ours.

The question of surviving the first season back in the Championship must now be answered in the positive. It would take a complete and utter submission to fail now.

It is clear that Lambert is winning the boardroom battle, as well. Despite the false promises of former years, it somehow has a ring of truth to it when Lambert tells us he has the final word on letting our star players go.

And "Star Players"... Now we have a group of lads whose names are mentioned in loftier places, such as Blackburn managerial offices and the TV pundits' Green Room.

Yet, just over a year ago at the home of Paulton Rovers, the commentator would have needed team sheets to tell him who both sets of players were.

That illustrates how far Paul Lambert has taken us. We were seen as an easy three-pointer; we have graduated through a team that others would like to topple to become a team others must beat to stop us from getting back-to-back promotions.

Yes, the players are the ones that go out, week after week, and turn in winning performances. However, they have had it drilled into them that they can win every game if they put their minds to it.

And only one person focuses those minds on the bigger picture.

The monumentally colossal miracle-worker, Paul Lambert.

Photo: Action Images

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