Lambert takes Norwich top as club go to war with newspaper

Nowich overtook Leeds United to go to the top of Division One on Saturday but the result has been overshadowed by claims that the club is in serious financial difficulties.

Sunday's News of the World claimed that Paul Lambert's club are on the verge of administration triggering a furious denial from the club.

Celtic's issues last week with the Daily Record pale into insignificance compared to the reaction from Norwich to the News of the World story.

A legal letter has been sent to the newspaper publishers and reproduced on the Canaries website.

In summary the letter states: “Our client is not on the brink of administration.

“Our client is not teetering on the brink of financial meltdown.

“Our client will not go into administration by Thursday 28 January 2010 (or any other date) if they cannot find major (or any) new investors.

“Neither Ernst Young or KPMG nor any other person or firm has been "called in" as a potential administrator; and

“Our client does not desperately need new investment to stave off administration.”

The website demanded: “In the circumstances, our client requires the following:

“ 1. A full apology in wording to be agreed, to be published in at least as prominent a position in the next edition of the "News of the World" and on the NOTW website; in the same quantity as the offending Article.

“ 2. Payment of a substantial sum in damages

“ 3. Payment of all legal costs incurred to date

“ 4. An undertaking not to republish the article or repeat its allegations.

“Should you fail to satisfy these requirements our client will commence an action for defamation. We expect the immediate withdrawal of the Article from your websites and your full response within 7 day.”

Going to the top of the league looks like a side issue compared to the language used in that letter!

Lambert has done a fantastic job on Norwich with 25,000 watching their win over Brentford which almost aggregates the entire weekend attendances of the SPL outwith the Rangers-Hearts match.

After a troubled start to his management career at Livingston and Wycombe and a controversial departure from Colchester the former Celtic skipper is starting to enjoy the success he had as a player.

Promotion now looks likely for Norwich, after their clash with the News of the World keeping hold of their manager could be the club's biggest challenge.

Nowich website statement

Turnaround specialist Lambert is the top bhoy

On a day of debuts it was former Celtic skipper Paul Lambert that emerged as the top bhoy as Norwich steamrollered his old club Colchester United 5-0.

Davie Moyes and Gary Caldwell also enjoyed good wins whilst former Celt Colin Healy looked very comfortable helping Falkirk to a 1-1 draw on his first return trip to Celtic Park.

It's hard to imagine a bigger turnaround than reversing a 7-1 home defeat into a 5-0 away win, add in some local rivalry and a promotion place and it makes Norwich's win all the more remarkable.

There were predictable chants of Judas aimed at Lambert from the home supporters but that won't be bothering the Norwich boss with his new side now sitting just three points behind pace-setters Leeds United.

The grudge match attracted Colchester's biggest crowd in 42 years but Lambert played down the significance of the result afterwards.
He said: “The lads were brilliant, they really were, considering all the things that have been going on and have been said, they kept their heads and kept their game going and I thought we were worthy winners.

“We came here to try and win another three points, which we've done. I thought some of the football we played in really bad conditions was exceptional.

“Some of those players were beaten heavily at the beginning of the season and I'm pretty sure for some of them it was at their back of their minds but they never ever showed it.

“We came here to try and win another three points, which we've done.

"I said to the lads you've got to change your game for certain conditions but I thought some of the football we played in really bad conditions was exceptional.

“We had 2,000 fans here today and we could have had a lot more, as I've said before they have been fantastic for us this season following us everywhere in their droves.

“I'm pretty sure that today was sweet for them after what happened on the opening day of the season.

“We will do everything we can to try and go up this season, but for this moment in time I hope we gave them something to feel happy about today”

Norwich have now won seven of their last eight League One fixtures and are clearly looking more towards automatic promotion rather than a play-off place.

Sitting four places behind Norwich is Simon Ferry's Swindon who beat Gillingham 3-1 at home with Paul Caddis expected to move to the County Ground on loan before the end of the month.

It was debut day for Barry Robson, Willo Flood and Chris Killen at Sheffield United but they were unable to prevent Middlesbrough losing 1-0.

Gordon Strachan's side are 13 points away from an automatic promotion place and six behind Sheffield United who are in the fourth play-off spot.

After the defeat Strachan said: “I know what has to be done and I have to change it.

“It's not great fun, it's not nice, I wouldn't recommend it for anybody but you have to deal with it.

“Fortunately I've been about for a few years in this job but I don't think it would be great for a young manager.”

In the Premiership Davie Moyes became the first manager to defeat Roberto Mancini's Manchester City with a 2-0 win at Goodison while Caldwell made a winning start to his Wigan career with James McCarthy a scorer in the 2-0 win away to Wolves.

Lambert joy as Norwich move into third place

Paul Lambert was the happiest former Celt after today's action with Norwich moving into third place in League One with an impressive 3-0 home win over Huddersfield.

The on-loan Celts are disappearing fast with Simon Ferry helping Swindon Town to a 2-1 home win over Brighton that takes Danny Wilson's side into a play-off place.

Ben Hutchison failed to make the bench for Swindon as did Darren O'Dea at Reading and Cillian Sheridan with Plymouth.

There is risk and understanding in all loan deals but only Ferry has benefited from regular football during his loan spell. Hutchison's 'chance' at Celtic has probably come and gone but both O'Dea and Sheridan have hopes of a Celtic career which hasn't been advanced by their loan deals.

At Carrow Road Lambert seems to be getting on top of things despite taking over after the season had started.

Haunting him through the season will be Norwich's 7-1 home defeat from Colchester when he was in charge of the visitors, although that result clearly put him in the frame for the Norwich gig Colchester are just three points behind with a game and hand and the threat of action from the Football League hanging over Lambert's departure to Norwich.

In midweek Norwich had lost out on penalties to Southampton in the Johnston's Paints trophy with today's match goal-less at the interval before goals from Wes Hoolahan, Chris Martin and Gary Docherty earned the points in front of 25,000 fans.

After today's win the former Celtic captain said: "I thought the players were extraordinary. Particularly after Southampton. To go out there; the long journey back and everything. I thought they were extraordinary.

"What was said in the dressing room stays there, but I wasn't too disappointed. Sometimes you have to ride a storm before you can come through it. But it's not about me... it's the lads that have to do it, they have to come through it.

"They're the ones that have done it, they're the ones that have given the club back that winning feeling."

Norwich face points deduction claim over Lambert deal

Colchester United have demanded that the Football League deduct points from Norwich City over the recruitment of Paul Lambert.

No compensation has been agreed between the two clubs following the move for the former Celtic captain who quit Colchester United for Norwich alongwith his management team of Ian Culverhouse and Gary Carsa.

Colchester are currently one point above Norwich in third place in League One with both clubs looking to be involved in the battle for automatic promotion or play-off places.

Adding extra irony to the situation is Colchester's opening day 7-1 win at Norwich which earned Bryan Gunn the sack and clearly brought the then Colchester boss Lambert to Norwich's attention.

With the quirky way that football loves to operate it would be no surprise if those three points on the opening day of the season turned out to be highly significant at the end of the campaign.

COMPENSATION

Colchester hardly seem to have suffered with the appointment of Aidy Boothroyd as Lambert's replacement but that hasn't dampened the Essex club's desire for compensation, or revenge as it's better known.

"A few points could be the difference between them and us come the end of the season and, if that means the difference between promotion and not going up, that could end up costing us millions of pounds," said Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling.

"I think football should now take a stand and set a precedent by deducting Norwich points.

"We regret that it has not been possible to settle compensation claims with Norwich City relating to Paul Lambert, Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa and therefore we have had to report all four parties to the Football League for breach of Football League Regulations and misconduct.

"The Football League will set up a Football Disciplinary Commission (FDC) to hear Colchester's complaint. The FDC has power to award Colchester compensation and deduct points from Norwich, a remedy which we are advised might be particularly relevant in this case.

RELATIONSHIP

"In the past the two clubs have always enjoyed an excellent relationship and, during the time they were at Colchester United, I had a first class relationship with Paul, Ian and Gary who did a wonderful job for us.

"We have genuinely tried to preserve those good relations and it therefore saddens me that we feel compelled to take this step. However, no one should doubt the resolve of the Colchester United Board to seek a fair outcome."

Cowling claimed that he has been unable to have a meeting with Norwich chief Alan Powkett to discuss compensation since Lambert moved.

Norwich responded to the move by saying: "City can confirm they have been informed Colchester United have made a formal complaint to the Football League against the Canaries and three members of our management team, Paul Lambert, Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa.

"The matter is now in the hands of our legal representatives and the two clubs will be called to a hearing of the Football Disciplinary Commission to resolve the matter."

Lambert's side travel to face Southampton today on the back of three straight wins.

PADDY POWER WEEKEND SPORTS SPECIALS

Sutton's FA Cup challenge

Former Celt Chris Sutton dips his toes into the managerial graveyard of the FA Cup tomorrow when he takes Lincoln City to face Conference North side AFC Telford.

The New Bucks Head Stadium is a million miles removed from the stadiums that Sutton graced as a player but already in his management career the former England striker has shown his keenness to roll up his sleeves and get to work at the footballing coalface.

Lincoln haven't made the second round of the FA Cup since 2003/04 when their manager was dominating Scottish football in the final season of his partnership with Henrik Larsson.

Sitting in 19th place out of 24 in League Two, Lincoln won't be taking anything for granted at Telford although Sutton happily wasn't overdoing the cup cliches when he previewed the match.

The Lincoln boss said: "If you'd asked me would I rather draw Norwich, Leeds and Charlton or Telford I would pick Telford, and that's no disrespect to them because we are expecting a tough game.

UPSETS

"I think over the years they've caused a few upsets and last year they were unlucky to lose to Southend, so they will think they're in with a chance.

"It's a very special competition and I am aware that we haven't won through to the second round for the last six years.

"That's too long and it's about time we put that right by beating Telford tomorrow, although I realise it will be tough. Myself and Ian Pearce (Sutton's assistant manager) went to watch them the other night and they are decent.

"They will certainly fancy their chances, especially as they are at home but ultimately it's about what we do and we simply have to be at it from the first whistle."

ZAMERETO

Elsewhere in the FA Cup Paul Lambert takes Norwich to face Paulton Rovers who play five levels below the Canaries in the Zamereto League.

Paulton have won through five qualifying rounds to face Norwich with the game a 2,500 sell-out despite being shown live on ITV, kick off 12.45 Saturday.

Loan Celts Simon Ferry and Ben Hutchison will be expecting to progress with Swindon at home to Woking with Ferry on the scoresheet in last week's 4-1 win at Tranmere.

Evening Herald report from Hamburg

Managers Sutton and Lambert on the winning way

With the weekend spotlight on international football two of the Seville Bhoys were working away at the gritty end of the game steering their sides to away victories.

Paul Lambert and Chris Sutton helped Norwich and Lincoln to wins away from home at Carlisle and Macclesfield to keep up their impressive starts after taking over at their new clubs with the season underway.

Lambert will be expected to take Norwich back to the Championship after effectively ending the management career of Norwich legend Bryan Gunn with a 7-1 win on the opening day of the season at Carrow Road.

After a difficult start at Norwich Lambert has steered the club to three consecutive victories with yesterday's 1-0 win at Carlisle coming thanks to a first half goal from Wes Hoolahan who played under Lambert at Livingston.

Next Monday Lambert faces his biggest test of the season when he takes Norwich to face Leeds United.

Down a division Chris Sutton made it two wins out of two with a 1-0 win at Macclesfield which seems to have ruffled quite a few feathers in the home dug out.

Macclesfield manager Keith Alexander had previously managed Lincoln and had three former Lincoln players in his side and didn't mess about describing the penalty that defeated his side.

"It was a diabolical decision," Alexander said. "What was worse was that the free-kick given against Lee Bell on the halfway line that led to the goal was a nonsense."

Some straight talking there!

Sutton typically was keeping things low key saying: "I'm obviously happy with two wins but we've got to keep a lid on things. We are still a long way from where we want to be.

"But that said, since I've been here the boys have given me absolutely everything they've got."

Elsewhere Celtic connections were thin on the ground due to the international break.

Simon Ferry and Ben Hutchison were in the Swindon Town side that managed to draw 1-1 at home to Millwall, that's the sixth time in their last seven fixtures that Swindon have drawn 1-1. Scott Cuthbert scored the Swindon goal.

Cillian Sheridan played the full match for the Ireland u-21 side that drew 1-1 with Georgia on Friday night with Plymouth team-mate Alan Judge scorng the Irish goal. The Irish side also included Wigan's James McCarthy whilst Chris Hughton's son, Cian of Lincoln, made his international debut as a late substitute.