Paul Lambert reflects on promotions, Delia and that red card

There was a period when the Scot had almost reached deity status in Norfolk. That famous double promotion is a memory that has lived long within the consciousness of everyone connected with the club. 

It started with the club at their lowest ebb. They had been beaten 7-1 by Lambert's Colchester United and were playing in the third tier. It ended as champions. That momentum was applied to an unforgettable automatic promotion charge in the Championship. 

Lambert made dreams come true. Arguably, his work laid the foundations for everything that has followed at Carrow Road. 

But the move to Aston Villa in June 2012 caused upset and controversy. Becoming Ipswich's manager in October 2018 might have broken the relationship with City supporters beyond repair. 

Reflections of his spell in Norfolk since his departure have been rare - but in an interview with Pink Un via Betway, he has named the first promotion as his biggest achievement at Norwich. 

"Getting out of League One [was the biggest achievement] because the club was in disarray," Lambert reflected. "Financially, it was in disarray. Delia and the board pretty much saved it. Nobody really realises how close the club was to closing at that time because of the financial situation.

"Then the lads went on this winning streak where they bounced on from game to game and got results after results.

"Then the promotion happened to the Championship, and then they did it again. Getting to the Premier League wiped out every bit of debt and financial owings that they done.

"I was delighted for Delia and Michael because they took some criticism, which was absolutely shocking." 

Throughout the conversation, even after all the water that has flown under the bridge, the one topic that provokes a warm glow from Lambert is the mention of the squad he led. 

The Scot pulled together players from lower divisions with big hearts and a burning desire to prove the footballing world wrong. That fuel pushed the club back into the big time after a period of decline. 

Paul Lambert still has plenty of respect for Norwich City joint majority shareholder Delia Smith. (Image: Simon Finlay/Newsquest)

Whilst the likes of Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan took the acclaim, Lambert is keen to ensure no player goes without praise for their contribution to the City cause during his tenure. 

"They were great lads," he said. "Some of the stories I'll probably never ever tell and will take to the grave with me, but they were brilliant. An absolute joy to work with, not just as footballers.

"People always gave them a perception that they were League One or Championship players, but you never really know until you get into a league whether you can handle it or not and they did.

"They handled the Premier League brilliantly and actually cruised it. We finished 12th but comfortably in there. They deserve a lot of credit for what they did, those guys. It was so unfair to single out one of them because there are so many of them.

"I know people mention Grant (Holt) and Wes (Hoolahan) but there were so many of them. It would be disrespectful to leave any of them out because, not just as footballers, there were some brilliant characters."

Since Lambert's departure, only his successor Chris Hughton has managed to keep a City squad in the top flight. 

The Premier League hasn't been a place of joy for the Canaries, who have been relegated on their last three visits. That is the challenge facing David Wagner this time around. 

Lambert masterminded a 12th-placed finish, and Norwich amassed 47 points in his final season in charge of the club. That achievement has gained increasing notoriety the more time has progressed. 

"It was difficult, even in that time. In my time, Manchester United were ruling the roost, Liverpool were still a really good side, Manchester City were a good side, Tottenham were a good side - it was just different eras. 

Norwich City were brave and bloodied the noses of many top Premier League clubs under Paul Lambert. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

"It was really tough. The one thing I had at Norwich, and I always say it, I had a group of players there who were brilliant to manage. They went the same way, swam the same way with each other, would bail each other out, they were just a brilliant bunch of guys. 

"They are the ones who took the club up for oblivion to the Premier League and more or less saved the club that way," Lambert said. 

"As characters, they were brilliant. I couldn't ask for any more from them and they are the ones that actually did it."

What made that team connect with supporters and remembered so fondly was the willingness to go toe to toe with the very best on offer in the top flight. 

City took a point at Anfield against Liverpool, they beat Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane and their penultimate game of the campaign was a thrilling 3-3 draw with Arsenal at The Emirates. 

That approach came from Lambert - who instilled a no fear mentality into his side and refused to change his ways, despite the quality of opponents in the Premier League. 

"Maybe that was a bit of naivety from myself because I always played for teams that were on the front foot - like Borussia Dortmund and Celtic," Lambert said. 

"I took that into my managerial career. In hindsight, that might have been a bit crazy to do, but when you look at the guys I had, they only knew that way of playing, and I didn't really want to change that sort of thing from League One to the Premier League.

"Most of them had been with me for those three years. If I would have went a little bit cautious or different, I think they would have thought 'why are we doing this when we've had a lot of success on the front foot?'.

"I think they all enjoyed it. Even though sometimes we'd get beat, I think if you asked those lads, they would say it is one of the most enjoyable periods of their careers."

Now, mention of Lambert's name transports City supporters back to February 2019, when he was in the opposition dug-out as Ipswich boss for an East Anglian derby. 

Paul Lambert saw red at Carrow Road in 2019 as manager of Ipswich Town. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Daniel Farke's title winners went on to win the game 3-0, with Lambert seeing red for a heated moment between both benches. 

Asked for his reflections on that moment five years on, he admits it was all about distraction to try and bridge the quality difference between the respective sides. 

"I knew Norwich were a better team than us, without a doubt. I thought I needed to create something to try and deflect for the Norwich players as well to try and distract them.

"I know we lost 3-0, but I knew they were a better team and had a better group of players. They were stronger and were flying at the time,” he said. 

"Then it kicks off, and you get the red card and all that, but there was nothing to it. It was nothing major and there wasn't punches being thrown or anything like that.

"Then you get the Norwich crowd who want to have a go, but that was cool. That was okay."