Lambert aware of derby importance

Last updated : 26 November 2010 By BBC Sport

"I'm fortunate to have played in a few but never been a manager in one really," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"Derby games are special, there's no doubt about it, it's as important as the ones I've been involved in."

He added: "The Glasgow one is different because you've got two massive clubs in the same city.

"But here you've got one team in the city, which is great, but it's every bit as important to the fans that we try and win the game."

Lambert (r) played in 21 Old Firm derbies for CelticLambert is not the only Norwich representative to have never been involved in an East Anglian derby.

The Canaries' relegation to League One in 2009 meant rivalries were put on hold for 12 months and the squad has changed somewhat over that time.

Only Adam Drury, Simon Lappin, Wes Hoolahan and Chris Martin have faced Ipswich in a Norwich shirt before, and Drury and Lappin are both ruled out on Sunday because of injury.

"It's new for me, it's new for most of the lads and I think it will be a terrific atmosphere," Lambert added.

"A derby game - you can never tell what way it's going to swing, no matter who's playing well and who's not.

"People raise their game and people do things they don't normally do on a football pitch."

And Lambert will be soaking up the atmosphere from the Carrow Road stands as he starts the first game of a two-match touchline ban for his reaction to decisions by referee Michael Oliver in the 3-3 draw with Reading earlier this month.

Assistant manager Ian Culverhouse will be running the show by himself on the dugout.

"The only frustrating thing is I let myself down for doing what I did, it was an accumulation of a lot of things that night," said Lambert.

"It's just something I have to take on the chin really, it's frustrating I can't be in the technical area.

"Ian will know exactly what to do, we've been with each other for a few years now."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport