Norwich V Wigan at Carrow Road - Match Preview

Paul Lambert has nothing but admiration for his Norwich players after what he has described as an "incredible" season so far.

The Canaries have surpassed many people's expectations since their return to the Barclays Premier League and currently sit comfortably in 11th place.

Norwich enjoy a 13-point cushion over the drop heading into Sunday's fixture against struggling Wigan and manager Lambert has nothing but praise his side as a result.

"I think we've done great since that first game," he said.

"I don't think anybody envisaged this would happen - it's been incredible what the lads have done.

"I've got nothing but admiration for the way the team has gone about it and picked up points away from home, which has been great.

"At home we've been great and we've always been in a game. We've never let ourselves down.

"We've always made a fight of a game and for where the lads have come from, they deserve every bit of credit that's coming their way.

"They're sitting in mid-table at the minute and if we win on Sunday we can go again, up a couple, and I've got nothing but praise for them."

Norwich head into the match on a run of three successive defeats, but many have tipped them to get back to winning ways on against the side propping up the table.

However, Lambert has warned against complacency and believes Wigan will play without pressure at Carrow Road.

"There is less pressure on you away from home because of the fanbase," he said.

"When you go away from home maybe there is less pressure on you to perform because the majority of the home crowd will be with us.

"Yes, they are having a hard time at the minute so it is up to us to keep them down there.

"I don't think their principles have changed. I think (manager) Roberto (Martinez) is great, he is a football person, so I don't think they will move from their beliefs. It is a hard game.

"Everybody is a threat, it is a team game and if you neglect a team and focus on an individual it is going to be really tough. We need to be bang at it to win."

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez believes Norwich's unpredictability has been the key to their surprisingly effective return to the top flight.

They entertain the Latics having lost just four times at Carrow Road this season and safely anchored in mid-table, in points terms nearer Chelsea than the drop zone.

Martinez feels the status is fully deserved, thanks largely to Lambert's tactic of mixing a neat flowing style with the ability to go route-one when required.

"The big thing about Norwich is they are unpredictable," said the Wigan chief.

"They are a footballing side who can play their way out of the back. But they also have other physical players.

"They use that. It allows them to get into the last third and score goals by different methods.

"It gives them flexibility in how they approach games and means they can work in different formations."

More importantly, Norwich have players who know where the goal is. Grant Holt is the club's top Premier League scorer with 10, but Steve Morison and Anthony Pilkington are not far behind.

By contrast, Wigan can do no better than four goals apiece for Franco di Santo and Jordi Gomez, neither of whom have found the net since the middle of December.

"The hardest thing for any team in this league is to score goals," said Martinez. "They have prolific scorers.

"Norwich have been really impressive. They have grown into the league and shown great belief. They have a freedom and bravery and willingness to create chances.

"It doesn't surprise me how well they have done.

"The old feelings of inferiority from teams who got promoted, that need to keep clean sheets and trying to win games by being defensive, has gone."

Source: PA

Source: PA