Lambert not getting too excited about Addicks gap, despite yet another vital three points

City boss Paul Lambert refuses to get carried away, despite his side opening up an eight-point gap to third placed Charlton with the 2-1 win over Hartlepool on Saturday.

It was a scrappy affair from the home side’s point of view and there were some heavy legs after two hard-fought wins over Brentford and Walsall.

But with the Addicks only managing a home draw with Tranmere, coupled with last Monday’s defeat at the hands of Leyton Orient, there is now clear daylight between the Canaries and the play-off pack.

Not that Lambert is one for studying league tables too closely. There are plenty of games left and more than enough teams that can cause some real damage.

“I don’t look at it because I know every game is hard and I never really look over my shoulder,” he said afterwards.

“Leeds have still got games in hand and they are a really good side and Charlton are still a really dangerous side as well.

“There are plenty of teams there that are dangerous but I’ve got enough to worry about without looking at somebody else.”

The last week has certainly seen the league leaders pushed right to the limit, with one-goal margins just enough to see them home on three occasions.

And the Scot is learning all the time. It’s not all about winning at a canter every week, you’ve got to be able to grind it out as well.

“The great thing about it is the football we’ve played since we have been here has been absolutely terrific.

“But sometimes these sorts of games tell you a bit more about people, what they are really like, to see games through, and that’s what it showed.

“When things are not going the way they have been for the last few months you sometimes have to grind out a result – and they are every bit as important as if you are winning 5-0 or whatever the case may be.

“They can be proud of what they have done, they have been terrific. It’s not easy when the demand is on you to win every single week; it is not an easy thing to do.

“People on the outside looking in might think, ‘they’ll do this and do this and do this’ – it doesn’t work that way.

“You have to give other teams a lot of credit for the way they play. Nobody is going to give us anything on a plate so I think the lads’ efforts since we have come in have been extraordinary.”

The Pools success, sealed by a Cody McDonald header and debut goal from Michael Rose, was a club record 11th home win in a row and in what is turning out to be a very eventful season indeed, Lambert was pleased to make a bit of history.

“The group of lads, with what they’ve done, will go down in a wee bit of history hopefully for them and they deserve it, they deserve everything that has come their way.

“The turnaround from the lads has been extraordinary. I never really sit back and think what they’ve done because you expect them to keep churning out results and they keep on doing it.”

One player who has certainly taken his recent chance with both hands is McDonald, after Grant Holt’s suspension paved the way for him and Oli Johnson to shine.

But after his 85th minute winner at the Banks’ Stadium from the bench, the Canary boss gave the former Dartford man an opportunity to shine from the start against Hartlepool

And despite running out of steam towards the end, McDonald was at his industrious best. He does, of course, have a knack of finding the net and his 27th minute header certainly had the stamp of a goal poacher.  Long may it continue.

“He hasn’t played much football, and tiredness will have crept in, there’s no doubt about it.  But his contribution in the last two games has been huge.

“He knows where the goal is. He’s only a young lad but he’s got a terrific willingness to learn – that’s what is good about Cody.

“He never gives you a problem and he wants to try and be a footballer.”

Tom Haylett