Mike Williamson played under Norwich manager Lambert at former club Wycombe Wanderers from 2006 through 2008, when Paul was manager there.
Mike Williamson – unable to stop Robin van Persie last Monday night
And Mike seems not surprised with the fantastic success Paul Lambert has enjoyed with Norwich City.
The Scot has taken them to promotion from League One and the Championship in successive seasons, and he now now has the Canaries in 12th place in the Premier League.
Mike talked about what it was like to work under Paul Lambert:
“I’ve worked under Paul Lambert before and he’s very organised and very motivational,” “He’ll look for an honest group of players who give him everything.”
“I thought they’d stay up this season, I didn’t have any doubts about that. They’ve shown what they’re about and they’ve got goals in the team as well.” “He’s got that drive and as a player, he had a lot of success.”
“He’s taken that into management. I always thought he’d be a success. They’ve been fantastic.”
Lambert won many honors as a player, winning the Scottish Cup with St. Mirren as a 17-year-old, and the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund, when they beat Juventus 3-1 and Paul, who played in defensive midfield, was the Man of the Match.
He also played for Motherwell, Celtic and Livingston in his playing career and represented Scotland 40 times.
Paul Lambert – successful Norwich City manager
The 42 year-old started his management career at Livingston as player manager in 2005, and he has since managed Wycombe Wanderers, Colchester United and now Norwich City in his still short management career.
At Norwich City he has a management record of 132 games played, 67 won, 32 drawn and 33 lost, for a win percentage of 50.8% and a loss percentage of only 25%.
Mike Williamson continued:
“That’s what they’re all about – they’ve got a physical presence up front,” “It’s a formula that’s worked for them this season. It’s going to be difficult and we’ve got to make sure we all win our personal battles.”
“Me and Colo have played a lot together over the past few seasons,” “It’s just a case of getting back on track and grinding out a clean sheet.”
“Everyone was devastated to lose in the 94th minute. We worked hard as a team and tried to limit their chances.” “At times they seemed unstoppable. We felt we’d grinded it out and deserved a point.”
But it’s time to forget about the defeat at Arsenal on Monday night, and after all – tomorrow is another day – and one during which Newcastle fans can be celebrating the team’s 13th win of the season.
That would be great.
Howay The Lads!!
216 comments so far
t00ntime
Mar 17, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Comment #12 posts back
If i’m correct the players dont get fatigued as you and I wud. but there muscles tighten up making them stiffer and slower. they arent actually tired but there bodies dont get time to recorver and that can catch up to players especially if there coming from a legue which is more spread out. The main thing about a players ‘fatigue’ is that the tighter the muscles are the more likely they are to get injured (as they are easier to stretch etc) also like u said if u train and then have a days rest u shud be fine, but footballers cant do that
saturday training+match
sunday rest
monday rest
tuesday training
wednesday rest
thursday rest
friday training
that wud be 3 sessions a week, I normally hear they have five meaning there will only be one rest (likely after the match)
u can understand the muscle fatigue etc, but after a season or 4 they shud be able to play all the league games etc (round the age of 26 definatly) look at lampard gerrard shearer etc when they were 26
thats all imo though as i’m not a footballer so dont kno for sure
Dannyo
Mar 17, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Comment #2@toontime
Great response, cheers.
I would imagine that they switch between fitness training, tactical training, etc etc, things that don’t go too hard on their physique so their bodies has a chance to recover.
I train (nearly) the same thing 3 times a week, and i’ve never felt fatigue like that.
Imo, it seems to me the fatigue is mentally. If u train 4-5 times a week and then have big match where u drain yourself, u’ll probably hit a spot where u just get tired mentally. That i could understand.
At the same time, i’ve heard several players over the years say. “I never wanted to be rested, what bull is that? I wanted to play every game!”.
So i have a tough time getting to grips with a player having to be “rested” just cause they train and play regularly. But i’ve never been a footballer, altho i enjoy playing 😉
taker83
Mar 17, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Comment #3Shut the crap and play well against norwich mike.Dont make mistakes!
t00ntime
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Comment #4@dannyo never thought about it being a mental, but now that u said it, it does make sense.
At the same time though (like u also said) players always say the want to play so how can AP tell if they are mentally fatigued or not :S
also during cup games managers always say they are resting there keepers, surely thats mentaly and not physically other wise keepers arent very fit lol.
now that you have mentioned a footballers fatigue I really want to know what they mean by fatigue 😛 and how they manage to ‘get it’ because the players who are (physcially) fatigued surely u just give them a training off for a bigger rest, I dont know how to let people recorver from mental fatigue though lol
surely 50k a week shud help mentally 😛
Beattie25
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Comment #5A lot of people are critical of Williamson but I agree with them.
Pardew's fist pump
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Comment #6If young Fergy doesn’t get the nod ahead of Perch for LB, then I’d expect him to want a move in the near future. He’s too good to be behind the likes of Perch, in what is supposed to be his position – his development is being stunted. Very gifted young player.
He’s 20 now, it’s about time he was given matches.
It should be Santon RB, Fergy LB against Norwich. It won’t be though.
Beattie25
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Comment #7With regards to the match tomorrow I know that a lot of people would love to see Abied, Vuckic and Fergie but we have to be realistic and see that Pards is more into his ‘honest’ players and will look to ‘grind’ out a result.
His team is quite easy to pick for me.
————————-Krul——————————–
Perch——–Willo————Colo————Santon
HBA——–Cabaye——-Guthrie—————Guti
——————–Ba———-Cisse———————-
My team would be much different for what it’s worth:
————————-Krul—————————
Santon——–Willo——-Colo————-Fergie
————————Cabaye————————
——————Guthrie—Vuckic——————
—HBA——————————————Ba—
————————-Cisse————————–
t00ntime
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Comment #8@pardew I dont think pardew wants to build up the game (like he has) to being massive for europe and then play teenagers who if they fail might get threats and abuse, like simmo poor lad lol
only magpie of nepal
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Comment #9but tomorrow is going to be a long day for norwich backline. ben arfa and two dembas are going to rip them apart. perhaps ruddy will have to bring that ball out of net for 4 or 5 times.
only magpie of nepal
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Comment #10only the major concern for sunday is big Willo is always capable of making blunder mistakes which can cost us whole match. but again we trust on our colo to cover for willo. at other end benny will run the show.
only magpie of nepal
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Comment #11tommorow line up should be attacking.
Kurl
Santon ———Willo——Colo—————Fergie
———————–Cabaye—————————-
—————–Guthrie—-Jonas———————–
—————Ben-10——-Ba———————
Cisse
Pardew's fist pump
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:24 PM
Comment #12Also Mike Williamson is rubbish, the type of player that makes the ordinary man think: “Why did I quit playing football at 15/16? If he can get about 15k pw, then…..”
only magpie of nepal
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Comment #13but sometimes i get feeling shola should start tommorow. in case we can’t break them up (which is unlikely with benny starting) with passing game we will need big muscular shola to come and bully his way through the norwich backline.
Beattie25
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:31 PM
Comment #14In my opinion the signing of Perch, Best, Willo and Simmo were insurance signings if we didn’t get promoted or were immediatley relegated.
I think with our top flight survival almost assured next season it is time to upgrade.
davybtoon
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Comment #15Don’t agree on perch this season he’s proved he’s a good squad player he’s been solid all season apart from Norwich away but u can’t put all that on him
Fergie great player but I’ve said all along he’s a winger, but yes he shud play if santon is out
FatmanJoe
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Comment #16Mike was good against arsenal. So was Simpson. Say what you will but we were playing an in form team at their ground and I think they made two mistakes between them all game. But they were costly. I thought they were mostly solid. But then I was watching it on tv. Anyone at the ground who thought amy different?
LGFUAD21
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Comment #17Simpson has deleted his twitter account after recieving abuse from fans. This is disgraceful.
I am happy that Newcastle have had a good season so far but I dont like what it has done to the fans.
Simmo has cleared the ball off the line 6 times this season, yet our own are slamming him because he was injured at the end of the Arsenal game, possibly leading to a goal.
This is a joke. and if its bothered him enough to delete his twitter account you can be sure its gonna affect his play
Beattie25
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Comment #18Fatmanjoe
They were solid, but my problem is that we both are susseptibe to mistakes and we need better than solid.
They can do a job but IMO are not Premiership quality.
Same goes with Perch. He has been solid this season but just doesn’t have the quality.
It is not unfair, just a frank assesment of the truth. with them in the team we will never acheive what we all want which is quality football. Pardew talked earlier about Cisse not getting the service and NUFC being unable to keep the ball, these players are a major reason that this is happening.
We have good players who can control the game but the distribution of Krul, inability of Willo & Simmo, the lack of pace of Raylor and the mindless running of Guti & Ober have been our major issues this year.
Beattie25
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:57 PM
Comment #19LFGAUD
Whilst I in no way condone the abuse, you cannot say that the abuse is affecting his play because he is not gifted as a footballer.
He has cleared shots of the line yes, as all defenders do, but how many mistakes has he made that have contributed to goals conceded?
I judge the man on the 3 season in the black and white and he lacks the ability to be a first team premiership RB at a top 8 club.
I think the abuse he has recieved is cowardly, awful and totally uncalled for, but you should not use it as a shield to protect a man who is just not good enough.
FatmanJoe
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Comment #20I would think that the level of criticism
aimed at both players is unjust. Neither instill confidence (any more, although I think williamson was a star when he first joined) but how are they to improve? Is constant ‘williamson out Simpson is championship’ going to make them better players? I think not. The coaching is important – make them aware of where they went wrong etc. For me the goal scoring is the problem at the moment – we’ve conceded few goals in the last few games yet – no victories! Where’s the delivery? A defence can only do so much against constant bombardment!
Beattie25
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:08 PM
Comment #21Saying that a player is good isn’t going to make them better either.
Being a football player and recieving criticism comes with the territory and the massive wage bill and I believe as a supporter of NUFC I reserve the right to criticise and praise in equal measure.
If it was a dip in form then I would remain positive but both players have never instilled any confidence in me that they can improve.
Also to say ” we’ve conceded few goals in the last few games yet – no victories!” and then blame it on goalscoring is bizarre.
We hve scored but its conceding the goals that means we have to score more. It is the defence that has issues at the moment.
1-0 up at the Emirates is a time when we need to attack and defend stoutley but a defensive mistake allowed Arsenal back into it a minute later.
Defensive mistakes against Sunderland, Wolves, Tottenham etc… infact every game since Man Ure there has been defensive mistakes.
FatmanJoe
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:12 PM
Comment #22Silence. I would add – at the beginning of the season which defender in their right mind would have joined us that could have improved our ‘soon to be relegated side’ (according to the media). We’ve made do with what we’ve got and I don’t begrudge the odd mistake against players who don’t try. And we have a few attackers who aren’t trying or playing their best too. Any criticism at them in the same way our defenders have had to endure?
shearermania
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Comment #23this game is huge….we loose tomorrow i dont think we will get top 7….a win and we are back on for europe
FatmanJoe
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Comment #24He was good though. And seems to be taking te brunt of criticism. Yet we scored one goal. There’s not many teams who go to emirates, score one and come away happy. We weren’t good enough attacking either. Ba was absent. Is he suddenly going to have trouble on Twitter? It’s ridiculous.
Beattie25
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:22 PM
Comment #25Fatmanjoe
”which defender in their right mind would have joined us that could have improved our ‘soon to be relegated side’ (according to the media).”
That didn’t stop Cabaye, fresh from winning Ligue 1 from joining us, didn’t stop Tiote the year before either after winning the Eredivise.
My point is that Pardew obviously saw the defence as a secondary cause behind strengthening attack and midfield and we are suffering now as a cause. I am delighted with the signing and I am sure Pardew will concentrate on the defence this Summer and ship out those under performers in the team.
If you bothered to read the blog Fatmanjoe you will see that HBA, Perch Ober and Ameobi have come under a lot more criticism than Willo and Simmo.
Also Ameobi has been criticised for 11 years but still remains commited and never let it get to him, unlike Simmo I suppose.
I could forgive the ‘odd mistake’ too as everyone makes them. It’s the repetative mistakes that are unforgettable.
If it wasn’t for Krul & Colo we could’ve conceded 5 every game IMO.
Beattie25
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:25 PM
Comment #26Fatman
Ba was criticised by some and I am one of those that said he looks jaded and offered little.
However there is a difference between 1 game and constant under achieving.
Don’t get me wrong I am in no way condoning the awful abuse aimed at Simmo but I think some criticism of him on the blog is fair.
shearermania
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:32 PM
Comment #27personally dont think its the defense thats the problem….im my humble opinion its that our midfield and attack is creating absolutely nothing at the moment…how can we score when theres no chances to convert…..
Beattie25
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:36 PM
Comment #28I think each department within the team is equally to blame.
danishmag
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:40 PM
Comment #29a question regarding the home game vs. Stoke on april 21st..
Where can i buy tickets for me and the wife.. Upper east stand.. And when should i fear a “sold out” on the tickets?
check the toastie
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Comment #30Danish – dont fear game will not be sold out, it is on TV which always reduces the gate, there will be no problems getting tickets.
danishmag
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:54 PM
Comment #31check..
thanks mate..
It will be a first visit for me, and i have been a fan for 20 years..
So, can you tell me.. Where should i try and buy tickets?
check the toastie
Mar 17, 2012 at 2:11 PM
Comment #32depends how much money you have and what you want out of the day, who is going to the game? if you want to sit with the stalwart fans and get involved in a bit of singing and swearing go into the Gallowgate end, the corner close to the east stand, if you fancy a treat and just want the best view of the game, buy a platinum club ticket and sit on the halfway line.
check the toastie
Mar 17, 2012 at 2:12 PM
Comment #33Personnally would pick a different game as Stoke are awful to watch, should wait for the Man City game if possible, however that may be sold out, but just become a member and you will get a couple of tickets nee bother for man city game.
danishmag
Mar 17, 2012 at 2:45 PM
Comment #34thanks Check..
Will try for the Stoke game, as Man C is not an option..
Our daughter turns 5 that weekend.. :o)
I prefer to pay a little extra, and get some good seats, with a good view.. Was thinking the upper east..
Beattie25
Mar 17, 2012 at 2:57 PM
Comment #35Is anyone else finding this Saturday hard with the lack of Newcastle United related action?
cyprus
Mar 17, 2012 at 3:42 PM
Comment #36AP,
Remember when you publicly assessed (humiliated) Routledge to be Championship level? Grab some pop corn and, say, DVD’s of the last couple of games of Swansea.
cyprus
Mar 17, 2012 at 3:45 PM
Comment #37Danish,
Go to NUFC.co.uk, press tickets and see when the game you want will be on general sale. It helps if you register now and get yourself a number and password.
Beattie25
Mar 17, 2012 at 3:49 PM
Comment #38Cyprus
Stick to watching Swansea and posting on the board rather than plauging us with your non sensical ramblings.
Form is temporary, class is permanent. That statement works both ways
Beattie25
Mar 17, 2012 at 3:50 PM
Comment #39* their board
ToonDownSouth
Mar 17, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Comment #40Routlege is a terrible player.
2 assists don’t change that. It’s taken him about 100 PL games to get those.