Lambert confident Canaries will stay on their perch

PAUL LAMBERT is confident Norwich’s hunger to stay in the Barclays Premier League will carry them on to bigger and better things in 2012.

Canada striker Simeon Jackson came off the bench to head an equaliser deep into stoppage-time against Fulham at Carrow Road on Saturday, which kept the Canaries perched comfortably in mid-table.

Norwich head to QPR today to tackle another of the promoted clubs who have been punching above their weight to stay out of the relegation zone.

Lambert — who hopes to bring in some new players during the January transfer window — feels the displays over the first 19 games have given the Norfolk club a real fighting chance of extending their stay among the elite.

“The lads have just carried on with what they did over the past two-and-a-half years,” said Lambert, who has overseen successive promotions since taking over at Carrow Road.

“They have spirit, with an enthusiasm and hunger for the game. Their ability is great.

“We are a young side, the average is about 23, and we are certainly making a fight of it, that is for sure.

“Now we have to turn it all over and go again on Monday, so it is relentless.”

Lambert added: “Every match is hard — I have never seen an easy game.

“I do not expect this one coming to be easy either, but we are doing really fine at the moment.

“There is a long, long way to go, we are halfway through it, and we will do everything we can to stay in the league.”

Norwich, beaten 2-0 at home by Tottenham on December 27, were made to pay for a sloppy start on Saturday when Portugal striker Orlando Sa fired Fulham ahead after just six minutes.

Clint Dempsey came close to adding a second before half time, but his point-blank header struck the bar.

Lambert changed things around at the break, bringing on leading scorer Grant Holt which gave his side an additional presence in attack.

However, it was the diminutive statue of Canada striker Jackson, thrown on for the final 20 minutes, who got the telling touch, nodding home an excellent centre from Elliott Bennett with only seconds of the five minutes of stoppage time remaining.

The 24-year-old Jamaican-born frontman has found his chances limited this season, also netting from the bench in the 2-2 draw at Wolves just before Christmas.

It was Jackson’s fine run of form at the end of the last campaign which helped secure Norwich’s promotion, his goal at Portsmouth making sure of the runners-up spot ahead of Cardiff.

Lambert has nothing but praise for the player’s attitude and contribution.

“Simeon is a terrific professional, never lets his head go down, and I am delighted for him.”