PAUL LAMBERT knows fans in the Stoke area were hardly doing cartwheels when he was named the new boss.
The Scot accepts he does have an image problem, yet he will be happy to remain away from the spotlight if he keeps the Potters in the top flight.
In his three-and-a-half years at Norwich and Aston Villa in the Premier League, he spent a total of 59 days in the bottom three and knows what it takes to survive.
Lambert, 48, who left Wolves last summer, is aware he was not the popular choice in the Potteries but feels he already has the supporters onside.
He is confident of a victory today against Brighton after four points in his first three games.
Asked if his dour image was a problem, he said: “I guess it is a fair point. There is a certain perception about me.
“I have never really been one for the limelight. But I absolutely love football. I love every day of it. I love seeing the joy of the fans.
“They are so important and I want them to come to Stoke and enjoy themselves. Already, they have been brilliant. I want to give people a lift.
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“At first people were saying ‘Why have we gone for Paul Lambert? Why have we not gone for Carlo Ancelotti?’
“But I got the job. If I was 50th or 500th in line, I don’t care. I think fans may forget what I did at Wycombe and also Norwich, where I took them from 23rd in League One, got back-to-back promotions and finished 12th in the top flight.
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“I went to Aston Villa and thought I did the job in difficult circumstances as the money was no longer there.
“I know the perception is that I did not do a very good job.”
Lambert turned down approaches from Sheffield Wednesday, Hull and Union Berlin before succeeding Mark Hughes last month.
He added: “What the club has achieved with two managers in 12 years indicates the stability. They are great people to work for.
“Mark did a great job and for whatever reason — and these things happen — they found themselves where they are.
“We’ve just changed a few things on and off the pitch.”
One of Lambert’s big tasks is to turn around the fortunes of flop Saido Berahino.
The £15million ex-West Brom striker, 24, has still to notch a goal for the Potters.
Lambo added: “In training he shows what a good finisher he is. But I’d say he is not fit enough for 90 minutes.
“Young players can have distractions and he needs to settle down and live the life of a footballer.
“But he definitely has that natural talent.”
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