Ruddy hails 'fantastic' Lambert

Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy claims fans should not bear any resentment toward manager Paul Lambert if he leaves for Aston Villa. The Canaries have refused to accept the Scot's resignation, but Villa are ready to pay the compensation demands and are hopeful of appointing him as manager. Lambert took over at Norwich in 2009 and has led them from League One to the Premier League and Ruddy feels his work should not be forgotten should he leave. "I only know as much as everyone else, what I've read in the papers and seen on the tv, but I think if he goes then every Norwich fan can feel a great satisfaction at the position he's left the club in," Ruddy, who was ruled out of Euro 2012 through injury, said on Radio Five Live. "I don't think his work should be underestimated at all. "I've thoroughly enjoyed working with him and I hope it can continue, but if he does move on he's left us in a fantastic position considering where we were when he took over. "I've been working with him for a few years now and and I've enjoyed every second of it. "He's a fantastic man and a great manager to work with. "And if he does end up leaving then I think everyone should take a step back because what he's done for Norwich is nothing short of a miracle really." Asked if he could understand fans wondering why Lambert would leave for a club who finished just two points above the relegation zone, he said: "I can understand people's view point on that, but you don't know what goes on behind closed doors, you don't know what's been said or the promises that have been made or anything like that."