Lambert took over at Carrow Road in August, just two games into the season

Norwich boss Paul Lambert insists that he did not influence the late decision to call off their match at Walsall - less than an hour before kick-off.

Walsall chief executive Roy Whalley claimed "it was only after pressure from the Norwich manager" that referee Matt Hayward postponed the game.

But Lambert told BBC Radio Norfolk: "If I could get a game called off I'd part the sea as well I think.

"But the referee's the one that makes that decision, nobody else," he added.

A number of Norwich City fans had earlier called BBC Radio Norfolk expressing concern.

"Somebody told me some of the Walsall stewards said I had it called off," added Lambert. "But I think that was a bit naughty what they were doing."

More than 2,000 Canaries fans had made the four-hour trip from Norfolk to the Bescot Stadium, only to be told the game was off when they arrived. And Lambert had total sympathy for them.

"I feel for the fans," he said, "there's absolutely no doubt.

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"We didn't want to travel this far ourselves only to be told an hour before kick-off that the game was going to be off."

City had some tired legs after their Boxing Day win over Millwall, while Walsall were well rested after their own trip to Bristol Rovers 48 hours earlier had been postponed.

But Lambert remains adamant that, however convenient the decision was, it was not up him or his opposite number Chris Hutchings.

"The referee came up and told myself and Chris that the players' safety was a concern," added Lambert. "And that he didn't want the game to go ahead.

"His view was that you'd be running on to soft ground, then on to hard ground which is a potential problem with injury."

In a statement on Walsall's own club website, Whalley said: "The referee first inspected the pitch at 11.30 and was satisfied that it was playable.

"It was only after pressure from the Norwich manager that he had another look and eventually called the game off less than an hour before kick-off."

The Walsall-Norwich game has now been rearranged for Tuesday 12 January (1945 GMT).

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