By Paul Brown from the City Ground

Paul Lambert dismissed the significance of defeat to Nottingham Forest in the penultimate pre-season game, saying: "I certainly won't dwell on that."

Lambert insisted that fitness was his primary concern as he looks to get his lions roaring for the opening weekend of the campaign against West Ham on Saturday August 18.

Lambert is now looking forward to a week of training at Bodymoor Heath before an "extremely tough" final encounter with Werder Bremen in Germany.

He said: "I got the same from this as the other five friendlies.

"It's just fitness to get the lads through games. We had a game on Wednesday which was hard too and we have Bremen on Saturday.

"Listen pre-season games don't mean a great deal to me. It's all about the fitness. The lads have been excellent.

"It's hard to judge pre-season games, even when you're winning them. It's still hard then.

"It gives you that breed of confidence but I won't be dwelling on one defeat when you consider what the lads have done over the last month or so.

"We have had a lot of games and we've done really, really well. Listen we'll be okay.

"I said when I came in that nobody would thank me for winning every pre-season game and then losing twelve games or something in the league. I don't pay too much attention to pre-season games.

"That first game of the season is the thing that really matters. I can't fault the team and the way they have played. They've been really excellent."

Lambert insisted there were positives to take from the City Ground loss, namely the inclusions of Ron Vlaar following his move from Feyenoord and Darren Bent after his recovery from a thigh strain.

He added: "I thought Ron was excellent. I thought he was really commanding. I think Ron will do great for us. I know he's a very good player.

"Ron hasn't done too much regarding training but I thought he was excellent. I think he'll be a big favourite with the crowd, that's for sure.

"It's a big plus for us that Darren returned. He's a natural goalscorer and a threat. He's a little bit behind in terms of fitness but he's certainly a threat.

"That will do him the world of good."

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