By Paul Brown

Paul Lambert is relaxed about the season ahead, insisting there are "country miles" still to go.

In the wake of the 1-0 loss at Fulham, Lambert stressed that now is not the time to mope but instead to press ahead with the business of winning football matches.

Lambert believes his players are "mentally strong" and will turn things around in the coming days and weeks ahead.

He also paid tribute the fans who travelled to the capital and called for everyone of claret and blue persuasion to stick together.

He said: "We've got to push on. There's no time to mope. If you start feeling sorry for yourself then you get problems.

"Some of the football we are playing at the moment is pleasing. It's not like we're struggling all over the park, we're playing some really decent football.

"Oh for heaven's sake, there are miles to go, country miles to go. But we do need to start turning these performances into wins.

"I'm not overly concerned. Yes, I want to win, like everybody else, and the crowd want to win.

"But I don't think it will be long before we turn performances into results, I really don't.

"It's important that the lads keep their heads up and I told them: 'Don't let your heads go down because you will take knocks along the way. But you'll bounce back from it'.

"It's how you bounce back from it that's most important.

"I think the lads will be fine, I think they're mentally strong enough to handle it.

"They've played in front of big crowds before and next week we're at home. There will be a big crowd again there to watch it so we'll be fine.

"Our crowd were brilliant at Fulham. They were right behind us. We've just got to make sure everybody sticks together.

"They were excellent. But they have been all season. I have nothing but praise for them.

"I understand they will be disappointed to lose like everyone else here but I can see a lot of good things."

Lambert revealed it's a waiting game with both Ciaran Clark [knee] and Nathan Baker [ankle].

Clark missed the game at Fulham due to injury while Baker limped off in the second half.

Lambert said: "I don't know how bad it is with Nathan. We'll just have to wait and see how he is.

"He did ever so well in the game. I thought he did great with some of his blocks.

"Ciaran hurt his knee which is a blow so we'll have to wait and see how he is as well.

"I don't know yet if they will be able to be involved next weekend. But we've got a full week to see how they are."

Make sure you're here to back the boys against Norwich City.