A Big Test

Wolves take on two of the Sky Bet Championship's in-form teams as Brighton & Hove Albion chase automatic promotion and Leeds United look to cement a play-off position.

But Lambert's side approach the weekend having taken 16 points from their last eight games and the Head Coach belives the games will be a good test for Wolves.

He said: “It’s a good barometer for where we’re at – they’re great games for us.

“We always seem to perform when the bigger ones have come. I’ve got a lot of time for Chris Hughton, he’s done a great job.

“Garry’s done great at Leeds. They’re big crowds, big atmospheres, big games, everything you want.

“Big credit to Chris, it looks like they’re going to do it, bar an absolute disaster. He’s a nice guy as well.

“For us it’s a big test because they’re just about going to do it, but we have to make sure we beat them.

“We’re more than capable of doing that – if we’re on our game everyone knows we’re capable.”

Wolves return to Molineux on Friday evening having won three consecutive home games against Rotherham United, Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest.

And Lambert believes that a strong relationship with the fans is a key component of any successful side.

“Norwich had a great rapport with the supporters – the players and everyone behind the scenes – which was really successful,” explained the Head Coach.

“That’s why when I came here I’ve tried to get the supporters involved with open training.

“I don’t know if it was a bit distant beforehand, but the fans are a big part of the club and we have to use them, let the kids come in because they’re the club’s lifeblood.

“And after games too, it’s important players go to the supporters. If we can keep doing that and more – integrate everyone – it’ll be a lot better.

“It’s really nice the season ticket numbers are up. It’s going the right way. Small steps, but at it’s going the right way.

“You can see it, even on Saturday the fanbase, and it’s an expectant fanbase which I think you have to have. You need it to help you across the line in certain times."

As the club's management team prepares for an important summer, Lambert was asked about the working relationship between Jeff Shi, Kevin Thelwell, Laurie Dalrymple and himself.

He replied: “We get on well. There’s a good working relationship there and we get on well as people.

“There’s dialogue, which I always think the most successful sides have that dialogue off the pitch, everybody talks and everybody more or less goes the same direction.

“Where you get problems is when somebody says one thing and somebody does another.

“We have to be together, be strong and stay on the same road. If you do that through good and bad you’ve got a better chance of being successful.

“You will come through things and come through adversity and pick up the good things at the end of it. That’s a really big factor for me."