Paul Lambert: Dani Pacheco debut as good as they get Michael Bailey

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk

@michaeljbailey

Norwich City boss Paul Lambert salutes the Carrow Road crowd following his side's 6-0 win over Scunthorpe United. Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2011

Paul Lambert believes the debut of young Spanish loanee Dani Pacheco was as good as he has seen.

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The Liverpool and former Barcelona youngster was too hot to handle as Norwich City ran relegation-haunted Scunthorpe United ragged at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon, hammering the 10-man visitors 6-0.

Hat-tricks from Grant Holt and second-half substitute Simeon Jackson decided matters for second place City, while Pacheco’s performance will have eased the sight of Wes Hoolahan limping out with a hamstring injury.

That could mean Hoolahan, who was also on top form against the Iron, is a major doubt for next weekend’s mouth-watering clash with automatic promotion rivals Swansea City in Wales.

“I thought from the off we were outstanding,” said Lambert, who was delighted with the debut of on-loan Liverpool star Dani Pacheco.

“The tempo of the game was great, the new lads have certainly given the place a lift and the way we played was excellent.

“I thought his debut was as good as I’ve seen. I thought he was brilliant, he lifted the crowd.

“The hype about him was over the top. People thought he was just going to come in here like Lionel Messi. He’s only a 20-year-old kid learning the game, but I thought his performance was fantastic.”

As for Scunthorpe manager Alan Knill, taking charge of his first game since leaving Bury on Thursday, the defeat did not knock his sense of humour.

““I’ve been in one day, watched training Friday and it confirmed what I thought,” he said. “When a team is second from bottom, you know there are some problems and I knew that when I came.

“I think we can definitely be better than that. It’s extremely difficult with 10 men against a really good side, but the good thing is I’ve only got (Championship leaders) QPR next Saturday.”