Time to change line-up rules..

ON A glorious spring day at Norwich’s Colney training ground, Paul Lambert basked in the sunshine and reflected on promotion to the Premier League.

- Chris Dunlavy

It was May 2011, and his team had sealed the deal with a game to spare. Shortly before a jovial briefing wrapped up, the Scot was asked if he wanted to finish with a victory against mid-table Coventry.

“I honestly couldn’t care if we lose 46-0,” he shrugged. “Those players have been partying for goodness knows how long – and I’d have done the same if I could still play the game. They deserve it.”

Reminded that EFL rules prohibited the deliberate weakening of a starting XI, Lambert’s response was withering. “We’ve earned the right to play who we want,” he said. “It’s none of their f***ing business.”

Vincent Kompany is a rather less forthright character, but even the mild-mannered Belgian must have reached for the expletives when Huddersfield kicked up a stink about his team selection against Reading two weeks ago.

The Terriers complained to the EFL after Kompany - whose Burnley side won promotion three weeks ago - made six changes for the trip to the Madejski.

A 0-0 draw saw Reading, in 22nd, move to within a point of Huddersfield in the battle to avoid relegation.