Croft urges the faithful to keep playing their part to perfection as City get a bit of belief going

Canary favourite Lee Croft today said his thanks for the long and heart-felt standing ovation that greeted his latest, late exit at Carrow Road this weekend – proof, once more, that everyone loves a trier.

For while the 23-year-old may be out of contract in the summer and free, therefore, to walk away on a Bosman once he celebrates his 24th birthday in June, there is little or no sign of him slacking on the job; of him giving up on the Canary cause.

Tis the way to win friends and influence people… as another City full-house proved with the warmth of their appreciation for another whole-hearted effort in the midst of City's relegation fight.

“It's brilliant,” he said, in the wake of this weekend's 1-0 win over Plymouth.

“I got another one the other night as well – I think everyone knows that I've got a good rapport with the fans. And I think that if you give your all for them, they appreciate that.

“And it was another great game today and we're pleased, one, for ourselves and, two, for giving them something to cheer about.”

They will, he stressed, have a crucial role to play over the next seven weeks or so as this season hits the final furlong; goes into 'squeaky bum' time, in the words of Bryan Gunn's long-time mentor, Sir Alex Ferguson.

“They are our 12th man at times – and if they can be like that from now until the end of the season, then I'm sure we'll win more games at home than we don't.

“And that's going to be massive for us when it comes to staying in the league.”

The City winger certainly wasn't under-playing the significance of this weekend's win as the Canaries hauled their sorry ass out of the bottom three courtesy of David Mooney's 53rd minute strike.

The fact that the Norfolk club were now out of the drop zone was helped by results elsewhere, granted. But few of their nearest and relegation dearest can boast three clean sheets in their last four outings. And the nine points that, likewise, have come in tow.

“Massive,” said Croft, quizzed as to just how important that win may prove.

“We had a great result on Tuesday night and it was imperative that we took it in to this game today,” he explained afterwards.

“And we've done that – we've put the performance in and got the three points. And now we've got a good week to prepare for Saturday up at Birmingham.”

Who knows what that may bring. All concerned at the top of the Championship table appear in the midst of something of a wobble and with at least three of City's attacking options playing with the kind of 'No fear!' attitude that makes a manager's job so much easier, hope continues to spring eternal.

The week's biggest question mark comes in centre-midfield where Darel Russell will start the first of a two-match ban following this weekend's second red card of the season.

Whether that will then, in turn, herald the return of ex-skipper Mark Fotheringham to the first team fold will, no doubt, occupy many a messageboard hour between now and next Saturday.

The Three Musketeers will, inevitably, be centre stage again after their heroics of late. Their sudden and timely run of form will also enable Gunn to keep Carl Cort safely wrapped up in cotton wool. And with a two-week break to then follow, he can keep the six-foot four-inch target man up his sleeve for the final, six-game run in.

Way out wide, Croft appears to be enjoying the change of style that the new-look Gow-Mooney pairing brings.

“They do give you a different dimension up there than what Corty does – he's a target and a real handful,” he explained.

“But then you've got Mooney, Cody [McDonald] and Gow who get on the ball and fancy a little dribble – or get in behind. So it's good to have those different options – and it does give us different options going into the games.”