City youngster Michael Spillane might not have friends in high places – yet. But he certainly has got friends in the right kind of places as Canary keeper David Marshall backed the 18-year-old's claims for a second successive start.
The two, of course, could find themselves separated by little more than 20 yards if the Republic of Ireland international is asked to step into Gary Doherty's shoes should the Canary centre-half fail a late fitness test on his groin.
Otherwise, he could continue alongside Darel Russell in the heart of that Norwich midfield after riding rough-shod over one or two Premiership reputations at Eastlands on Tuesday night. It was that which caught Marshall's eye.
“I've been really impressed with Spillane ever since I've come down here,” said the former Celtic keeper, long since settled into his new surroundings.
“I think he's been really good and I think he deserved his chance.”
A chance, by all accounts, that he pretty much took with both hands as he sat slightly deep, got his football on the ball and looked suitably unhurried in possession.
There will, of course, be one caveat to that – that it is the nature of the Premiership beast to allow people, particularly, in the back two-thirds of the pitch, to be unhurried. It is never quite the bare-knuckle street-fight the Championship is. But then both boys have always had a lively tackle in their locker; they are more robust than most.
“I thought he (Spillane) was outstanding – especially in the first-half and, hopefully, we can now take that into the Championship which is more important for us.”
It was that classic, 'No fear!' thing that all teenagers tend to possess.
“I just think that he hasn't got too much respect for anybody,” said Marshall, who in his own teenage years probably carried that same aura about him – hence the night in which he kept La Liga's finest at bay in the Nou Camp.
“As you've seen on Tuesday night, he's got no respect for Manchester City – he just wants to get on the ball and he'll tackle anybody. As I say, I just thought he played really well and he'll give the manager a dilemma for Saturday, I'm sure.”
Once again City's best-laid plans have been hit by both injuries and suspensions – Darren Huckerby (ankle) and Adam Drury (back) remain big concerns; the two skippers, the stand-in Dion Dublin and the regular Jason Shackell remain suspended following their recent red card woes.
None of which helps Peter Grant's increasingly urgent quest for a consistent team selection that, invariably, tends to lead to more more consistent performances and results.
“You've just got to get on with it – injuries you can't do anything about; the sendings off we need to have a look at. And I think Doc (Gary Doherty) has picked up an injury so we don't actually know who's going to be playing on Saturday yet.
“But we've seen the young boys come in the other night and do well – and whoever comes in will just have to get the job done because it is a massive game Saturday.”
Even by Norwich's standards, there is much resting on this weekend's game. The presence of the TV cameras and that late, 5.20pm kick-off time, add an extra edge to the game – and that's before anyone starts to mull over where the wrong result would leave the Norfolk club in the grander scheme of things.
Up to their necks in the proverbial would be one view; with plenty of work to do another; praying that the returning Jimmy Smith does all that he says he should on the side of the tin, a third.
Either way, the Canaries need to make home advantage count – both tomorrow against the bottom-of-the-table Owls and again on Tuesday night against Championship new-boys Scunthorpe United after those three, miserable results on the road.
“It'll be good to be back at Carrow Road – they've been three tough away games as well and disappointing results,” added the City No1. “So, hopefully, we can get back to winning ways at home on Saturday.”
He certainly isn't looking over his shoulder at all – it is, still, just seven games into the new season. Everything, in theory, remains up for grabs.
“Am I looking at the table? No, not at all – I'm just getting on with it, game by game at the moment. And it's very early – I think it is only seven league games gone,” said Marshall, with no-one yet muttering the dread phrase 'The first six-pointer of the season…'
“I think it's going too far to say: 'It's a must-win game…' We could lose it, go on a run and win the next ten – so I think it's pointless saying that. But it is very important and we should be looking for three points from the game,” said Marshall.
“As I say, we've got two massive home games and what looks a winnable game at QPR, so we'll just have to go on from here and take each game as it comes.
“We've got a few boys injured, but I don't think we've got any excuses – we're playing at home; Sheffield Wednesday got their first win at the weekend so they'll be confident coming here but the next three are massive – and we've just got to concentrate on Saturday, first and foremost.”
And does that late kick-off make any difference at all, as the traditionally camera shy Canaries prepare to make their TV debut this season?
“It's early in the season so it's not as if we're looking at people's results. It is a live Sky game – so there is more pressure on us as well – but I don't think the timing of the match is too important.”
The result, however, certainly is.
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