It was the one moment that Peter Grant's admirable cool slipped as he looked ahead to next Monday night's crucial trip to Queen's Park Rangers.
For while Sheffield Wednesday's eighth defeat in ten games this afternoon ensured that Norwich would head for West London without the added pressure of being in the bottom two, the fact of the matter is that being in the bottom three is heaping huge demands on the manager – he has to turn City's recent slump around.
Produce an epic of Wolves away standards live in front of the Sky cameras against a managerless side without a single win to their name and something will have to give.
'Can you put the importance of this game into context for your side,” was the question from the floor. And, briefly, the guard slipped. There was a frostiness in his response.
“It doesn't change. Every game is important. Told you that from day one. And that will never, ever change. The next game is the most important one.
“If you're ten points clear, you always want to go 13 points clear. If you're at the bottom you want to be at the top. And to do that you've got to win games of football.
“The importance of them will never, ever change – every one of them is important. You're always representing the club; you're always representing yourself – so you want to be the best. And you want to win every game.
“The importance for me does not matter. I put the same importance on every game I've ever played; on every game I've ever taken part in.”
But the reality is that the Canaries simply cannot afford to slip even deeper into that relegation mire. Norwich have to play better and Grant knows that more than anyone – after all, his job may depend on it.
“I think everybody gets anxious when you're not winning games,” said the City chief, desperate to avoid the bitter inquest that would follow eight hours plus without a goal.
“The players want to play well; want to score goals; they want to be sitting top of the league. And at the end of the day the only way we can do that is by scoring goals, playing well and winning.”
There is, of course, a cart and horse argument at work here – to play well and win, Norwich have to play with greater confidence. And how do they get greater confidence? By playing well and winning.
The fact of the matter is that they need to sneak a goal from somewhere. Anywhere.
And from that starting point, then they can build – be it either in terms of confidence or results. It will all start from a goal.
“The work ethic I can't fault – can't fault. The quality? Well, as I've always said, you've got to look to improve that,” said the under-fire Canary boss, sorely needing a little smile from Lady Luck.
One that she refused to provide last Tuesday night as Chris Martin's drive pinged back off the inside of a post – having been at her teasing best with that Scunthorpe shot off the post moments earlier as Grant wobbled on that fine tightrope between success and failure.
“Hopefully, you'll get those wee breaks – that they'll go for you,” said Grant. “Like the other night when the ball hits the inside of the post for Scunthorpe and then you go up the pitch and Chris Martin smashes it off the post.
“And sometimes when things are going well for you, those things drop for you,” added Grant, left to rue the ones that have got away of late as results, confidence and belief slip through his fingers.
Events have to change as Norwich find themselves firmly entrenched in the drop zone – albeit now with that extra game in hand.
“We had that on the other Saturday; great free-kick delivery from Simon (Lappin) and Doc (Gary Doherty) could have scored – and he could have scored on umpteen occasions from set-plays – and we've not hit the target with it.”
Time is clearly starting to run out – certainly in terms of Norwich ever being in with a chance of mounting a credible play-off challenge this season. The season may only be ten games old, but already that sixth spot is seven points distant.
Sure, that might be no more than three wins away. But right, now, that looks one, almighty chasm to cross. This season could be over before it has even really begun.
Individually, too, Grant insists he can't wait for everyone to find their form; time is neither on their or his side.
“I can't stand still and wait for you,” said Grant, his patience with his goal-shy players wearing thin. When opportunity knocks, people have to take them is the manager's opinion – be that Martin away at Rochdale or the luckless David Strihavka away at Wolves.
The Czech striker, in fairness, took his chance with both hands with the winner against Crystal Palace – City's last goal, five long games ago. Handed his first Championhsip start away at Molineux, in Grant's eyes he did nothing to keep his place – hence he was back on the bench again this week.
“I look at Strihavka. Have I given him enough chances? Probably not. I look at Brown – I gave him chances and everybody's saying he's doing exceptionally well, but he needs a goal.
“And then you look at Jamie Cureton. Top goal-scorer in the division last season, but has he been playing fully fit?” said Grant, likely to be without both Doherty and Cureton for the trip to Loftus Road on Monday night as injuries continue to take their toll.
“Some of the guys have been playing when they shouldn't have been playing, but they know the numbers we've had – and they've wanted to play. And that gives you a start with their commitment to it.
“But now we need a little bit more to go with it – a little bit more nous, a little bit more bravery.”
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