City caretaker boss Jim Duffy this morning admitted that he was ?thrilled? by the opportunity that now lies at his feet, but equally insisted that Saturday's Championship clash with Bristol City was about far, far more than him.
The 48-year-old former Dundee and Hibs boss is now firmly the centre of attention after last week's departure of Peter Grant.
And while the Canary board continue to decide where their next managerial move lies, Duffy has the chance to further his own cause by returning Norwich to winning ways. He has, in fairness, already made his mark on the dressing room by throwing John Hartson into the mix.
Should the strapping Welsh international batter the Robins into submission this weekend, then Duffy could claim an early PR success. Hosting his first pre-match Press conference at Colney, Charlie Nicholas' boyhood pal clearly lacks little by way of Glasgow grit and determination.
?I'm absolutely thrilled to be in charge – there's no doubt about that,? said Grant's former No2.
?I feel privileged and delighted about it,? he added. And after various management spells north of the border, this was all nothing new.
?I've done it a few times, so I'm not here biting my nails. But it's important that the guys go and try and perform – and that's all we're trying to do.
?And it's not about what it means to me – I'm delighted about it and I thrive on that responsibility – but at the end of the day, it's about what happens on the pitch on Saturday. That's what's important. That's what I'm interested in,? he said.
?It's not about who sits in this chair – it's about getting confidence back in the team; getting the belief back in the players. And the only way that you can do that is by getting results.?
Duffy's heavy workload will also include an appearance at this evening's Annual General Meeting at Carrow Road in which one or two pointed questions may be asked of a club now sat in the bottom three of the Championship and without a goal to their name in the last nine hours of football.
Whether or not the Canaries have more than a brass farthing to rub together going forward may be one for the Turners to answer as the Central Trust pair make their first appearance in front of the shareholders.
?At this moment in time it's all about the game on Saturday; the game against Bristol City; about the result and the performance,? said Duffy, who confirmed that he would be ?delighted? to be offered the full-time role if the board's quest to find Grant's successor did end back at his door.
On previous form – or rather that of Martin Hunter in the wake of Nigel Worthington's bitter exit – the caretaker is given the chance to stake his claim in the formal round of interviews, albeit sometimes with the odds heavily stacked against him if the directors are intent on a clean sweep and a new broom.
?The directors have got their job to do – that can go in the background a little bit. And it's vital for the club and how they move forward. But I think all supporters would agree that Saturday is the No1 focus for them at this moment in time.?
It was almost with a reluctant heart that Duffy asked the supporters to stand by their team after such a miserable time of late – a message, you suspect, that the board will repeat at the AGM tonight.
?I know supporters get fed up sometimes of being asked to rally round the team and stuff like that – they get it time and time again. Particularly when you've had ups and downs over maybe the last 18 months. Highs and lows,? said Duffy.
?But I think it's easier to support a team when they're successful. It's more difficult to support when times are tough. And we still need that – that support; that vocal encouragement.
?Because if players are a little bit nervous and a little bit tentative it just makes an unbelievable difference. And when you've played the game you realise how big a difference it makes when you've got that behind you.?
As usual the traditional clutch of bumps and knocks besets his best-laid plans – Gary Doherty is a certain non-starter having disappeared for a scan on his groin strain; Jamie Cureton resumed training yesterday following his foot problem; Julien Brellier is definitely out having ?rolled on his ankle? in the reserve derby game at Portman Road on Monday night.
All eyes, however, will be on the new-boy in town – Hartson. The smart money is on him partnering David Strihavka up front.
Tellingly, Duffy pointed to Harston's impact off the pitch as much as on it – he is, you sensed, one of those big dressing room characters that Norwich have sorely lacked of late.
On it, and City's caretaker chief is clearly hoping to knit in a player that can drag the Canaries' stuttering midfield into the game – to link play from one end of the pitch to the other.
?I think he's the type of player that brings others into the game; his ball retention is good; his link-up play is good; he's got those types of strengths. His physical presence is important.
?And I just think we need that at this moment in time,? said Duffy, arguably more concerned as to how the ball actually gets to Hartson's feet or head than what he can actually do with it once it arrives.
?It's more to do with the supply – if they don't get the service, then they can't show their talent. We still need to be solid at the back – and that's an area where the team has been disciplined and good and strong.
?We need to retain that. But we need to move on to the next stage – and that next stage is taking a little bit more risk.?
And if young J Smith is the man that is willing to take that risk from midfield then something might, just, finally click.
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