Former City goalkeeper Joe Lewis revealed today just how much he is loving life at Peterborough, as well as admitting he was keeping his fingers firmly crossed as his old club aim to bag a late invite to this season's Championship play-offs.
And after a string of impressive performances for the Posh, the Norfolk-born stopper also found himself linked with Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool in this morning's Sun newspaper ? all of which could mean a hefty sum winging its way to Carrow Road after the Canaries negotiated a substantial sell-on clause when Lewis joined Posh in January.
But for the time being, Peterborough's ?400,000 record signing has put thoughts of top-flight stardom on hold and his main aim is simple – winning automatic promotion from League Two.
Posh currently sit in second place after six wins in their last seven outings and backed by chairman Darragh MacAnthony's millions, it would be a major surprise if the Cambridgeshire club didn't make the step up to England's third flight this season.
Lewis, for one, is expecting his new club to last the course and with plenty of first-team football under his belt and a regular slot in the England Under-21 squad as a reward for some outstanding displays, life is treating the City Academy product pretty well at the moment.
“I'm really enjoying life here and it's going well on the pitch,” said Lewis, speaking exclusively to myfootballwriter.com.
“We've started to pick up some good form recently and the team have been very solid, grinding out results, which maybe we didn't do when I first came here.
“We have had some big wins, such as beating Brentford 7-0 but the test is going to places like Wrexham and winning. And that's what we have been doing. We're confident at the moment.
“Our away form has been good recently and teams tend to come to London Road and spoil the game whereas when we are away from home, teams tend to be a bit more attacking, which suits us. We've got pace up front and we can pose a threat that way.
“Our aim is automatic promotion. We've got the players to do it and it's in our hands now. We're in good form going into the run-in and if we can keep the pressure on MK Dons then we can push them all the way for top spot.”
It has certainly been a rollercoaster campaign for Lewis and he recently made his second trip to A&E this season after a collision with Wrexham defender Steve Evans in a 0-0 stalemate earlier this month.
In October, whilst on loan at Morecambe, he also suffered a serious facial injury and had to have 20 stitches in a gash sustained at Rotherham; it has certainly been a baptism of fire for the Broome-born 20-year-old.
But Lewis is made of sterner stuff and after making a rapid recovery, the England Under-21 stopper is clearly relishing the rough and tumble of League Two.
“It was my second trip to A&E this season and I had to have some stitches in my lip. It's a rough league but I'm enjoying it so far, minus the knocks.
“Luckily I didn't miss any games, it was a blow to the head and it knocked me out briefly. I was touch and go for the next game on the Tuesday but I was ok in the end.”
And as for that link to two of the Premier League's superpowers, can Canary fans start dreaming of a big, fat pay cheque boosting Glenn Roeder's summer transfer coffers?
“That's the first I've heard of it!” said Lewis, obviously not a red-top reader…
“It's obviously flattering to be linked with those sorts of clubs. They are two of the biggest clubs in the country, if not the world. But we're not in the transfer window at the moment so I think we can take it with a pinch of salt.
“My main job at the moment is to get Peterborough promoted. I can't control what those clubs do. If I continue to play well then hopefully they will be sniffing around but it's just paper talk at the moment.”
Despite his diplomatic stance, Lewis looks destined to play at the very top – sooner rather than later – but he reserved his last words for his boyhood club and their promotion prospects.
Lewis spent his formative years at Colney and whilst he has now moved onto pastures new, it seems there will always be a place in his heart for the Canaries.
“It's nice to see Norwich doing so well,” he added. “I've still got a lot of friends at the club. They are still in the hunt for a place in the play-offs and I'd love to see them get in there.
“With the form they are in, if they can put the pressure on the teams above them, then I don't see any reason why they can't make it into the top six. They are still my home town club and I'll always keep an eye out for their results.”
Tom Haylett
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