City boss Bryan Gunn was this afternoon quietly enjoying life far from the madding Norfolk crowd as his battered Canary squad continued to put last Saturday's nightmares behind them ahead of this weekend's trip to Exeter City.
Tuesday night's second-half Carling Cup cruise against Yeovil Town has helped soothe some still-raw wounds – as has the prospect of entertaining Sunderland in the next round courtesy of that 4-0 success.
But it is clear that this week's extended stay in the West Country – City have based themselves for four nights in Exeter – is just what the doctor ordered as the Norfolk club look to swiftly recover from their worst-ever home league defeat and that 7-1 humiliation by Colchester United.
“I think this break is all helping,” said Gunn this afternoon, as the club embarked on its second pre-season 'tour' of the summer; only this one is rather more for real than the three-game foray into Scotland last month.
“I'm sure there's bits and bobs in the Press back in Norfolk – and we're not seeing any of that; it's just a chance for us all to recover our confidence – confidence that was dented last Saturday.
“And we're only looking forward now; just focussing all our thoughts on the game against Exeter City.”
In fairness, the Canaries could afford to look back at events at Huish Park where their four-goal haul after the interval started to right a few of the innumerable Us wrongs.
The fact that their cup success came with a hat-trick from newly-arrived Grant Holt would also have lifted the mood; he, certainly, looks the part. The first time since the days of Iwan Roberts that the club have boasted a target man with the kind of mobility that Dion Dublin never quite offered. Not at 36.
Personally, of course, it has been another difficult week at the office for the Canary chief himself; one – he admitted – of total extremes; as that crushing 7-1 reverse was followed by one of Norwich's more comfortable cup outings in recent years.
To win at such a canter, away from home, against a lesser-fancied team, playing in what to all intents and purposes was a non-league ground is not one of Norwich's specialities; usually it's a recipe for yet another first round disaster.
But, in fairness, they came away from Huish park with honour intact and belief… well, if not wholly restored, in rather better shape than it was come five o'clock on Saturday when fury and poison descended once more on Carrow Road.
“It has been a case of black and white; chalk and cheese,” admitted Gunn, as he sensed a new mood in the camp.
“Tuesday's result has obviously helped; obviously the momentum that we've gained from that has got to continue; it's got to roll on,” he said..
“But the players have been lifted by the result and there's a good feeling around the camp; they're nice and bubbly around the hotel. And you can see new partnerships and new friendships developing. Which is all good.
“We've had the pre-season tour to Scotland and the chance for players to bond there, but there's still a lot of new faces in the squad and is still takes people time to bed in and these extra few days away together all helps – particularly being away from things in and around the Press.”
Injury-wise and Gunn was also able to report a “clean bill of health” with both Adam Drury and Matty Gill expected to re-join training ahead of this weekend's trip to St James' Park.
Gill was the more serious of the two; the City midfielder missing training with a combination of a dead leg and a slight knock to his ankle.
“Adam's actually trained with us today – he's had no reaction. And Matty Gill will train with us tomorrow. He won't want to miss the game against his former club – that's just the kind of character that he is.”
The other absentee from Tuesday night – Welsh international midfielder Owain Tudur Jones – is also back in the fold after his trip to Montenegro with Wales.
“I think they got into Cardiff at about two o'clock and Owain got here to the hotel at six o'clock – and trained with us this morning,” reported Gunn.
“So I think we've got a clean bill of health – which is a nice position to be in.”
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