Canary captain Grant Holt has admitted that City have to transfer their home form into away points this weekend as they prepare for the long trek north to Carlisle.
Despite some encouraging performances on the road, coupled with some thumping Carrow Road victories in the last few weeks, City have only recorded one away league win this season – a 2-0 victory at Hartlepool.
And Holt – who is battling to be fit for the clash after picking up a knock in the 5-1 Bristol Rovers triumph – warned that they have to start picking up more than the odd point when away from Norfolk.
“We want three points from every game. It doesn’t matter if it’s at home or away,” he told the press at Colney yesterday.
“We know we’ve been away from home, produced good performances and not always got our reward so hopefully we can go up there and finally get what we deserve.
“We’re doing well at the moment and I think winning games gives you that belief. Obviously we’ve seen on Tuesday [in the JPT win at Gillingham] what a good squad we’ve got.
“A few of us who were injured were not there but the lads went down there and did a great job – that’s another win and we’ve just got to keep it going now.”
One of the major plus points of 2009-10 has been the emergence of City’s young guns. With injuries continuing to cause boss Paul Lambert problems, they are certainly proving their worth after being thrust into action.
And Holt – City’s top scorer this season with nine goals already – admitted they were a key component in the Canaries’ recent revival.
“We’ve got some good young lads and when it comes to training a lot of them are involved with us, which is great for the Club and great for the youth setup to see all the players coming through.
“With Korey [Smith]playing in the team and Luke [Daley] having a good run, the other younger lads are looking at that and thinking ‘I want to be doing that’ and obviously the manager doesn’t worry about how old you are, if you’re good enough you’re in.”
With this weekend’s trip being a return to his hometown club, Holt will certainly be busting a gut to play a full part at Brunton Park.
He limped off in last weekend’s Pirates thrashing but admitted yesterday that there was no long-term damage.
If you were a betting man, you’d lay decent money on him leading out his side come 3pm tomorrow – especially with members of the Holt clan watching on.
“We’ve had a little look at it this morning and had a run-out but hopefully everything is fine,” said the Canary skipper ahead of training on Thursday morning.
“I am sure there will be a few friends and family in the crowd giving me a bit of stick but that’s just part of football. I’m just looking to go up there, do my job and get us three points.”
City certainly haven’t been dealt much lady luck under Lambert and as well as Holt, Darel Russell and Jon Otsemobor are also doubts for tomorrow.
Add longer-term casualties Owain Tudur Jones, Matt Gill and Michael Spillane to the fact that Declan Rudd and Stephen Hughes will be away on international duty and the Scot will have limited options at his disposal yet again.
“There’s been a few knocks but I think that comes as part and parcel with the way we’re playing at the moment,” Holt continued.
“The lads are all getting stuck in and working hard for the team but I’m sure a lot of the lads will be fighting to get out of the treatment room before the weekend.”
Tom Haylett
Remember that if the long trip to Cumbria is a few miles too many, you can keep up to date with events from Brunton Park via the Backchat service on MFW.
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