Long-serving City defender Adam Drury is expecting more of the same as Millwall head for Carrow Road on Boxing Day.
Like Huddersfield Town before them, the Lions arrive in Norfolk on a decent run of form and showing spirit a-plenty after that 4-4 draw with south London neighbours Charlton Athletic.
In the end, however, the Terriers’ resistance crumbled in the face of a magnificent second-half onslaught from the home side as Paul Lambert’s Canaries racked up their seventh straight home win courtesy of that 3-0 success.
The faithful will be expecting a repeat performance come Boxing Day with Lambert’s half-time words still ringing in the players’ ears.
“The gaffer just said that these are the kind of games that we’ve got to grind out if we want to get out of this league,” said Drury, now into his eighth season in Canary colours.
It helps, of course, to have someone like Wes Hoolahan toying with the opposition; his second-half performance did much to sweep Town aside. Once again, Norfolk will expect come Boxing Day.
“It’s great to have someone like him in the side,” said Drury.
“He’s not too clever when he’s dribbling by his own 18-yard box in the first-half, but when he’s doing it in their third of the pitch and he gets on the ball then, yes, he creates so many chances for the lads.
“He’s a dream to play with.”
Much like Darren Huckerby was, in fairness.
A menace at either end of the pitch whenever he – like Wesley – decided the best thing to do was to play their way out of trouble.
In fairness, the defensive Class of 09 is proving more than up to the task in the third tier of League One football.
As much as the likes of Hoolahan, Grant Holt and Chris Martin are scoring goals for fun, at the back Norwich are picking up clean sheet after clean sheet. Put together and it is little wonder that they are a genuine force to be reckoned with this season.
“It’s a bonus for us to have them three up front and then if we can obviously keep a clean sheet at the back then it gives us a platform to build on.
“At the moment, its all a success – so, hopefully, it keeps going.”
The buzz, said Drury, was back; the Canary Nation was feeling good about itself again after all-too long looking daggers at eachother.
“There’s a big buzz about the place,” he admitted, as Lambert works his managerial magic on Carrow Road.
Success on the pitch will always help paper over any cracks that lie off it.
“If we can just keep on picking up points away from home, then hopefully that will keep that gap closing on the top – that’s what our aim is.”
Victory against Millwall would certainly keep the pressure up on the top two; neither can afford a festive stumble with City firmly snapping at their heels.
“It is going to be quite a game on Boxing Day,” said Drury.
“But at the minute whenever we play anybody, they seem to raise their game.
“Especially at home – we’re the team to beat. Our fans are fantastic every week; a lot of teams come here and try and beat us because at the minute we’re a big scalp.”
Individually, this season is – at last – proving one to be savoured.
The one-time Posh trainee has had more than his fair share of injury problems over the last couple of seasons.
This time round, however, and all is fitting nicely into place as he continues to make that left-back slot his own.
“I’m thoroughly enjoying it,” he said.
“After a couple of seasons for myself with injury and stuff like that – and, obviously, the team not doing so well, it’s nice to have a bit of positivity for a change.”
He was, he said, feeling as good as he has done for a long, long while. No need for Santa to come armed with a new pair of knees just yet.
“I feel as good as I have done for a long while – it’s just a case of playing regular games.
“I’ve probably played as many games this season already as I have done in two seasons total so I’m feeling fantastic.
“And, obviously, when you’re winning it makes it a lot better!”
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