City boss Paul Lambert insists that his table-toppers are not worried about anyone else, as the battle for League One honours hots up.
The Canaries gave themselves a tad more breathing space on Tuesday night with that last-gasp win over Southend.
But it’s a quick return to action with a trip to Oldham tomorrow and Lambert’s men will be looking to further increase the gap to the play-off chasing pack.
They won’t, however, be concerning themselves with any other results. This City side have to be mentally strong and focused on one thing and one thing only.
“As I’ve said before, we can only concentrate on our own club,” he told reporters this morning in his weekly pre-match bulletin. “We can’t influence other games. Yes we respect other teams but we can’t influence what goes on elsewhere.
“All we can do is win our games and hopefully we won’t be far from doing something. We will be focused to do our own job and win as many games as we can.
“But you have to be able to handle it – that’s the pressure of the game. Never read your own press because somewhere along the line it bites you.
“The only person they have to please is me but we have a terrific thing going at the moment on the pitch and with the fans. Hopefully we can do something.”
The Canaries have been through a mixed spell of late, with victories over Brighton and Southend supplemented by defeats at Millwall and at home to Southampton.
But Lambert is adamant that the spirit remains as high as it ever has – especially after the midweek late, late show.
“It’s always been the same, since day one when we came in,” he added, speaking to the media at Colney today.
“You don’t go out to do anything different; you just try and keep things the same. You can’t win every game you play but the beauty of it is they bounce back quickly and that is all you can ask.
“I’m delighted with what’s happened at the club with the lads’ contribution. From the ones who start to the lads on the bench, I get everything out of them and that’s all I can ever ask.”
In team news, the Canary chief confirmed that there were no new injury concerns after Tuesday’s gruelling Shrimpers clash.
And after both goal hero Oli Johnson and full debutant Anthony McNamee shone, he’ll have a headache of the right kind when picking his side.
Can Wes Hoolahan and McNamee play in the same eleven? Does Johnson’s match-winning form warrant a starting place?
As per usual, Lambert wasn’t giving too much away…
“Oli’s been brilliant since he came in, he is still a kid and was only playing non league football not long ago,” continued the Scot.
“The impact he has had at the club since he came in is huge. But Holty [Grant Holt] and Chris [Martin] have been incredible as well though.
“I thought Anthony was terrific on Tuesday night and he delivered a ball with excitement for the fans.
“He did great and I know what he can do. He has had to wait his time to get in the side and the rest is up to him.”
With another large City following set to make the long trek to Greater Manchester tomorrow, Lambert and Co will be desperate to secure the three points that will make their trip back to Norfolk a lot more bearable.
And the Norwich boss reiterated just how important they will be as we approach the run-in, after another noisy night at Carrow Road on Tuesday.
“I think they are brilliant. When I look back at Norwich City I will always think ‘what a crowd they have got’. I have said before that it should never be underestimated what it does for the team and the club.
“We need them, that’s for sure. It’s great because I’m told the last time they had a night like Tuesday was when Adam Drury scored in the 4-4 match whenever that was [against Middlesbrough in 2005].
“Not many people left the ground and that is proper support.”
Remember that if you are not making the trip to Boundary Park tomorrow, you can keep up to date with events via MFW. And if you’re feeling brave, why not join in? Just add a #ncfc to your message on Twitter.
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