AS THE Canaries get set for their game this Monday evening with Reading at Carrow Road (7.45pm), Gary Doherty says he's fully aware of just how crucial obtaining three points from the clash will be for the home side.
Speaking at the launch of City's brand new Aviva away kit, the Norwich captain told canaries.co.uk he and the rest of the squad were fully concentrating on the task in hand.
"It's been good concentrating on our training and putting our last game at Ipswich behind us. Monday's match is obviously a massive game for us now - the team were bitterly disappointed after the weekend's result but you have to put that behind you because the game on Monday's so big. We have to draw a line under that result, look ahead to our next game and realise it's an absolutely huge game for us and the Club.
"I was watching Tuesday night's Championship results on Sky Sports News, I couldn't turn it off because they were so big for us - I was delighted when Coventry got a late penalty. We need our fans more than ever, and it's one thing we have to our advantage on Monday night - we know it's going to be a full house and we know they'll be behind us 100 per cent."
LAUNCH: Captain Gary Doherty poses with Aviva staff
The City skipper is certain of what it will take for Bryan Gunn's men to earn a vital victory against the Royals: "We need to start really well and put Reading under a bit of pressure. We are good enough, especially at night games - under the lights at Carrow Road, it's always a really great atmosphere. I've spoken to the lads and everyone enjoys playing the night games.
"It's up to us - we've got to perform and give the fans something to cheer about. We got off to a good start against Watford and that got everyone going. That's what we have to do against Reading, we have to begin well and get the fans behind us. We need two wins and that's all we're thinking about, it's all or nothing now. We want to win and get this one out of the way and then concentrate fully on Charlton."
Looking ahead to the clash with Steve Coppell's side, he continued: "We've got a few experienced players in the team which is obviously going to help us. We're all aware we're in trouble, and you need that fear to perform to your best - having that fear on Monday will make everyone give 110 per cent, and the fans will give all their backing too. Hopefully together, we can get the result we want on Monday."
