NORWICH boss Bryan Gunn says a winning performance against Colchester tomorrow (3pm) would set the standards for the Canaries' 2009-10 campaign.
As City prepare to kick off the season against Paul Lambert's men, Gunn said his side were ready for a tough battle at Carrow Road.
"We've watched them on a number of occasions and we're looking forward to a tough fixture. They brought in some new signings to the end of last season, Paul Lambert was trying to rebuild his squad then and he's been buying wisely throughout the summer.
"They've got new faces in and around the squad, and I'd expect them to be challenging for one of the top six spots come the end of the season. They'll be competitive, strong and physical - we know what to expect and we have to stand up to that. We want to win the battles on field and then with the help of supporters, get on top of the game and take our chances when they come. It's a tough fixture for an opening game, but certainly it's an opportunity to set down the marker.
"For any team who want to achieve anything in any league, you need to get off to a good start to the season. Although there have been times where teams have been bottom at Christmas and then got through to winning. If you look at the majority of other teams which have won or got up through the play-offs, they'll be in or around the top six for the majority of the season."
He continued: "Our ambition is to get off to a good start, remain solid in the middle section and finish the campaign off well. If we can set down a marker in the first game of season, it will show our intentions - certainly at Carrow Road, we need to win the majority of games and gain as many points as possible away from home."
With bookmakers's odds suggesting City will finish in 2nd spot behind favourites Leeds United, Gunn said it was down to the Canaries to live up to such high expectations: "I'm happy we're considered as one of the top teams in the division, but it's up to us to go and prove that on the pitch.
"I'm sure a lot of Norwich fans will have a flutter. We feel we have a squad which is more than able to compete in League One and we hope to prove that over the course of the next eight months. I would expect teams will come here and enjoy the surroundings, it will be one of their big games.
"A packed house at Carrow Road is an attractive venue to come and play - we just need to make it as intimidating and as difficult as possible when they do come here. We need to get on top of games early, get the crowd behind us and then hope we can finish the job off."
With a bumper crowd of around 25,000 expected at tomorrow's game, questions were put to Gunn to find out his thoughts on the City support. "It's incredible - I think it's one of the biggest numbers for a first game since the mid seventies," he said.
"It means there'll be pressure on the players, but it shows you if we get things right the fans are there to back us. What they've seen during pre-season and from other positive signs over the summer - the new signings, the stability, the new Board - hopefully there will be a chain reaction from that and it will continue to be positive, with those sell-out crowds continuing.
"We also know when we go away from home, we have a very generous travelling support as well. The levels of support for Norwich City are incredible. The season ticket sales have been fantastic and there have been a lot of casual sales too - we hope we can continue to sell those and perhaps persuade them to become season ticket holders during the season. It was an attraction for the players who have come here, to play in front of those crowds at Carrow Road is a selling point we have to offer."
The only tickets currently remaining to home fans are in the Top of the Terrace, seat only, behind glass, priced at £30.
However, there will be a limited number of season ticket buy-back seats on sale on Saturday from 1pm at the buy-back windows next to the Ticket Office to personal callers on a one-per-supporter basis to those in the buy-back queue. Supporters can check on the quantity of available buy-backs by calling the Ticket Office on 0844 826 1902 from 9am on Saturday morning.
