CITY'S Simon Lappin is convinced he and his team-mates will need to approach this Saturday's First Round FA Cup tie sponsored by E.ON with Paulton Rovers just as they would any other game.
The Zamaretto League Division One South and West side are grabbing all the attention ahead of the biggest game in their club's history but Lappin insists it is all about everyone in the Canary camp sticking to their tasks ahead of the trip to Winterfield Road.
"We're approaching it as we do any other game," confirmed the 26-year-old Scot. "You've got to go out there with the right attitude and approach it in the right manner and it'll be no different on Saturday.
"We're preparing the same way in terms of training so we'll go there with the same attitude as we'd do every week. Even in our league games we concentrate more on what we do than what the opposition do and it'll be the same this weekend."
Lappin is more than aware the non-league opponents will looking to make the most of their big day and will be going all out to create an upset for the live television audience.
"Obviously it's a big game for them and we'll go there and give them the respect they deserve. They played a lot of games to get to this round and they'll be looking to go and win the game but we've got to take care of ourselves and make sure we are in the next round of the draw."
Avoiding an embarrassing cup exit and taking their place in Sunday's second round draw is the simple objective for Paul Lambert's City squad this weekend. And Lappin has first-hand experience of tough non-league cup opponents, having been part of the St Mirren side that we're given a real run for their money by East of Scotland side Spartans in the Fourth Round of the Scottish Cup in February 2006.
"There was a time whan I was at St Mirren, we played a team called Spartans in the Scottish Cup and they held us 0-0 at their place which was a bit of a hiccup, but we beat them 3-0 in the replay. Hopefully we can get do the job on Saturday first time against Paulton."
City will certainly taking a step into the unknown come 12.45pm on Saturday and Lappin admits the life and times of Paulton Rovers Football Club would not be his chosen subject in the Mastermind chair. However, in Bristol-born striker Jamie Cureton the City players do have someone with a little local knowledge.
"Jamie Cureton is from that kind of direction so I think everyone has been questioning him about them. I think he is clued up on who they are and what they are about.
"We're expecting them to come out, play and try and win the game but we've got to concentrate on what we do and get into the next round."
Having operated in the left-back role during last Saturday's Coca-Cola League One success at Stockport County on Saturday, Lappin was unsure as to whether it would be a case of the same again or him returning to a more familiar midfield role come on Saturday. When asked by reporters where he was likely to play, Lappin replied:
"Wherever the manager sees fit. I'm just happy to be playing again and hopefully staying in the team. Wherever the manager sees me playing I'll be more than happy to do a job there."
There are tickets still available for the first round FA Cup tie against Paulton Rovers on Saturday and tickets can be purchased by calling 0844 826 1902, or in person at Carrow Road ticket office or the Canary Store in the Mall, Norwich.
