Neil: We're still in with a chance
ANYTHING could happen if Norwich City pick up maximum points over the next week, says boss Alex Neil.They are currently two off the automatic promotion places in the Sky Bet Championship following last Fridayâs home defeat to Middlesbrough, with only two matches remaining of the regular season.
Speaking to Norwich City TV before Saturdayâs trip to Rotherham United (3pm), Neil cited Sheffield Wednesdayâs draw at Bournemouth as an example of the type of results that could swing the momentum back in the Canariesâ favour â as long as they do their jobs against the Millers and then Fulham on the final day.
âWhat weâve got to do is take care of our part, because the worst thing for us would be if we donât take care of our business, and other teams do slip up, there would be that opportunity that youâd have let pass by,â he commented.
âWe need to make sure that doesnât happen. Weâll take care of our business, and youâll never know whatâs going to happen from there.
âIf you look at the game at the weekend with Bournemouth and Sheffield Wednesday, it showed everyone whatâs capable of happening between now and the end of the season.â
Cityâs boss described the âBoro reverse as âpainfulâ in the immediate aftermath, with Alex Tetteyâs own goal handing the Teessiders the initiative in the promotion race.
He has been pleased with the reaction of his squad this week however, adding: âThat sort of defeat is always going to linger about for a bit, but weâve had the debrief, weâve had a look at the game and weâve put it to bed, as we do with every game.
âIn football, youâve always got another opportunity to redeem yourself and weâve got that on Friday. I donât like the feeling of losing games â Iâm not used to losing games and neither are the team. What weâve got to do is go and respond, and respond strongly.â
Neil revealed that the Clubâs medical team are working hard to ensure a clean bill of health for the clash with Steve Evansâ Rotherham, who have Championship survival to fight for after their points deduction was confirmed on Friday.
âWith them being at home they will want to go and make sure that they keep their status in the league,â he said.
âTheyâre a decent side. They like to flood middle areas, theyâre strong and theyâre relatively direct. Weâre going to have to be big, strong and make sure that we move the ball quickly. Hopefully our quality should come through in the end.
âThere are a few bumps and bruises. Obviously with the three games in six days, it takes its toll. Iâm hopeful that the majority of them should be ok for Saturday.
âIf we do what we have been doing, certainly over recent weeks, then we should be ok.â