Norwich City defender Timm Klose thinks that the team could find an advantage in playing their first away game of the season behind closed doors against Arsenal this Wednesday (6pm KO).
Speaking on the return to football so far, Klose thinks the team have gotten better each game in the build-up to their trip to the Emirates Stadium, and thinks it will be an interesting match with no fans present.
“The performances over the last three games went up every game and we played better football. I think it’s possible, but you have to be realistic, Arsenal is a good team and they have a lot of quality players and they improved as well after a difficult start.
“I think it’s an interesting game, with no fans in their stadium we have the chance to get something out of the game and hopefully we’ll come back with at least a point but three best case scenario.
“Is it an advantage? I don’t know, at home definitely it is for us, because we know how good our fans are and how supportive they are, especially when teams come to our place. It’s a hard place to come and play football against us.
“I think we’ve done well this season at home and it takes the nerves away in an away game to make sure there’s no fans booing you off the pitch. That helps, it can be an advantage at away from home but a bit of a disadvantage away from home.”
Looking back on their recent unfortunate defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals, Klose believes wins will soon come if the team keep the same strides they’re making.
“I think it was another step forward, after the first game in the Premier League against Southampton, which was quite disappointing. We went to the Everton game which made a step forward and then I thought we played a really good game against Manchester United.
“It was obviously unfortunate in the end, but I think if we can keep going forward like this, I think it’s highly likely to get the points we need to stay in the league.”
“Against Manchester United, you saw what is possible if the pressure is a bit away from the team where we went into a game which we had nothing to lose and we played really good.
“I’m hoping we have the same mindset tomorrow against Arsenal where we just go into the game not thinking about our position, it’s 90 minutes of football.
“It’s about going out and enjoying playing football, giving everything and leaving our heart on the pitch for the club. I’m 100% sure we can get something out of the game.”
Discussing his red-card foul on Odion Ighalo in the FA Cup tie, Klose says he felt he had to make the challenge to save the team from conceding the game-winning goal.
“I had to take him down, in football sometimes you have to make decisions in a split second but that was one where was going to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper and the chances are quite high that he could score.
“I took one for the team, I had to. That unfortunately will affect my situation for the game against Arsenal.
"It would’ve been great if we could come out of the FA Cup with a win, but there are downsides and some positive things you can take out of it, in the end you have to say maybe it was the wrong decision.”