Head coach Dean Smith says the win against Everton has put an extra spring in the step of the players ahead of Friday night’s important match with Watford.
Norwich City travel to Vicarage Road knowing that a victory would lift the club out of the relegation zone for the first time this season and in doing so overtake Watford in the table.
Speaking about the importance of the game, Dean said: “From both teams I think there is going to be a big reaction, because both teams know how important the game is.
“It gives us the opportunity to try and climb out of the relegation places for however long, but it also gives Watford the opportunity to try and get away from us. It is a really important game for both teams. I think both teams will be really looking forward to it.
“I said to the players before the Everton game that it wasn’t quite the be all and end all game, but it was getting to that way. So, getting that victory was really important for us. It probably takes a little bit more pressure off us now going into this Watford game, having got the victory, but we all know how important this game is. It can do a lot for both teams if they win it.”
The victory against Everton came following a Christmas and new year period where the club lost six games on the spin having been severely hit by injuries and illness. However, having got some important players back and picked up that victory, Dean added that the mood around the training ground is much more positive.
“I feel there has been a bit more of a spring in the step around the training ground this week,” he said. “That is what a performance and a win can do for you. I felt that the squad was getting back to a healthier and stronger position, and I thought the performance against Everton was good and it was a deserved victory. So, it has certainly lifted the place.
“We had gone six games without a win. Six games without a goal. We had a bit of fortune with that first goal (against Everton) which was an own goal, but the performance deserved the result. I felt our performance was better against west Ham. I felt that we had got some key players back in the team. I could see that performance (against Everton) wasn’t far away and thankfully we got a result with it as well. It has done wonders for the confidence of the players.”