ALEX Neil has already made a big impression on Norwich City’s players, according to captain Russell Martin.

Neil has been putting the team through its paces ahead of his first home game in charge versus Cardiff City on Saturday (3pm).

Martin, speaking to the media at Colney on Friday afternoon, says the squad have no doubts about the direction offered by their new manager.

“He speaks really, really well. In his first meeting with the lads – if a few of them didn’t know much about him, then they did after that. They were really impressed,” he said.

“He’s certainly got his point across. We know exactly how we want to play. There will be no grey areas – it will be black and white.

“He’s made it really simple with what he wants the lads to do, so now it’s up to us to make sure we go and carry that out.”

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City’s skipper says the players are determined to ensure that last weekend’s win at Bournemouth leads on to a run of positive results that could propel the Canaries into contention for the two automatic promotion spots in the Sky Bet Championship.

Mindset will be key, admitted Martin.

“It was a big win last weekend but it’s been a weird season in terms of results. We’ve had a few where people have said ‘that’s us, we’re back on it now’ and then we’ve followed it with not such a good one,” he added.

“We just need to concentrate on the next game, and the one after that and the one after that.

“Mentally we’ve got to be right and we will be, there are no excuses, we’ve spoken about it. We’ll be right up for it tomorrow. We’re looking forward to getting back in front of our fans, then hopefully it we play like we did last weekend we’ll be right up there.”

When asked if recent meetings with Cardiff will have any bearing on Saturday’s content, Martin said: “They were both similar games against them last year. I think David Marshall saved his best form for when we play them! Obviously it’s a different year with two different teams.

“The first half down there this season was probably the worst we’ve been all season, but the second half was probably up there with the best we’ve been. If we can beat that second half performance on Saturday, we’ll be alright.”

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