Jonny Howson, who has missed only one league game for Norwich City since making his debut in March, does not believe there is any lack of belief among the players.
Confidence is not an issue - Norwich City’s Jonny Howson
David Cuffley
Saturday, September 29, 2012
9:30 AM
Midfielder Jonny Howson insists there is no lack of confidence in the Norwich City squad as they search for their first Premier League victory of the season.
The Canaries take on Liverpool at Carrow Road today (3pm) and after five league games each, the two clubs have mustered just five points between them.
A record of three draws and two defeats for Chris Hughton’s men leaves them marginally ahead of the Reds, also under new management after Brendan Rodgers’ summer switch from Swansea.
But Howson, who has missed only one league game for City since making his debut in March, does not believe there is any lack of belief among the players.
“I’d say confidence plays a big part in everyone’s game, but I don’t see any signs of that confidence dropping at the minute,” he said.
“On an even scale I think in the past few games we’ve been up there. I don’t think there’s any sign of the confidence dropping just yet.
“It’s still early in the season and when you aren’t winning everyone seems to get on top of you, but if we had got what we deserved in the past few games they wouldn’t be talking about it.
“You’re always a little frustrated when you’re not winning games. It doesn’t matter what you do. Whether it’s on the training pitch, or messing around with your room-mates, you always want to win. We’re competitive lads. That’s the only frustration – the winning thing.
“Regarding the chances I think we’d be more frustrated if we weren’t getting those chances. You start worrying when you’re not. But we are creating things.”
City’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle last Sunday typified their season so far, said Howson.
“It was a similar story to the last few games,” he said. “It’s just about taking those chances now. I’m sure it’s just round the corner and the positive thing is we’re playing good stuff.”
Midfield trio Alex Tettey, Jacob Butterfield and David Fox stepped up their claims for a slice of Premier League action with their performances in the Capital One Cup victory over Doncaster in midweek, but Howson said he and former Leeds team-mate Bradley Johnson welcomed the competition.
He said: “It’s what you want in this place – not knowing you’re just going to play week in, week out. You want someone on your shoulder to keep you on your toes and get the best out of you.
“Foxy and Tettey did very well. Me and Bradley, who have the position at the moment, are very aware of the threats around us, but it’s not just us two. I think all over the park there’s good competition for places. There’s a good bond in the group and it’s better to have someone on your shoulder.”
Howson knows what it’s like to face Liverpool after being on the wrong end of last season’s 3-0 defeat at Carrow Road and a Carling Cup tie in 2009 when he, Johnson and Robert Snodgrass were all in the Leeds side beaten 1-0 by the Reds at Elland Road.
“It’s why we play football to play against the best players in the world and Liverpool have got some of those players,” he said.
“These are the kind of games you look forward to. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world, never mind the country, so you try to enjoy every minute of it.
“We’re aware of the way they play and have been training all week towards that. But for a home game it’s more about what we do. It’s up to us to take the game to them. We’re on home soil, we want to start the game bright and take the game to them.”
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13 comments
Some of you need to get your heads out of the sand. All the signs were there before the season started and now the poor results (and some pathetic performances) are showing that Hughton is not getting there. He has bought quantity rather than quality and now favours his own signings over inherited players. Does anyone think Turner is better than Ward or Bennett other than Hughton and Turner's Mum?
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waclor
Sunday, September 30, 2012
yes i still think you write rubbish.
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bluelight
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Well Bluelight do you still think we write rubbish I watched todays game ( as I do each saturday ) and I saw nothing to make me change my mind
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leslie cater
Saturday, September 29, 2012
WELL ITS SEVEN PM AND RETURNED BACK TO THIS PAGE LOOKS LIKE SOME PEOPLE ARE LEFT WITH EGG ON THEIR FACES AFTER TODAYS RESULT. AT LEAST HOLT AND MORRISON HAVE FOUND WHERE THE GOAL IS.
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yarco
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Ten wins needed.Draws are like socks for Christmas-you get them whether you want them or not.
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Peter Watson
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Wander whit the Bluelite Crab will say if beet Liverpool today? ...6 pints from 6 games = 38 pts for the season.!.... If we draw then we are on target for25pts. If we lose, heaven forbid, than we will be on course for 19pts
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Stew Pydsodd
Saturday, September 29, 2012
And R F - go and join your other troll brothers, Ged and co, under the Waveney Bridge
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The Crab
Saturday, September 29, 2012
I'm with you bluelight. I have no doubts that we will be fine. CH has to have time to mould the team to his patterns, and the new boys have to have time to settle. We have lost only once this season, and in all but the opening fixture at Fulham the boys have played outstanding football. Fickle Norwich fans always see disaster if we don't keep winning, but after a couple of good results we are potential champions. My prediction - we wil finish between 10th and 13th again this season, and that will be a great launching pad for next year. But even if we were to finish 17th, that would be success.
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The Crab
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Well thats a vrey good comment R F
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yarco
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Lack of confidence may not be an issue, but, lack of Premier League quality clearly is.
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Relegation Fodder
Saturday, September 29, 2012
oh my god.sometimes you posters write some rubbish.nothing wrong with my confidence,i know we will be ok.otbc.
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bluelight
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Yes I totally agree,the feel good factor has gone from Carrow Road
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leslie cater
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Well confidence is certainly becoming an issue with the fans!!!
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Algarve Canary
Saturday, September 29, 2012