Games six and seven of a long and winding 46-match Championship season against Cardiff and Wigan.

A mouth-watering prospect at Carrow Road over the next week for us fans then?

I don't expect too many pulses to be racing at Usain Bolt pace on Saturday and Tuesday as the Canaries take on the sides currently occupying 17th and 20th places in the fledgling table arrive in NR1.

Are they absolute must win games? Will slip ups against either opposition mean Alex Neil's men being consigned to another season in the second tier of English football? Of course the answer to both questions is no.

We know we're in a marathon, not a sprint.

The opening day victory at Blackburn was a great start – but has been put in context as the Lancashire outfit has leaked eight more goals and only picked up one point since then.

The slip up against Birmingham was a big blow and the manner of the defeat was worrying, yet not fatal.

However, I do firmly believe by the time the whistle blows on Tuesday night at the end of this double header, we will have a much clearer indication of whether the Canary glass is half full or half empty.

Two decent wins, confident displays and a jump up the table will see belief returning after the St Andrews no-show and the disappointing end to the transfer window.

However, if the September clouds aren't replaced by an Indian Summer of positivity then there's a danger of a rut setting in.

I'm getting bored of saying that a squad containing talent in the form of players like Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan, Timm Klose, Jonny Howson, Alex Tettey and Alex Pritchard is more than capable of romping to promotion.

What we simply have to see from now are sleeves being rolled up, responsibility being taken and proof of the stomach for a long, tough fight.

Intricate football is pleasant on the eye. However, in the often turgid battles when the opposition bus is parked and the no-nonsense lads get off, you have to earn the right to play.

Let's see leadership all over the pitch and the desire to get back to where we all want to be.

OTBC.

Srictly speaking, Ed should mention footy

Unlike some other supporters, I've no problem with City chairman Ed Balls donning a sparkly shirt and taking to the Strictly dance floor.

Evidence from his early performances suggests he may not be in the competition for too long.

Ed has already admitted he is finding the contest really tough and stressful.

A natural dancer?

Er, no.

It was unfortunate that all the publicity surrounding the launch of the contest coincided with the end of the transfer window.

The chairman got plenty of social media flak for being very vocal about his new challenge and not commenting on the action (or otherwise) of City's transfer dealings.

My understanding is that his role with the club doesn't put him at the forefront of day-to-day operations – but he should have thought about at least acknowledging the Canaries rather than just tweeting about Strictly.

Finally, I asked in my column last time why the scoreboards at Carrow Road don't display time elapsed/remaining in added time at the end of each half.

I'm told the answer is that the FA asks clubs not to – because the referee may choose to add time to added time if he sees fit due to stoppages such as injuries, cards, goals and celebrations etc.