Dean Smith believes he can still win over Norwich City fans who have turned against the under-fire head coach. 

Smith was barracked by large numbers of supporters in a 2-0 Championship defeat to Blackburn that made it one win from the last seven at Carrow Road. 

City head to Luton Town on Boxing Day reeling from a toxic defeat inflamed by Smith’s post-match comments directed at disgruntled fans. 

The head coach was back to work at Colney in recent days as he steps up preparations for a festive trip to Kenilworth Road. 

“All I can do is keep working hard with the players to turn those opinions around. I can’t think about opinions,” he said. “There is nothing I can say, we just have to play better, kill teams off and that starts at Luton. I will always defend my record. I have been in this game long enough. 

"I have seen this happen before, and seen it turn again many times, and I certainly believe we can with this group of players. We started the season with one point from three games we had dominated.  

“I have spoken to them about sticking together. We have to use it to prove people wrong. I cannot question the players’ attitude. I understand frustration and disappointment, but leave it until the end of the game, because otherwise it will just play havoc on players' minds as well.” 

Smith feels there is a fear factor now in play at Carrow Road. 

“If you go behind it is tough, because I understand the expectation. I have always grasped it but we have no entitlement to win games in a tough league,” he said. “This is a different league to two years ago, namely the fact fans are back in the stadiums.

"Players understand that but it is just crazy that if we beat Blackburn we go third and we had won three of the previous five.  

“I think players had to play through a lot of fear. There was a number of times when the final ball let us down. We got into good areas but that final ball would hit the defender or final pass was not quite delivered right.

"We had the lion’s share of possession. Most of it in their half but didn’t create big enough chances and the final ball at times was lacking. Then we compound that by giving away two silly goals.”