Martin O'Neill has seen Dean Smith have success in the Championship before - and believes his experience will see him through a tough time at Norwich City. 

Smith is coming under fire from City fans after inconsistent results, under-par performances and a style of play that supporters have failed to connect with so far this season. 

Those frustrations were vocalised on Saturday as Smith was on the receiving end of a series of chants from his own supporters including calling for his sacking as the Canaries' head coach. 

During a lengthy managerial career that included stints with Celtic, Aston Villa and the Republic of Ireland as well as a short spell at Norwich, O'Neill understands the pressures of management better than most. 

Smith now has the uphill task of attempting to win Norwich fans back on side - starting as they head to Kenilworth Road to face Luton on Boxing Day. 

O'Neill has seen Smith deploy an attractive style of play during his time at Brentford and believes he will need to lean on his experience to help him emerge through a tough moment at Norwich. 

"When I was the Republic of Ireland manager, Brentford had a little player called (Alan) Judge who played for them before he got a serious injury," O'Neill said, speaking earlier this month. 

"I used to enjoy going to Griffin Park to watch Brentford under Dean Smith. I thought they played some really attractive football and they were a nice team to watch. It did not come as a major surprise to me when he got the opportunity to manage Aston Villa, which is his boyhood club. 

Eastern Daily Press: Martin O'Neill has seen the highs and lows of football. Martin O'Neill has seen the highs and lows of football. (Image: PA Images)

"Dean knows what to do. He has been in this league before with Brentford and Villa. He will know what the expectations are at Norwich City. It's just coming terms with relegation. 

"If they haven't come to terms with it by Christmas then they never will do. I think they will and then it's about finding a consistency of results and getting moving, especially when there is very little separating the teams. They will have a chance. 

"You have to start again and get the team completely focused. He doesn't need me to tell him because he has loads of experience. Norwich can do it, absolutely."

– ON DAYS LIKE THESE: My Life in Football by Martin O’Neill is published by Macmillan and available to purchase now.