Fighting for their futures
CHRIS LAKEY Peter Grant has rubbished suggestions that Norwich City have nothing to play for this season - by insisting his players are fighting for their livelihoods.
CHRIS LAKEY
Peter Grant has rubbished suggestions that Norwich City have nothing to play for this season - by insisting his players are fighting for their livelihoods.
With five games remaining, City are virtually assured of Championship safety. But Grant baulked at suggestions that their hosts - who are not - have more to play for.
“We have everything to play for,” he said. “Our boys have got their livelihoods to play for, not just three points.
“We are under scrutiny as well, as we have proved with the inconsistency we have had.
“It's as if they know they are going to be here next year, that's the difference.”
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It has been six months since Grant was named as successor to today's opposite number Nigel Worthington, who was axed as City boss after almost six years.
It's a period during which inconsistency has become an unwanted byword for a Canaries side Grant insists should be competing at the other end of the table.
So what's gone wrong?
“Results; certain performances; lack of consistency,” said Grant. “They have all been disappointing. When I see the Sunderlands, West Broms, Birminghams and Derby's all challenging for that prized possession of going to the Premier League, there is no doubt in my mind that we should be there as well.”
Grant inherited a team that had failed to win in five games, a 4-1 home defeat by Burnley proving the straw that broke the camel's back.
Since then he has added Luke Chadwick, Chris Brown and Simon Lappin to his squad, with Mark Fotheringham here until the end of the season and he has brought in three keepers on-loan - Jamie Ashdown, David Marshall and Tony Warner.
But injuries in key areas plus frustration in the transfer market have left him with more changes ahead.
“There are certain things I would always like to change,” he said.
“But if we had shown any kind of consistency I would take on any other team in this division and expect us to win if we played to our capabilities. That is the frustrating thing, and that is why it has not been successful.”
