Grant: Surprise visit prepared players

CHRIS LAKEY

Peter Grant revealed how a surprise - and unwelcome visit - to Tamworth's tiny ground helped Norwich City avoid becoming the biggest victims of this year's FA Cup competition.

The City team coach took a detour the day before the game and stopped off at the Conference League ground, managing to have a sneak preview of the pitch before they were asked to leave.

The dressing rooms were ruled out of bounds, but by then the players had seen enough to know what to expect on Saturday, when they shattered the Lambs' giant-killing dream with a 4-1 victory.

Two goals each from Dion Dublin and Darren Huckerby did the trick, leaving City boss Grant praising his team's professional approach on a day when a BBC audience of millions was waiting for Norwich to slip up.

“We came to see the stadium yesterday, we were all off the bus on the pitch checking it,” said Grant. “Tamworth weren't too happy we turned up. I think they were surprised and didn't want to let us into the stadium, but the boys were walking across the pitch. But it's changed from yesterday - I think they must have had five-a-side on it this morning or something.

“But I said I would give them the respect they deserved and I think we respected them - that showed in the performance and we thoroughly deserved to win the game.

“Give the players great credit, because we knew all week what the hullabaloo was all about, with the television and everybody else wanting everything else to happened. But they have been 100pc professional and prepared for the game - this morning, the way they came into the game, the way they approached the game.

“We came here to win a game of football. It wasn't about performance today, it was about winning the game. We did that and I am delighted.”

City go into today's lunchtime draw with Grant unconcerned at who they are paired with.

“I don't care who we get,” he said. “We won today, we're in the next round. I'd settle for a home tie, against anybody.”