CHRIS WISE Leon McKenzie may have had a very public falling out with Nigel Worthington before his controversial move to Coventry - but he his still hopes the City manager keeps in job.

CHRIS WISE

Leon McKenzie may have had a very public falling out with Nigel Worthington before his controversial move to Coventry - but he his still hopes the City manager keeps in job.

The former Canary emerged as an unlikely ally when he declared: “I just hope he pulls through. Even though several times we might not have seen eye to eye, one thing about Nigel Worthington is he's got passion. He brought me to the club and I will never forget that.”

Former players and managers expressed shock at the strength of Monday's statement from majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones, who have so staunchly backed Worthington in the past. All stopped short of calling for Worthington to go.

Former striker Iwan Roberts said: “It's the first time they've come out and said something like this. It's not like them, so they must have been very, very upset with the performance on Saturday.

“I'm not going to say he should be sacked,” he added. “Performances will decide whether he will or not.”

Former winger Darren Eadie said: “If he's got two games then he's got to win them both, or put in good performances. The players have proved they're capable of doing it, but at the moment things are not going very well and who do you put that down to?

“But if he does go who's going to replace him? Bryan Robson is available, but you've got to make it worth his while and he's got to get the best out of the players.”

Peter Mendham, a member of the 1985 Milk Cup-winning team, said: “I think he's been a good manager and the staff he's got there are very good. It may be time for a change for him and the club, but we shall have to wait and see.”

Ex-City boss Dave Stringer, who guided City to two FA Cup semi-finals and to fourth place in the old Division One during his five-year spell as manager, added: “It's not an easy position for the manager to be in because although I'm sure Nigel Worthington will accept the buck always stops with him, the responsibility is not only his, but the players' to get results on the pitch.”

Meanwhile Burnley striker Steve Jones has nothing against his fellow Northern Irishman personally - but would like nothing better than to come away from Carrow Road with three points on Sunday.

“It's crucial that we get something at Norwich, especially with the two-week break and the long distance that the fans are travelling. It's important we give them something to take home.

“We need to pick up something but they will be raring to go after losing their last game. With the cameras being there as well we want to show ourselves as a good team, which we are. So hopefully we can go and do that and put on a stylish performance.”