Alex Neil is a winner and the Norwich City boss is desperate to hold onto that feeling ahead of the final countdown.

The Canaries are preparing for a relegation duel against Newcastle United at Carrow Road this weekend looking to build on a first victory in 11 league games at West Brom prior to the international break.

'It has been tough but I am quite a positive person,' he said. 'Everybody wants to describe themselves as a winner in this game but it is about doing it on the pitch and I have been used to winning.

'For the last two and a half seasons I have had about a 70pc or so win ratio. It is not easy but I think when you are one of the smaller teams in the league it is about adapting to that, not accepting it as such, but being able to deal with it and put each game to bed and move onto the next one.

'That is not easy to do, as I am sure my wife will tell you, but you just have to get on with it and I am sure in the long run it can only make you stronger. I honestly believe that.

'It is about dealing with that disappointment and going back into work on a Monday and focusing on the next game, because the players feed off you. If you are moping about feeling sorry for yourself then they are going to follow your lead.'

Neil tried everything from altering his squad's weekly training schedule to changing the players' pre-match routine to spark an upturn.

'Success is much more likely if everyone buys into what you are trying to do and we have that,' he said. 'If you don't know where you are trying to get to or where you are right now then you are basically meandering through.

'I am only 34 but I have a clear vision of how I want my side to play and how we will play.'