Chris Hughton is calling for unity with Norwich City's Premier League future on the line ahead of this weekend's crucial home test against relegation rivals Sunderland.

Hughton was heavily criticised by a section of the travelling support during the 4-2 top flight defeat at Southampton but the City boss is relying on the Carrow Road factor for the Black Cats' visit. The Norwich boss accepts his under-performing squad have short-changed fans but Hughton has urged them to rally behind the cause for a defining period.

'The players know, and I will tell them, if our level of performance does not improve we will make life very hard for ourselves,' he said. 'But we will have a fabulous crowd behind us and generally at home we have been very good and that has to be the case against Sunderland. It is only ourselves who can get us out of this and we have to do that very quickly. You have to remain focused, retain that belief but there is no doubt we are in a difficult position.

'It is always hard after a tough defeat but at some stage and quickly we have to put the Southampton one to bed, close it down, and look forward to a home game. We have been very good at home for the most part and we need everybody pushing in the right direction now.'

Hughton does not subscribe to the theory Norwich's survival hinges on gaining enough points before a daunting finale.

'No, I don't think you can ever feel we cannot get points in those final four games. If they were in any other stage of the season we would not be going into them with a defeatist attitude and particularly at home we are capable of winning against what are regarded as the bigger clubs,' he said. 'We still have to look at it that we have eight games left and we have to get enough points across those eight games. I think my side is capable of that. We know it will be tough. Our form has been up and down, we have been inconsistent but we know we have enough capabilities to do that.'