Crofts revels in hectic schedule

Norwich City have got their teeth stuck into the vital last third of the season and head to Barnsley on the back of two tough games – also against Yorkshire opponents.

Leeds last weekend was energy sapping for players and fans alike, and there was perhaps a bit of a hangover in terms of fatigue for the midweek draw against Doncaster.

But for midfielder Andrew Crofts, the Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday routine is footballing heaven.

'To be honest I am one of those players who'd like to play Saturday-Tuesday every week if I could,' he said. 'Training is brilliant, but there is nothing better than a game and I thrive on Saturday-Tuesday.

'I know it can be tough sometimes when you've had a hard game away from home and you've got another game on the Tuesday, but I just like them coming thick and fast.

'You have to make sure you look after yourself off the pitch to make sure you recover as quickly as you can for the games.'

Crofts has started 31 games this season – all in the Championship – plus three for Wales and the possibility of another three before the end of the season, which could mean he hits the half-century mark for the campaign.

'I love that to be honest – if I could I would do it every week. I'm only 26 so the more games I play the better,' he said.

Crofts played a major part in both goals at Elland Road last week, crossing for Grant Holt to nod back for Henri Lansbury for the equaliser and then slipping in Wes Hoolahan for the second.

'It's nice to set up a few goals of late,' he said. 'There is nothing better than scoring goals and setting up goals and the main thing is the team getting three points. My job as a player is to help the team to get three points. If I am setting goals up or scoring goals it's a bonus.

The top end of the Championship seems to be getting tighter and tighter, inside the top six and just below it.

'That's why the league is so good,' he said. 'We are not looking behind us, we are looking in front of us.'