Midfield maestro Graham Dorrans knows what it takes to stay in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old, who joined Norwich City permanently following a successful loan spell at the end of last season, was only relegated once during six campaigns in the top flight with West Brom. So the Scottish international knows more than most how important it is to keep results in perspective following the Canaries' frustrating 1-1 draw against Stoke City.

Dorrans, asked whether he felt it had been a case of one point gained or two points dropped, said: 'It's a bit of both. Every point in the Premier League is crucial. But the boys are a little bit disappointed that we didn't get all three.

'However, it could still be a vital point at the end of the season. We should have more points than the four we've got so far (out of a possible nine).

'We talked in the changing room and said we should at least have six. The Premier League's tough so if you don't take your chances and score goals then you don't get the points.'

Dorrans has been an instrumental part of impressive early-season City performances against Crystal Palace, Sunderland and the Potters.

A host of spurned chances have hogged the headlines but the full-time summer arrival admits the mood in the camp remains upbeat at how the yellows have adapted following promotion.

'Four points is a good enough start for us at the minute and we'll go again,' said the man who joined West Brom from Livingston for around £150,000 in July 2008.

'I fully expected us to cause teams problems. We've got a great squad. The players that are coming on are just as good as the ones that are starting the game. We've got a good enough squad to compete, at the minute we're doing that, and hopefully that will continue.

'We work all week on how he (Alex Neil) wants us to play so we're going into games with no fear. We were disappointed we didn't get points against Crystal Palace, we played really well last week, and again this weekend. Hopefully we can continue that and pick up as many points as possible.'

With the closure of the summer transfer window starting to edge ever nearer, there looks a strong possibility that Dorrans may have some new team-mates come the morning of September 2. Robbie Brady, Jake Kean, Youssouf Mulumbu and Andre Wisdom are the other recently recruited faces in Alex Neil's dressing room. And Dorrans insists there are no worries about whether they will be the last.

The former Baggie said: 'Players focus on the games and training. We let the people behind the scenes focus on that (the ins and outs).

'We've competed in every game and that's what we want to keep doing. Russell's (Martin) done well and managed to pop up and get his goal (against Stoke). The goals are coming from centre-halves and with a few other people popping up with them hopefully we'll be all right. The gaffer said he wanted everybody to chip in with goals and we're doing that.'

Only Martin could breach the Potters' rearguard with Dorrans conceding there was only one player who was the difference between a creditable draw being turned into a deserved triumph for the hosts.

'They went in front but I thought after that, once we scored, we controlled the game,' added Dorrans.

'We should have probably gone on to win it but Jack Butland had an unbelievable game. The saves he pulled off were incredible and I think if it wasn't for him we'd have had all three points.'