Alex Neil's persuasive powers played a major role in Yanic Wildschut opting to join Norwich City's promotion push.

The Dutch winger turned down Derby to move to Norfolk and hopes to start repaying his new manager's faith by getting his Canaries career off to a strong start against Cardiff today.

'I spoke with the gaffer and he gave me a real good feeling, showed interest, said the things I would like to hear, did his homework,' the £7million signing from Wigan said.

'When we played the away game at the beginning of the season (when the Latics lost 2-1 at Carrow Road) the atmosphere was really good and of course Norwich is a big club.

'I remember the play-off final a couple of years ago when I was at Middlesbrough, so it was just taking experience of that and they actually went up so I had a bit of an image of the club and I know a couple of Dutch players played here before.

'But the gaffer was the main point of coming here.'

The 25-year-old winger impressed Neil when he played against City in September and intends to show there is more where that came from during the remainder of the season.

'I think I showed glimpses of what I can do when we played here,' he continued.

'I like to take my man on and beat him with my pace and strength, and maybe provide a different option for this time, I think that's what the gaffer said and to hopefully got some goals and assists as well.'

The former Netherlands Under-21 international published an article in the local newspaper in Wigan to apologise for handing in a transfer request to fans.

He hopes Latics supporters will understand his decision, as their team battle against the drop.

'Of course the supporters are angry that I left the club but with everybody else at the club I had a great relationship,' Wildschut continued. 'I don't think anybody would say a bad word about me because I've always been good for the club and the club has been good for me.

'It's just this opportunity came and I really wanted to take it.'

Now the powerful winger hopes to be playing a part in a push for promotion instead, adding: 'The second half of the season is where the prizes are.

'For sure I think it's a good team and a good club and now is a good time to just kick on and go with it.'