Minimum standards were set as Norwich City beat Everton and Adam Idah knows an expectation for work rate and physicality must be met for any chance of Premier League survival.
The Canaries travel to Watford tomorrow night knowing that victory over their survival rivals will move them out of the relegation zone, although all of the teams below them would still have games in hand.
“We played great and we know ourselves that we haven’t been performing the best of what we can," said the Republic of Ireland international.
“But playing like we did, we know that’s the standard that we need if we want to stay in this league, and that’s what we need to do.”
City returned some of their best defensive statistics of the campaign to end a miserable run of form, with heroic moments of last-ditch defending throughout the team for the collective cause.
“You just need to go back to the basics at times, that’s how you win games in football," the 20-year-old continued, having proved the match-winner with his first top-flight goal.
“I think everyone has stuck in and shown great character and that’s what we needed. With the fans behind us, that gave us an extra lift as well towards the end of the game, because it was a bit hectic once they scored their goal.
“We need to keep going and grind these results out.”
Idah has been paired with Teemu Pukki in a 4-4-2 formation for the last two matches and a simplified approach from Dean Smith has shown encouraging signs.
“As a team we just said, look, we need to go back to the basics and do the basics well," added the Irishman. "That’s what can win you games and that’s what we haven’t been doing that well.
“That sets the standards for us and hopefully we can just keep it going.”
The clash with the Hornets is a tantalising prospect, knowing that back-to-back victories for the first time since promotion could bring a completely new atmosphere to a survival challenge that has been looking bleak.
“After every win you are raring to play the next game and really confident," Idah concluded.
“We’ll take every game as it comes, it’s Watford next and we just need to prepare right, recover from this game properly and go there to hopefully get the win.”
NCFC EXTRA: Idah hungry to prove himself for City as patience pays off
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