Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy insists the Canaries will not get carried away by a solid Championship start.

City went into the first international break of the new season in the top four and with a derby win over Ipswich under their belt.

But one of the survivors of City's previous promotion success knows just how difficult it will be to repeat that feat, when they start again away at fellow promotion hopefuls Cardiff City today.

'You have seen it in this league the last few years that you do not have to start well and win every game. If you get to Christmas and you are in or around it then you can still put a good run together,' said the England international.

'You are never out of this league. A couple of losses and you slip down the bottom half, a couple of wins puts you in and around the top. It is a very competitive league and if you are not focused going into every game you will be punished.

'That is why we have to keep our minds right and keep the big goal in sight. With the squad we have we must go into every game full of confidence and believing we can turn teams over. That has to be the attitude. It's how we perform as a group.'

Ruddy is in no doubt City's tight-knit dressing room is a major asset.

'The team spirit is as good as I have known it in the last two or three seasons. Probably since the last time we got to the Premier League and I think that is the key,' he said.

'People can speak about the strength in depth but on top of that if you have that spirit it makes you a very tough team to beat. In fairness the league this time around, compared to the last time we were in it, is harder and gets tougher every season.

'It is almost as hard to get out of this league as it is to stay in the Premier League because everyone is vying for the pot of gold at the end of the season. There are a good ten teams for me who could be challenging.'