Consistency is Norwich City's missing ingredient according to Jonny Howson – and it's the reason why the Canaries won't be taking things easy in the cup on Saturday.

While City hit the heights with a 6-1 Boxing Day demolition of Millwall, their subsequent Sunday defeat at Reading to round off 2014 left Neil Adams' men 10 points off the Championship's top-two.

Some might see Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie at League One Preston North End as getting in the way of City's league focus – but Howson is not one of them.

'It's maybe what we need now, that consistency,' he said. 'We know we can do it and put in good performances, and sometimes it's consistency that's the difference – whenever you want to achieve something over a long period of time, that's the thing you need.

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'The fact we've missed it is frustrating, especially when some weeks it's not a case of just getting the results – we've put in some very good performances.

'Everyone will look at the FA Cup differently. I'm sure some people will look at it as the league being the main focus, and others will look at it as you wanting to win every game you're involved in.

'For us, it's a case of any game you play in – even a friendly – no one likes to lose. Now our focus will be on Saturday because they are going well in the league, and they're a good side. So it's going to be a difficult game and we've got to be right at it.'

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