Norwich City boss Neil Adams should ignore the 'background noise' and focus on the job in hand, says Wigan chief and his former Canaries' team mate Malky Mackay.

Adams is under pressure to spark City's season into life again after one league win in the last 10 ahead of Saturday's trip to the north-west as he looks to deny Mackay his first victory since taking over at the Latics.

Norwich's former title-winning defender only returned to the game last month following a bitter split from previous club Cardiff that continues to rumble on, with the FA investigating allegations of racist and homophobic abuse sent by Mackay in a series of texts.

The Scot has pledged to fully co-operate with the authorities after publicly admitting his conduct was 'unacceptable', and Mackay's own experiences have taught him valuable lessons.

'Football management is about staying calm and staying focused, keeping to your plan and the good habits you believe in,' he said. 'Everything else is background noise, and as long as you've got good people backing you at the football club, and everyone sees the vision going forward, you'll be okay.

'Norwich started like a house on fire and have had a little dip, and when that happens people are always going to have their say. Without a doubt, it's a huge squad packed with quality, and no matter who goes out there they'll have players who know their way around the Championship. I'm under no illusions at all it's going to be a very tough game.'

Adams himself accepts wins are vital to ease the pressure.

'The pressure is there and I would be lying if I said I wasn't aware of that. We have to do better,' he said. 'Recent results have not been good enough, that is not up for debate. Until we get back on track and until we start performing in the manner of those first nine or ten games, I am going to be under the spotlight and I will have to expect that.

'You can never switch off. One of the first things everybody says when you get your first job is its 24/7 and you kind of nod in agreement, but it really is.

'It's not just the nine or 10 hours you are at the training ground. You are watching DvDs, thinking about team selections and training sessions. It is non-stop.'