Norwich City midfielder Andrew Surman believes the Canaries now have the perfect Premier League platform to kick on during a congested festive period.

Surman felt the full force of leaders Manchester City at the weekend, but Paul Lambert's squad headed south still six points clear of the bottom three in their quest for top flight survival.

The 25-year-old had a pivotal role to play in Norwich's previous home win over QPR on his first start in more than two months. With Newcastle next up at Carrow Road, Surman insists City continue to tick along nicely back in the big time.

'We're just trying to get as many points on the board as we can. We're taking it week to week,' he said. 'It was a massive win against QPR but you can't look too far forward.

'We're not even halfway through the season yet and there's a busy Christmas period coming up as well, so I think it's just taking each game as it comes and getting as many points as we can on the board before the end of the season –- the quicker we get to that 36, 37 point mark, the better.'

Surman accepts the early season element of surprise has worn off on the back of solid home form and some eye-catching awaydays at the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.

'People always say newly-promoted sides are riding the crest of a wave,' he said. 'After last season when we got promoted, our confidence was high and you just have to see if you can keep that going consistently throughout the season. We've had a great start. Maybe we've taken people by surprise. The teams that get promoted always get written off straightaway anyhow.

'It's been a great start but it doesn't mean anything if we get to the end of the season and we get relegated, so we have to keep getting as many points on the board as we can and keep that good start going.'

Norwich's weekend trip to the Etihad signalled the first of seven games that culminate in a return against Rangers' at Loftus Road on January 2. Lambert has pledged to bolster his squad in the New Year window for the final push, but Surman is confident the current personnel will also last the distance.

'I suppose if we get three or four injuries or suspensions that would put a strain on any squad,' he said. 'But we have quite good strength in depth. If players do drop out, we've got other players to come in and do a job and then new players get their chance. Whoever comes in is capable of doing a job.'