Alex Neil insists Norwich City are playing by different rules to some of their Championship promotion rivals as they target the top two.

City host another heavyweight contender, Derby County, at Carrow Road this weekend bidding for an eighth win in the last nine league games.

Norwich go into the game just one point off leaders Bournemouth, and Neil knows City do not have the element of surprise over the run-in after being touted as pre-season title favourites before a ball was kicked.

'That expectancy can work in two ways. The fact we have the experience, we have lads who have been there, seen it and done it does give us an advantage,' he said.

'But that means the expectation level on a Brentford or a Bournemouth is completely different. I think if they come up short it is still going to be a fantastic season, well done, and everybody connected gets a pat on the back. If we come up short, then I have not done my job, my players have not done their job and we have had a terrible season.

'We have the belief and that is important. We were 12 or 13 points off the top in seventh place when I came in.

'We were on the outside looking in, so it is job done in terms of getting amongst it but now we have 10 left to push on and maintain it and come the end of the season when the dust settles we hope to in one of those top two spots.'