Norwich City’s Alex Neil is not jealous of rivals’ spending power
Norwich manager Alex Neil confirmed on Fiday Italian striker Matteo Destro has been discussed as he looks to bolster his Premier League squad. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Alex Neil is adamant Norwich City can compete against wealthy Premier League rivals.
City slipped up 3-1 on the opening weekend to a Crystal Palace side who could afford to leave the likes of £25m-rated Yannick Bolasie on the bench, alongside big-money signing Connor Wickham and Chelsea's highly-rated striker Patrick Bamford.
Neil insists such a financial disparity does not concern him.
'I don't think about the money side. That is more for directors and what have you,' he said. 'It helps to have that money if you can go and buy someone for £50m, like the top end teams do, because their spending power gives them a huge advantage. I don't think there is any question about that, but you can still be competitive.
'Look at teams like Southampton and Swansea. They have spent really well and brought in quality players and performed well in the league so it is achievable and there is no reason we can't do the same. When you have been involved in football pretty much all your life all you want to do is be competitive and its more of a pride thing that you want to show you can be as good as them.'
Neil has no intention of compromising his footballing philosophy to bridge the divide.
'We want to get after people, we want to attack and stamp our authority and play our style,' he said. 'None of that will change, but even in the Championship I was prepared to adapt and that won't change. We have to try and nullify their strengths and capitalise on their weaknesses.
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'Success for me is to make sure we are competitive in every single game we play and to do the best we can possibly. If you get that you can't ask for any more.
'I am confident if we do get that we will have a good season and we will be fine.'
