Relegation is a dirty word for Norwich City’s Alex Neil
Norwich City manager Alex Neil is not worried about a season-long survival battle. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Alex Neil is relishing the pressure of keeping Norwich City from being sucked into a Premier League relegation scrap.
The Canaries moved four points clear of third from bottom Bournemouth, prior to the international break, after ending a six-game winless run in the top flight by beating Swansea City 1-0 at Carrow Road.
Neil, however, insists staying above the cut line in the months ahead is not his driving force.
'I get concerned every time we don't win a game or pick up a point, it's not worrying about the table or getting relegated,' he said. 'All you can do is analyse it, go through it, pick out the bones and take that into the next game. We analyse every game, good and bad, and we move onto the next one. 'I just think you don't get yourself too up when you win, just like you don't get too down when you lose.
'There is a happy medium to be found. If you are too high or low that bleeds into your players and the way you conduct yourself is important. The way you behave gives your players confidence.'
Neil is also embracing the expectation of keeping Norwich's fan base happy.
'When you are managing a club, regardless of who the club is, but when it is relatively big in terms of having 27,000 home fans you are always going to be under pressure as a manager from those fans,' he said. 'It is the chicken and egg situation. Fans will respond to good performances, playing well and scoring goals. They are not going to sit and cheer if you are not winning the game.
Most Read
- 1 DVLA issues urgent warning to drivers in UK
- 2 Seaside Victorian B&B for sale near 'best beach in the east'
- 3 'Emotional experience' as couple reopen swimming pool to the public
- 4 Yobs pictured climbing on vandalised charity dinosaur
- 5 Crumbling coast fear means Norfolk's 'golf ball' radar must be moved
- 6 The days you can visit Wroxham Barns for a fiver this month
- 7 'Unusual' cottage for sale in one of Norfolk's smuggling villages
- 8 Best friends take over popular café in 'just heavenly' setting
- 9 Pub gets dozens of calls asking - 'Do you know there's a dog on your roof?'
- 10 City chip shop might be SINKING but refuses to close
'We have to try and get them up and excited by winning games and playing well but you are also looking for that support from them when things aren't going well.
'Towards the end of last season they were fantastic when we were on a good run and the away fans are always great. They really help us on the road.'