CHRIS LAKEY Lee Croft says it's time to start paying back the fans - beginning at home to Scunthorpe tomorrow. The Canaries winger cut a dejected figure as he left Carrow Road at the weekend, sympathising with the fans who had to endure another home defeat.

CHRIS LAKEY

Lee Croft says it's time to start paying back the fans - beginning at home to Scunthorpe tomorrow.

The Canaries winger cut a dejected figure as he left Carrow Road at the weekend, sympathising with the fans who had to endure another home defeat.

“They turn out in their thousands week after week and we haven't given them anything back,” said Croft.

“It's now up to us not to feel sorry for ourselves and go out and perform for the fans.”

Croft's frustrations are exacerbated by his current role on the bench, although he believes City can still take confidence from their performance at his former club, Manchester City, in the Carling Cup last week.

“I know we keep mentioning how we performed and the confidence we could take from it, then we lose against Sheffield Wednesday,” he said. “But we should look at that, not forget what we did that night.”

Scunthorpe arrive at Carrow Road as a top six side, and Croft is hoping that the performance against Sheffield Wednesday can be put aside for 90 minutes.

“It's going to be at the back of our minds, for sure, but we have to try and put it away,” he said. “As the manager said, it will take 11 players to go out there and be positive and to want the ball.

“We need to be brave and to get on the ball and do what we did at Manchester City. I think the Premier League sides give you a bit more time to do things, but they're a good side and we did well. Scunthorpe and the Championship is our business week in, week out, so there are no excuses.”

Croft admitted the Carrow Road dressing room wasn't the best place to be on Saturday evening.

“It wasn't good,” he said “We know we didn't play well so everyone was down and disappointed.

“I have to say we really do feel it as much as the supporters do, but they never get to see that side of it.

“But just as you don't rest on your laurels when you are doing well, then I don't think we should let this affect us. We have to go and change things and put it right, not feel sorry for ourselves.”