Martin: Win three games and we stay up
Norwich captain Russell Martin remains optimistic about his team’s chances of retaining its Premier League status, with the first opportunity to do so being a grudge match against Champions League-chasing Manchester United during Saturday’s early kick-off slot.
Among other reasons, the defender believes that City’s precarious league position is a result of a lack of composure in the opposition’s penalty area.
I think missing chances is probably a factor in where we are. We’ve been on top in a lot of games and been dominant, or winning a game and not quite put it to bed with chances. But that’s why we find ourselves where we are. It’s not the only reason, but it is one of them. We haven’t done it and when you don’t, you’re trying to keep a clean sheet for as long as possible.
The Canaries 1-0 defeat at Arsenal last time out plunged them deeper into the mire, after holding a four point gap over the bottom three just a matter of weeks ago. However, the former Peterborough player believes that losses against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and the most significant defeat against Sunderland could all pale into insignificance with three point hauls against United, as well as at home to Watford and away to Everton.
I don’t think it’s become too much more difficult. Win three games and we stay up, it’s as simple as that.
Newcastle have got two games left. For Sunderland, it’s a big ask for them to win all three of their games left. So we win on Saturday before they have both played and we got back above them both. It’s as simple as that. And that’s what we have to go and do. Win against Manchester United and we go back above our rivals, it puts the pressure back on them and we’ll still have a game in hand over Newcastle – just like Sunderland.
So if we win, it swings back in our favour again.
Whether Norwich have the capacity to beat all three teams situated in the top half remains to be seen, but what is certain is that, with the title race already decided, all eyes will be on Norwich and their relegation rivals in what could be one of the most gruesome battles for survival in the history of the Premier League.