I challenege anyone to read this and not feel slightly sick with fear by the end

Oh pleeeeeeeeeeassssssseee ...

Claim your place in history - Nigel

12 May 2005 12:00

City boss Nigel Worthington today laid a simple gauntlet at the feet of his players ? step up to the plate on Sunday and become legends.

"That opportunity is there for all the players ? to put their stamp on Norwich City's history," said Worthington, as both club and players prepare for the game of their lives in the Barclays Premiership at Fulham.

Victory and Norwich will be safe in the top flight for another season. A draw or a defeat and it all becomes scary, scary stuff as Southampton, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion all look to haul themselves out of the bottom three and send City packing back to the Championship.

But who will the hero be? Is this Dean Ashton's day? Will Leon McKenzie, named Norwich City Ambassadors' Clubman of the Year on Tuesday night, find all his hard work rewarded with the Fulham winner? Or will that honour belong to the Canaries' newly-crowned Player of the Season Darren Huckerby?

Might it take yet another astonishing save from Robert Green to keep Norwich in the Premiership? Opportunity knocks for someone to be handed the freedom of the city ? who will that hero be? It could, of course, be a team of heroes who party long into the night on Sunday if fate delivers the Canaries' dream.

"At the end of the day, it's just a great game for all concerned and all they can do is go out there and give it their very best shot," said Worthington.

Given the stakes involved, it is easily the biggest single game since the 2002 Division One play-off final at Cardiff. Little surprise to find Worthington drumming out the same message to his troops as he did ahead of the trip to the Millennium Stadium.

"They've got to try and enjoy it ? that's very important," said the City chief, well aware that the tension of the occasion will only increase as kick-off nears.

The trick, it seems, is to manage that tension - control the nerves in an orderly fashion. Don't peak too soon.

"That's the thing ? they've got to stay relaxed. If not, then some of that nervous energy can be drained away and that's when they get heavy-legged.

"We've just got to get them relaxed and then wind them up nice and steady the closer we get to it."

Right now, they're bang on course to fly out of the blocks come three o'clock on "Survival Sunday".

"The mood's very good ? they're in good spirits," confirmed Worthington, likely to have a fully-fit squad to select from with both Adam Drury (hamstring) and Youssef Safri (groin) expected to shrug off their minor aches and strains for the final push.

Posted By: Old Git on May 12th 2005 at 15:30:33

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