On-loan defender Leon Barnett has revealed he hopes to extend his stay at Norwich.
On-loan defender happy at Carrow Road
On-loan defender Leon Barnett has revealed he hopes to extend his stay at Norwich.
Barnett, who arrived at Carrow Road from West Brom in the summer, has impressed in central defence for Paul Lambert's side this season.
The 25-year-old is due to return to the Baggies early in the New Year but admits his spell with the Canaries, who defeated Derby 2-1 at Pride Park on Saturday to go fourth in the Championship, has surpassed his expectations.
"It's gone even better than I thought it would do," Barnett told the
Eastern Daily Press.
Stay
"It's helped that the team has been doing well. I spoke to the manager and I think they'd love to keep me here and I'd love to stay here.
"But it's down to the two clubs to agree a fee. I don't know whether they've done that or maybe they're going to wait until the end of the season and might extend the loan.
"As far as I know Paul Lambert wants to keep me and I want to stay here. I've said from the start Norwich is a massive club heading in the right direction and I want to be a part of their success."
Barnett insists Norwich's win at Pride Park demonstrates their ability to contend with the heavyweights in the second tier following their promotion from League One.
"You could see the confidence from how we started on the front foot after scoring four goals the previous week, when we were perhaps expected to win," he said.
Value
"I think the boys have done well because they've come up from League One and not been intimidated by anyone.
"I think they want to push for the Premier League and these results against a big team like Derby will only help.
"They hadn't lost for a while at home so it's a big three points and it puts pressure on teams around us."
The stopper featured in the Albion squad that won promotion to the Premier League in 2008, and knows the value of securing points on the road.
"I think we're learning every game," he added.
"I think people might have thought we would maybe roll over on this one but all the boys dug in and we got what we deserved."
