Norwich will handle the pressure when Sunderland visit Carrow Road, says Alex Neil
Friday 15 April 2016 14:47, UK
Norwich boss Alex Neil is confident his side will handle the occasion when they take on Sunderland in a crucial Premier League clash at Carrow Road on Saturday.
The Canaries can take a giant stride to safety with a victory over the 18th-placed Black Cats, but defeat will leave the Wearsiders only one point adrift of them with a game in hand.
Norwich secured a 3-2 victory over Newcastle, another of their relegation rivals, in their last home match and Neil has pointed to that game as proof they can cope with the pressure.
"My players cope with pressure fine," said Neil. "We had the same against Newcastle and it's not a new experience for us.
"Since 2008 Norwich have been either challenging to get promoted or not to get relegated. It will be a great feeling at the end of the season if we achieve safety.
"The atmosphere will be crucial. The fans, the clappers in the last game, helped, and the fact we played well and won made it a rollercoaster. We'll be pleased if we can replicate that.
"The points would be huge. If we go seven points clear it would be a really tough task for anyone to claw that back with the limited games left. I think everybody is aware of that.
"It's not impossible, we've got a hard run-in, but history suggests teams down there are unlikely to put that sort of run together."
Neil expects Sunderland to present a stern challenge and to try to keep it tight in the early stages of the game.
However, he believes he has the players to break down the visitors' defence and is hopeful of claiming the three points if the Canaries do not concede a goal.
"Both boxes will be crucial," he said. "If we can manage to keep a clean sheet I think we've got enough attacking players to cause Sunderland problems. If we pose a threat, we've got every chance of winning.
"Sunderland, coming here, will really want to get something from the match, so it wouldn't surprise me if the second half is different from the first.
"It will be cagey at first and then one or the other will have to go for it. It's going to get built up, but it's just another game in which we need to perform."
Defender Timm Klose, who injured his left knee in the 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace last Saturday, has not trained all week but Neil is keeping his fingers crossed he will be available after a week of rest and treatment.
"We have kept him in cotton wool but hope he will play against Sunderland," he said.
