Everton will be biggest test yet for City - Adams

Chris Lakey

Neil Adams is backing the Canaries to give Everton a run for their money tomorrow afternoon - and help build the foundations for a successful Championship campaign.

Adams has a foot in both camps, having won a league title with Everton in 1987 and played almost 200 games for the Canaries in the late 90s.

The future, he believes, is bright - for both clubs - and another good result against top-flight opposition after last weekend's win over Newcastle, will help confidence for when the real battle begins.

“I think it will be a big test for us,” said Adams, who is a coach in City's youth set-up. “Everton are a good side. David Moyes has got them playing really well. He's worked wonders up there with the budget and how he has kept the club in the Premiership and pushing for the top end places.

“When Norwich played Newcastle I think that would have been the first opportunity most of the fans would have had to look at the team and I think everybody would have come away really impressed with what they saw of Norwich.?

“Newcastle are a good team and I know they only played half a team in each half, but I think the way Norwich passed the ball and created chances for themselves, everybody came away really impressed.

“Everton will be more of a test, but if they play anything like they did against Newcastle they should give a good account of themselves.”

The validity of results in pre-season has always been a bone of contention, but Adams comes down on the side of those who look for the confidence factor.

“If you look at last season they won virtually every game - they played Wigan and Manchester United and impressed in all of the games, but, of course, we all saw what happened in that first game of the season,” he said. “I've played in pre-season where you have won every game and you come to the first game and you lose. And flip it over - I've played in pre-seasons where it is disappointing and you go into the first game a little bit concerned and when the pressure is really on and the real business begins, you turn it on and win the game.

“Does it matter if you don't win? The result is probably not important, but when you do win it gives you that bit more confidence and I think all the players will have felt that after the Newcastle game.

“If they had lost you could have said it didn't matter - but we won the game, played really well and I think everybody will have come off confident and pleased with their performances.

“If they do beat Everton obviously it will make people sit up and take notice - but obviously the real business is against Watford next Friday.”

Manager Paul Lambert has brought in seven new players, and Adams is impressed with the way they have settled.

“I thought they slotted into the team very well,” he said. “The three in midfield - Andrew Surman looks classy, Andrew Crofts was up and down, bags of energy and put some good balls into the box as well.

“David Fox is at the base of the diamond and when you play that formation it is important to get the ball to Wes Hoolahan. Opposition teams are going to know that's what Norwich are going to try to do and you can then try to exploit it by switching the play and I just think he is tailor made for it.

“He is comfortable on the ball, he has a great range of passing and just the way he can switch play out to the other side really quickly gave Norwich another dimension. I think he really slotted in there well.”

So a season prediction?

“I think we will do well,” said Adams. “I think a good start is essential and I think the fixture list has been kind. I have spoken to people at other clubs and they just want to consolidate.

“What is pleasing from the Norwich camp is they are going to go for it - and that should be music to everybody's ears.

“And if they go and back up the determination and positivity that is coming out of the camp and produce it on the field, we could be in for a decent season.”