I've been asked on quite a few occasions, especially this season, if there’s a better feeling in the changing room after you’ve won a game playing well compared to what the lads did last week at Swansea when they had to dig in, roll up their sleeves and grind out a result to get the three points? 

My honest answers is no. Yes, of course you want to perform to the best of your ability but it's not always as simple as that. 

You’re up against 11 men or women, who are trying their hardest individually and collectively to beat you. Players have bad days; you get three or four players on the same day having an off day then its hard to win a game. That’s when winning ugly is just as important and as good as winning playing stylish football. 

I don’t think the lads played that well at the swansea.com stadium but they ground it out and came away with the win, which was a good start to the second half of the season. Having got off to a flyer with Teemu Pukki’s seventh of the season in the first minute of the game the lads then had to do a lot of defending and spent long periods without the ball. 

When not in possession I thought Norwich were excellent, lots of communication and organisation is needed when you spend long periods without the ball and we saw that in abundance last weekend. It starts with your goalkeeper and two centre back who I thought were outstanding throughout. I was particularly delighted for Angus coming away with his first clean sheet of the season. 

After the game I must admit I was shocked when I heard Russell Martin say that some of the Norwich players apologised to him as they walked off the pitch at full time as if they were embarrassed after winning the game. 

In 20 years of playing I’ve never ever apologised for winning a game. I’ve never heard any other player walking off at full time and apologising for winning. It just doesn’t happen, I’m sorry. If any of Norwich lads did this, and I very much doubt there were, then they need to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror. 

It was great to see Adam Idah come off the bench last Saturday for the last few minutes after months out with a serious knee injury. Adam’s had a tough start to his career at the club just when he was starting to show what he was about last season was cut short. His pace, power and strength will cause problems and with him, Pukki and Josh Sargent as attacking options it can only be a positive for Dean Smith. 

The dilemma that is Todd Cantwell took yet another turn before last weekend’s visit to South Wales when the talented Derham boy told the manager that he wasn’t ready to be involved for the Swansea game. 

The Pink Un: Todd Cantwell didn't feel ready to be in the squad for City's trip to SwanseaTodd Cantwell didn't feel ready to be in the squad for City's trip to Swansea (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

I’m sorry, but I just don’t get that. Professional football is a short career, it can come to an end in a blink of an eye through serious injury. Personally, I’d never have told a manager that I wasn’t ready even if I wasn’t fully fit. In fact, I could probably count on both hands when I was both mentally and physically 100pc flying fit and raring to go. 

It will soon be January which obviously means transfer window time. 

Last January was a bit of a disaster as far as bringing in new faces to the football club. 

I get the feeling this coming January could be a quiet on for City but in my opinion, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. 

Players are getting back from injuries, those who have been injured are getting back to somewhere close to full fitness. If no new faces walk through the door in the next window I still think and maintain this squad is good enough to win automatic promotion. 

It’s down to the manager to fulfil their potential and get the best out of them.