Given that two weeks ago I predicted 13 points would be needed from Norwich City's remaining nine games to stay up, this has been a very good fortnight, with almost a third of that total already taken care of.

The fact I'd pretty much written off both the Manchester City and West Brom games as opportunities to get any of those points, makes it all the better.

That estimate hasn't changed and I still think another three wins from seven would be enough for the Canaries to stay ahead of their North-East rivals.

Even with Rafa Benitez and Sam Allardyce at the helm, I can't see either Newcastle or Sunderland getting the four victories they would need to leapfrog above the Yellows.

Of course, a couple of draws for Norwich on top of this, or maybe even the dream scenario of a fourth victory, would be fantastic.

Come May 15 I'm sure most of us would rather settle down to see if Leicester City can grab the title, than have to shun that particular drama for another end of season day of destiny. Norwich fans know only too well how they normally pan out.

If Premier League status is maintained I think we'll look back on the two games just gone as pivotal to the season.

In a short space of time the mood has completely shifted and instead of the general feeling the club was sinking straight back into the Championship, hope now springs eternal. The belief is back.

On the pitch, the players have not only rediscovered form and cohesion – but some of the spirit that has been lacking for much of this season.

Judged on results alone, the turning point came with the 0-0 draw against Manchester City.

But in reality performances have improved dramatically since the season low-point defeat away to Aston Villa. Positive results may not have followed but, a half or so against Swansea apart, for the majority of the last six games City have regularly reached the sort of level we expect. And in that time they've more than held their own against last year's champions, this year's champions-elect and two teams pushing for the top four.

Interestingly, the West Ham draw was followed by a squad training trip to Abu Dhabi and I wonder how much of an impact that has had on the squad rediscovering its mojo?

It's easy to forget footballers are human too and that when you throw a load of new characters into a group, as Norwich did in January, they may take time to bond and build trust.

That must be even harder when that group appears to be on such a downward spiral.

In such an instance any team, in sport or otherwise, needs its strongest characters to come to the fore and set the standard.

Strong characters are something we all sense has been lacking this season and I've often heard it rightly pointed out City miss someone in the mould of Grant Holt to pick them up when they're down. I'm led to believe he was just as good at doing this off the field, as on it.

But at last it seems this is happening, with Timm Klose and Gary O'Neil emerging as the key characters we've so desperately needed.

O'Neil in particular has played like a man possessed since returning from that unnecessary Stoke suspension and looks determined to say sorry to fans in the best way possible – through hard work and passion.

If that's the impact guilt has on City's headband warrior, then I'm never going to forgive him.

The other big difference for City in those previous two games has been that the odd slice of luck has finally gone their way.

As good as Norwich played against City, it helped that the Mancunians were on one of their 'off-days', while Matt Jarvis' backheel 'pass' for the West Brom winner could have gone anywhere.

Ultimately luck won't send you down or keep you up – but it certainly helps if it's on your side.