Kenny McLean feels Norwich City’s new intake can help the Canaries reach the Premier League.
The Scot is now one of the longest-serving players on the books, but underlined his value to the cause with two assists and the trigger pass for another goal in the 4-1 Championship rout of Watford.
Head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup and sporting director Ben Knapper oversaw a busy summer transfer window that got McLean’s seal of approval.
Jose Cordoba, Ante Crnac and Oscar Schwartau all started against the Hornets, while Anis Ben Slimane underlined his ability in the first away league win at Coventry City.
“They’ve been identified for their qualities and the way we want to play, they’ll be totally fine this season,” said McLean. “You can see their qualities already, hopefully they can use them to the best of our advantage.
“This club is going in the right direction, and we have a lot of young players.
“Everything behind the scenes is set up for us to be really successful, so it’s about the players on the pitch doing the job now.
“It’s been a couple of years in the Championship, but everyone at this level wants to make that step and get to the Premier League.
“That’s what everybody’s aims and ambitions will be this season – and we’re no different to that. We want to do as well as we can.
“We know it’s going to be tough, it always in this division and that’s what it has showed us these last couple of years."
McLean, speaking to SportsBoom, is closing in on 200 league starts for the Canaries, and already has two top flight promotions, and was a key figure in the run to last season's play-offs.
“A hat-trick of Premier League promotions sounds good to be,” he said. “I want it more than ever now. We want to do as much as we can this season – and we think we’ve got everything in place for that.
“It’s always going to be tough, it’s a league where there are no ‘gimmies’ no matter who you play, whether it’s promoted teams or relegated teams.
“Whoever it is, every game, you need be at your best. That’s what we need to be week-in, week-out.
“You don’t want to be chasing your tails come Christmas and towards the end of the season. We did that a wee bit last season. We had a really poor spell before Christmas, so I think every week matters.
"From a personal note I want to get better and continue to improve. Physically I still feel as well as I ever have, and every day I’m learning new things, so I think I will and can improve still.
“I’ll try and do that under the new manager and try and do as much as I can for this football club, which I always have.”
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