Make no mistake – Norwich City have improved their form and their results over the New Year period. All they need to do now is make it stick, according to Monday’s hat-trick hero Nelson Oliveira.

“I think these last two games we haven’t made mistakes and it’s because of that we have not lost the games; I think that is the only difference,” said the striker.

“I’m not sure why it’s been different. Maybe it’s better to ask the manager. But I think some games in the past we played well as well, but we didn’t get lucky.

“Against Barnsley we should’ve won because in the second half we missed a lot of chances.

“Against Reading as well, in the second half we equalised and were controlling the game, and we should’ve won that one as well.”

And it was down to those results that City looked so shaky against in-form Derby, until Oliveira intervened with his stylish first goal.

“The last results are not good and we feel a little bit the pressure,” admitted Oliveira.

“It’s normal. The fans are not happy and we felt that. But after we scored, we started playing really well and I think when the fans are behind us and help us, then it is better for us and we will try to do our best to go for the top places.

“We need to win again our next game because we need to put together a good run. I think this is one of our problems – we win a game and then after that, it’s not good. We need to put together that good run to be higher in the table.”

It’s FA Cup action next of course, with Southampton the visitors to Carrow Road for Saturday’s third-round tie.

“All the players can be involved, me as well,” added Oliveira. “It’s an important game and we will look to win it.”

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