Cameron Jerome insists Championship rivals can forget about taking liberties with Norwich City.

Jerome turned in another selfless shift in the battling midweek 1-0 league win at promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough, that was in stark contrast to some heavy beatings on the road earlier this season.

City head to Reading looking to extend a club record run of consecutive league clean sheets, and provide fresh evidence they are no longer a soft touch.

“When we came unstuck earlier in the season I don’t think we were really as aware as we needed to be,” said the striker. “Now we have a better balance to keep that back door shut and trust the forward players to win the game.

“We have lost some quality players and replaced them with a few lads who don’t know the division. All that can take time and count against you. They need time to get up to speed with the league. We have turned a corner since the last international break. We are now more solid with some attacking flair.

“We are tough and resilient and maybe you could say the goals have dried up, but now it is about finding that balance with the talent we have in this squad.”

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Jerome detects a subtle shift in the second tier this season.

“There is probably six or eight clubs who are doing it differently,” he said. “We are one of those. By that I mean I wouldn’t say we are looking to punt it forward quickly and play for second balls. We are possession-based, patient and try to get forward-thinking players on the ball as often as possible. The same as Leeds, Reading, Fulham, Middlesbrough. But if you do play that way you have to be aware of the dangers of the other side of the game.”

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James Maddison’s thumping winner at the Riverside underlined the creative potential in Daniel Farke’s squad.

“I would say we have an embarrassment of riches there,” said Jerome. “Wes (Hoolahan) is Wes. Marley (Watkins) and Mario (Watkins) have come in, who looks a good talent on the ball. I think there are players who can do a job here and now.

“Alex (Pritchard) is on the sidelines. He is making good progress. In my eyes, Alex would probably walk into any team in the division so he is going to be a big blow but the other lads have stepped up to the plate.”

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