City legends back Roeder

Two Norwich City legends last night gave a ringing endorsement of the abilities of new manager Glenn Roeder - and urged everyone at the club to “get behind him”.

Former Canary captain Craig Fleming and ex-City boss Dave Stringer praised the new man's “good reputation” and “strong character”, which they said would combine to help him get the club out of its current mess.

Stringer, who was part of the interview panel that selected Roeder, said he would not be “fazed” by the relegation battle.

He said Roeder's first job was to raise the confidence of the players and get them to “roll their sleeves up”. And when asked if the players would be pleased by the appointment, he said: “It's not a question of them being pleased. It's a question of them being given leadership and direction.”

Stringer said that the interview panel had approached its task in an “honest and thorough way” and the members were delighted with the result.

He said Roeder had a preference for passing football true to Norwich's traditions, but added that the beautiful game might be for another day. “You don't always play the nice way. Sometimes it's a case of scrapping it out.”

King's Lynn defender Fleming said: “The club was looking for someone with experience, and Roeder certainly has that, with two very big clubs.”

Fleming added that he thought the current City squad would be pleased with what he believed was a “solid” appointment. And he said some of the other managers mentioned as contenders might have “scared” the squad with some of their methods.

He said: “I don't know him very well, but he has a very good reputation in the game. He is the manager of Norwich City now and it is time for everyone, the board, the players and the fans to get behind him.”