Former Canaries favourite Steen Nedergaard says the club's supporters can push City towards a promotion challenge this season. The Danish defender rolled back the years when he played at Carrow Road for the first time in more than five years.

Former Canaries favourite Steen Nedergaard says the club's supporters can push City towards a promotion challenge this season.

The Danish defender rolled back the years when he played at Carrow Road for the first time in more than five years and talk of this season's prospects had him recalling the journey to the 2002 play-off final - and the factors which made City such a tough side to beat.

Chief among was the way City's fans became the team's 12th man - and how the team responded to them., home and away.

“If you start well and win some games the supporters will be right behind you from the start and that means as a player you can go on and play in a relaxed way,” said Nedergaard, 38.

“You feel a little bit unbeatable. We felt that most of the time at home in the three years I was here. We almost never lost at home. And in the couple of years we also started to win some away and it looked alright. Winning at home is the thing - they need to start doing that and I'm sure that will happen in the near future.

“I have to say Norwich is one of the best supported clubs - of course I played here but also I have been around many other stadiums with Norwich and they are always very supportive of the team and the thing is they are still showing up every Saturday, it's fantastic.”

Nedergaard, who works for the Danish PFA, still keeps a close watch on City's progress, on and off the field, but says success isn't all down to who has the most money.

“It is not all about the money,” he said. “It is important of course but if you can find that team spirit and the players can gel together, then they have enough quality in the dressing room to go out and finish near the top. It will be a very even league again like it was last season.

“I know they have played well, but haven't got the points, but everything is possible and they play some good football.

“It has been up and down. I think it was a tough season last year, but they recovered so hopefully they can forget about that and recover.

“I think with the squad they have now, they have started to put some quality in there and, touch wood, they will be up there among the top eight sides, and hopefully competing for the top six again.”

Nedergaard - who made 95 appearances for City but missed the 2002 play-off defeat by Birmingham because of injury - played in the exhibition match yesterday as part of the Norwich City Historical Trust's reunion event, his first trip back to the place he called home for three years.

“It is fantastic to be back here and good to catch up with a few I played with and also to see some of the former players who have played over the years,” he said. “Of course, there are a few people missing, but it is still a fantastic stadium, a very good club and pitch is excellent.”