Norwich boss Peter Grant predicts a blue collar battle in their Championship affair against Barnsley. Grant accepts City's chances of moving into relatively calm mid table waters rest on matching the Tykes' honest endeavour.

Norwich boss Peter Grant predicts a blue collar battle in today's Championship affair against Barnsley.

Grant accepts City's chances of moving into relatively calm mid table waters rest on matching the Tykes' honest endeavour.

The City chief insists Barnsley will not relinquish their hard won Championship status without a scrap after watching Simon Davey's men defy Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

“I thought they were terrific on the night,” said Grant, reflecting on the Reds 1-0 win. “People can say Stoke didn't do this or that but it was because Barnsley didn't allow them to. You have to give them great credit. For me, with a little bit more care they could've won comfortably. They've actually got a few lads who can play, which is probably where they've struggled because in this division there is a lot of physical teams.

“The two Hungarian boys have come in and given them a big boost. They chased every lost cause against Stoke, put defenders under pressure and got their rewards. The whole team never gave Stoke a minute to relax. Right from the off the work ethic, courage and determination were spot on.

“Our work ethic has been fantastic - 100% - ever since I came in. At times there has been a lack of quality but we've had effort and desire in abundance. It's those qualities that have got us through a difficult time.”

Grant is under no illusions Norwich will need to dodge muck and bullets again as the Canaries' bid to build on Tuesday's last gasp win at Luton.

“It's another tough place to go, another team fighting for their lives,” he said. “We're right in there so we know what to expect, but I'd be chuffed to pick up back-to-back away wins and if we go with the correct approach I always fancy us.

“The first thing we spoke about after Luton was this game - even before the boys went back out to do their warm down. Barnsley is now the most important fixture in our calendar.”

Grant is taking all the extra belief going from his side's Hatters' comeback.

“Winning games makes it a happier place but the spirit in the camp has never been a problem,” he said. “I don't like negative people around me - it brings everyone down and I won't have it. When you get beat the next couple of days are hard but if you've lost then you just have to go again. For me, up to the Coventry game recent performances have been good - it was just results.

“That's why I was chuffed for the team at Luton. They've had to put up with a lot of criticism, we've had to move the team about and finally they got some rewards. We've reached the same levels in other games and got nothing. I thought we were excellent against Wolves and we had nothing to show for it. That's football. Its results orientated.”