Next phase of the mission for City boss

Chris Lakey

Canaries boss Bryan Gunn has won half a dozen battles this summer - now he has to win the war.

City have gone through pre-season unbeaten, racking up six wins in seven outings - including eye-catching victories over Championship side Crystal Palace and, in their summer finale on Saturday, Premier League Wigan.

Add in a dozen new signings, brought in against a backdrop of long-term commitment to the club, and a growing undercurrent of enthusiasm for the season ahead and the future, for once looks bright.

But Gunn is the first to admit that the summer success story will count for nothing should City fail when it matters most, in League One.

The campaign begins at home to Colchester on Saturday, and by the time the end of August arrives, another four league games and a Carling Cup tie will prove just what a success his overhaul of the squad has been.

“I am really happy at the moment,” admitted Gunn. “I can't look back on the last six weeks and see anyone who has let themselves down in the training, in the way they have reported back, in the fitness levels and also in the matches that we have played so far.

“Obviously I would be really happy on Saturday night if all the good work turns into three points.

“Next Tuesday we're in the cup and the following week we have the opportunity to put more points on the board, and that's the benchmark now.

“The pre-season work has gone, we have achieved what we wanted to achieve from it in bringing back the winning mentality, all the fitness work that's gone on and the players integrating and the bonding. That's all worked.

“Now it's the next phase of the mission, which is to get the team on the pitch and winning.

“That's what we will be measured by now - pre-season was great, but it's gone.

“Saturday at 3pm you are into League One and that's where the benchmark has got to be now.”