Norwich City 'relieved' to break home wins record

Norwich defender Michael Nelson admitted City's playing squad were relieved to finally become record breakers. The weekend win against his former club Hartlepool set a new mark of 11 matches on the spin at Carrow Road and eclipsed a 24-year record set by Ken Brown's Division Two title-winning team.

Norwich defender Michael Nelson admitted City's playing squad were relieved to finally become record breakers. The weekend win against his former club Hartlepool set a new mark of 11 matches on the spin at Carrow Road and eclipsed a 24-year record set by Ken Brown's Division Two title-winning team.

"The record has been mentioned over recent weeks and we knew it was all on this game," he said. "But it was a very hard week having to play the majority of the game with 10 men against Brentford last Saturday, going to play on a ploughed field at Walsall on Tuesday then coming back here. We're happy to get nine points, get rested up and move on to Millwall."

Nelson, pictured, has grasped his opportunity to feature alongside Gary Doherty in the absence of injured Danish defender Jens Berthel Askou. New Stockport recruit Michael Rose announced his arrival with a match-winning debut against Hartlepool in place of injured left-back Adam Drury - and Nelson is convinced that proves City will cope with a gruelling run-in.

"It just emphasises the strength of the squad that he can make changes to the starting line-up and they can produce," he said. "He can also make changes during the game and they can make such a big impact as well. There are a lot of decent players at the club. Some of them can't even make the bench, so you know that's the strength in depth we have and I hope we can keep hold of everyone and carry it on to the end of the season.

"Michael did very well, I thought. It's always difficult. He trained with us on Friday, slotted in, did a job and scored the winner, not bad on your debut. I'm sure he'll settle in as the days and the weeks go by."

Nelson knew what to expect from his former club who pushed Paul Lambert's men all the way.

"Every team does that when they come here," he said. "They always seem to up their game in front of the big crowd. There's not a great deal of pressure on them. All the pressure is on us, especially with the way our record has been at home. But we coped well with it and showed our determination and belief to come from behind again."