Players want situation resolved, says keeper

JONATHAN REDHEAD

Norwich City goalkeeper David Marshall has admitted he is very keen to make a good impression as the name of the new manager continues to occupy minds at Carrow Road.

The Scotland international says players would like the Canaries vacancy filled as soon as possible to end the constant speculation surrounding the club.

But he is sure the new man will be watching this weekend's clash away at West Bromwich Albion and it's up to everybody to impress the new boss - whoever he may be.

“It's hard,” the stopper, arguably City's best performer this season, said. “Obviously the players would like it resolved one way or the other if Jim's (Duffy) going to take charge or a new manager. I think the most important thing is to get the right manager in because we're not in a good position in the league.

“It takes time and there are a few clubs in the Championship looking for a manager and as long as we get the right man appointed that's the most important thing.

“I suppose everybody would prefer and experienced manager but it's just up to who's available and who wants the job.

“Obviously there's a lot of speculation in the press so the players are talking about it all the time and talking about the games and stuff because we're disappointed at how the season's gone.

“It's important to us to get out of this position and hopefully we get someone appointed soon and start again.

“Everybody's trying to impress, obviously, if a new manager's watching or Jim gets the job. But we just have to get our heads down and get on with it.”

Getting on with it involves a difficult trip to the Hawthorns where Albion have been banging in goals left, right and centre this season, under the stewardship of Tony Mowbray.

But Marshall is imploring his team-mates to score the first goal on Saturday to help relieve the pressure on himself and the side's defenders.

And he is convinced if City can get their retaliation in first and open the scoring, for the first time since they beat Crystal Palace last month, they will be transformed into a better side.

“We've only scored two goals in the last eight games but we've not taken the lead in eight games so it's hard,” Marshall said.

“If you take the lead it gives you something to hold onto and spaces open up maybe you can get another, so hopefully in the next few games we can get the first goal and you'll see a difference then. If we can get the first goal on Saturday and the next few games we'll maybe see a difference

“Only a quarter gone and I think we're better than that. I'm aiming a lot higher and two or three wins on the trot and you go up a good few places in this league so I'm aiming higher than just a relegation battle.”

“When I signed I didn't think we'd be in this position but our performances haven't been good enough and obviously the results have shown that. It's a tough position to be in although there's a long way to go in the league. Hopefully if we get somebody appointed soon we'll get a lot better.”

However, West Brom is not the ideal place to start trying to turn things around.

“They've struggled away from home but are very strong at home,” Marshall said. “It's a hard game but they've all been tough games. The boys have not played the real top sides as well yet so we've got some tough games coming up like the Derby and Watford as well.

“We have to get points from somewhere because we've not done well the last few weeks so hopefully they'll come on Saturday.

“(Kevin) Phillips has scored a lot of goals this season as had the boy (Ishmael) Miller. They've got a lot of good options and on the bench because might mate (Craig) Beattie from Celtic signed in the summer and at home they've been very good and scoring a lot of goals so we'll have to be a lot sharper than we were in the first five minutes up the road.

“So it'll be a tough game but we can cause them problems, I know we can.”