CHRIS WISE City boss Nigel Worthington issued a heart-felt plea for unity after guiding his side to a second home victory in the space of five days.

CHRIS WISE

City boss Nigel Worthington issued a heart-felt plea for unity after guiding his side to a second home victory in the space of five days.

Worthington felt they benefited from some excellent support from the stands on Saturday and is now hoping for more of the same from fans who had been quick to display their frustrations over a disappointing season during City's previous game against Brighton.

"I was pleased with the atmosphere today - that is something you have got to have in grounds," said the City boss.

"Tuesday night was not a pleasant situation. When your team is winning and people are booing their own players it is not nice.

"It is something that happens in football and for us to move forward as a club we could do without it, it's as simple as that.

"I think there were a lot of true supporters out there today who knew the situation, got behind their football club and helped us to our victory.

"Regardless of who the players are, who the manager is ,you are a lot stronger if you are all together. We have proved that in the past and we will prove it again."

With everyone pulling in the same direction the Canaries moved to within nine points off the play-off zone and although the likes of Preston and Crystal Palace have games in hand Worthington believes there is still everything to play for, especially as his side visit Selhurst Park in their next game.

"There is a little bit of work to be done, we know that," he said. "All we can do is keep our heads down, keep working hard and build on the great week we have just had.

"There are 33 points to play for and we will try to get as many as those as we can and see where it leaves us.

"You know games against Crystal Palace will be hard-fought and very competitive. I know what to expect and I am looking forward to it."

Worthington was pleased with way his side went about their business on Saturday, adding: "I thought there were good performances all around and that is very important. That's three games in a row that we have put out the same team and a bit of continuity and stability always helps.

"Three games in a week is never easy but we won by two goals and it could have been more. I thought the application and attitude out there was first class and I don't thing there is any doubt that we deserved the three points.

"I was also delighted with the mental side today, and the character shown by the players."

Meanwhile, Derby caretaker boss Terry Westley believes the Canaries have got what it takes to mount a late challenge for the play-offs.

The one-time Diss Town manager said of Norwich: "I was very impressed with them and it surprises me that they are not a lot higher up in the table.

"But I'm not ruling them out of the promotion race just yet and it wouldn't surprise me at all if they went on a run of seven straight wins, or something like that, to push themselves right back into it."

He added: "I can't argue with the result. They were clearly the better side on the day and deserved to win. But ultimately we did not have enough quality in the final third."