Michael Bailey SLIDESHOW: Chris Martin believes there is no need to worry about Norwich City's firepower ahead of next season's Championship campaign. The Canaries made up for firing blanks in their friendly draw at Stevenage and defeat to Dagenham and Redbridge with a stirring 2-1 win over Premier League new boys Newcastle United at Carrow Road on Saturday.

Michael Bailey

Chris Martin believes there is no need to worry about Norwich City's firepower ahead of next season's Championship campaign.

The Canaries made up for firing blanks in their friendly draw at Stevenage and defeat to Dagenham and Redbridge with a stirring 2-1 win over Premier League new boys Newcastle United at Carrow Road on Saturday.

Martin was the two-goal star - but his first on 38 minutes owed everything to the magic of Wes Hoolahan, who showed exactly what City had missed during their final run to the League One title.

And the Irishman is one of the reasons why Martin is not fretting over the Canaries' capabilities in front of goal next season - even with Grant Holt's ongoing pre-season absence.

“We weren't worried; other people may have been but we're not,” said Martin about the earlier lack of goals.

“The manager definitely wasn't. He has still got faith in us, we've got faith in ourselves as players.

“We were always sure we were going to score goals, especially creating some of the chances we did today and some of the football we played.

“With people like Wes in the team, he showed today how good he is and we're definitely going to get chances next year, so we're not worried about that.”

Hoolahan was on hand to take full advantage of Ryan Taylor's sloppy pass as he twisted time and again past James Tavernier and Fabricio Coloccini before squaring to Martin, who could not miss.

“It was ridiculous; I was standing there just waiting for the ball - I think he served it up with a knife and fork ready to eat,” said Martin.

“It was on a plate, but he can do that. He can change a game in a matter of seconds and he did that today.

“He's a great player and I'm sure he'll be a great asset for us next year.”

Martin flicked home City's winner with 14 minutes remaining from Anthony McNamee's curling cross to trump Shola Ameobi's reply 80 seconds after the restart to give the home side a deserved win.

“I think our performances stepped up a level definitely from midweek,” said Martin.

“The lads were up for it, Premier League opposition coming down in the shape of Newcastle who are a very good side, and we can use that as a good measurement to what we want to achieve this year.

“You can't read too much into it because they might be a little bit behind us in terms of their preparation, who knows, but all we know is that we played very well today and we could take a lot of positives.

“We rode out the storm quite well when they had the ball, they didn't create too many great chances for themselves.

“But we also had some great spells - especially towards the end and early in the first half as well. We definitely played well today.”

Martin was happy to bag his first pre-season goals, as he prepares to try and emulate last season's tally of 22 in all competitions at a higher level.

“I haven't played as well as what I would like to have in midweek, but it's definitely a confidence boost today scoring a couple of goals and that can only help me moving forward,” he said.

“But we need to forget about today, knuckle down again, hard work in training - we've got a game midweek against Lincoln and we've got Everton next week - and we need to make sure we're prepared come the first game of the season against Watford.

“I don't think I'm 100 per cent fit, I don't think anybody really can be at this stage, but we just need to make sure we are 100 per cent for the Watford game come that Friday night.

“As long as we're ready for that game, it doesn't really matter too much about how we are in pre-season.”