Christoph Zimmermann is targeting a Premier League great escape with Norwich City, but insists they will have to learn how to defend leads in their quest for safety.

The German is looking to defy the odds again, with City's top-flight status looking precarious as they face relegation threatened Bournemouth at Carrow Road this afternoon.

A win against the Cherries could prove to be the spark the Canaries require to turn the tide, as they look for a response to last week's 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford.

City have taken the lead at Carrow Road in each of their last five games, but haven't converted that into wins.

The Canaries also rank 12th for open-play chance creation, but have conceded the most goals in the division this season.

The Pink Un: Zimmermann insists City must learn to defend leads better. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images LtdZimmermann insists City must learn to defend leads better. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

"It's positive that we can score, but we need to learn how to defend the lead," Zimmermann said.

"We were in the lead for a long time against Crystal Palace and took it twice against Tottenham. When you don't go on to win those games, they feel like points that are missing.

"We have to be self-critical; it's not always unlucky or that fate is against us. We need to improve and value the lead more to get the result."

Zimmermann is focusing on a great escape with City, something that would topple the achievements of last season.

The Pink Un: Sunderland completed a 'great escape' of their own in 2014, relegating Norwich City in the process. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images LtdSunderland completed a 'great escape' of their own in 2014, relegating Norwich City in the process. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

"Sunderland did it in 2014 and Leicester City did it in 2015," he told City's official website.

"Those sides have shown it's possible. They found the moment to turn it around. We can't just say we've been playing well and were unlucky not to get the right results. Watford have won 13 points from the last six games, so they've had an incredible turnaround. They changed the manager, whereas Southampton didn't but have been doing well too.

"It might be that you just need that one win to bring belief that we can win games. We're not getting out of the drop zone by just drawing games. We've only won three this season, so we need to improve our winning rate and our rate of winning games when in the lead."