McNamee - Promotion push back on track

Norwich City wide boy Anthony McNamee insists there was no need to panic after the Canaries got their League One promotion push back on track with a late, late Southend show.

Paul Lambert's men were heading for a third league defeat in four games before Oli Johnson's late midweek brace extended City's seven point gap to third-placed Colchester.

McNamee left Carrow Road clutching the man of the match bubbly after teeing up Johnson for his stoppage time winner.

Now the south Londoner senses a Shrimpers' comeback could be the launch pad for a decisive push over the run-in - beginning with Saturday's trip to Oldham.

'It was a massive result and we were happy just to get the three points,' said McNamee. 'Hopefully I can get in the team again for Saturday but we'll just have to wait and see what the manager decides. The dressing room was buzzing afterwards - especially after the disappointment of losing to Southampton and we managed to put things right.

'The results maybe haven't quite been going for us of late but there were no concerns among the lads because we have been creating chances. We know being top of the league that some teams come here and have nothing to lose and it's always hard but we just have to keep grinding out results. If we do that we can go straight up. We ended one run but now this can hopefully be the beginning of another ten game run to the end of the season.'

McNamee sparkled on his first start in City colours since an initial loan switch from Swindon was made permanent in the January transfer window.

'I was excited and a bit nervous before the game to be fair,' he said. 'But really I was just excited to get out there and from my first touch the nerves just disappeared and you get into the match. Luckily I had quite a few touches in the early part of the game and I like running at players so I get excited whenever the ball comes to me.

'I enjoy playing on the right because I don't mind going outside the defender as well but I also have the option of cutting back in because a lot of defenders don't like a player who can go inside as well.'

McNamee played down his role in City's stoppage time winner with an inch perfect corner for Johnson who crashed home an unstoppable header to complete the rescue mission.

'To be honest I was just hitting the ball into an area rather than trying to pick out Oli,' he said. 'I was just happy that we won the game and didn't care who scored. At 1-0 down we knew it was going to be a fight but I'm just happy Oli has come on and popped up with the goals. For me it wasn't a case that I thought it wasn't going to come because we had a lot of chances. I thought if we kept creating them then someone has to score.'

McNamee now feels his City career is finally up and running after an impressive full debut in front of an expectant Carrow Road home crowd.

Sections of the home support voiced their disapproval at half time with the hosts trailing - but McNamee insists that is par for the course.

'Playing in front of so many people is amazing,' he said. 'That is the reason I came here because I feel I thrive playing in front of that sort of crowd. I think going out in front of big crowds just motivates you even more, at Swindon we didn't have the sort of crowd you get here.

'There is always that pressure and expectancy to perform but for me personally I just try to enjoy it although it is difficult sometimes but when you are a young player you want to test yourself. We're top of the league and we expect to be winning so going in at half time maybe some of the crowd weren't happy if you are losing 1-0. They pay their money to come and watch so they are entitled to say what they want to say.'