Three wins in a row have not only lifted spirits in Norfolk, but have given the rest a reminder of what can happen when City work up a head of steam.

Canaries legend Iwan Roberts says rival promotion hopefuls will be anxiously looking over their shoulders.

“They’ll be thinking, ‘Norwich are on a roll. Here they come’,” said Roberts. “They did it last year, albeit a bit later.

“Everybody thought Norwich would be there or thereabouts this time around. Yes, they’ve had a bad start, but all of a sudden that yellow and green train has started to leave the station.

“And people will take notice. They'll be looking over their shoulders thinking, ‘ah, here they come'.”

After a run of five consecutive league defeats – three of them at home - City have produced three wins on the bounce, the latest a 4-0 thumping of Derby at Pride Park in midweek. This weekend they head to Bristol City before the international break.

“If City can get 12 points out of these four games before the break, that's huge,” said Roberts.

“This run probably won’t define their season, but it puts them back on track.

“It’s a big thing staying unbeaten now. I think this week, if they get seven points from this week, that's not a bad total, and then you've got 10 days to get bodies rested and right for the busy Christmas period.”

City boss Philippe Clement has been hit by injuries to key midfield pair Kenny McLean and Pelle Mattsson, but Jacob Wright and Sam Field have slotted in perfectly.

What will Clement do when all four are fit?

“If it's a headache for him then it's a nice one to have,” said Roberts. “Both the lads who have come in have been really patient. I can imagine that Jacob Wright in particular was chomping at the bit to get a chance.

“I'm a firm believer that if you've got the position, you're playing well, you're winning games, I think you deserve to start. You hold the upper hand, don't you?