Manning 'excited' by task ahead as pressure grows

Liam Manning has previously managed Lommel, Milton Keynes Dons, Oxford United and Bristol City

Played five at home, lost five - followed by defeat in an East Anglian derby for the first time in 16 years.

It is a huge understatement to say that things have not gone according to plan for Norwich City boss Liam Manning.

He left Bristol City four months ago to take charge of his hometown team and fate has decreed that the Robins are the next visitors to Carrow Road on Saturday as Manning urgently tries to turn Norwich's form around.

The 40-year-old has neither the inclination nor the time, though, to feel sorry for himself.

"There's so much work to do but that's still the bit that excites me," he told BBC Look East.

"It doesn't make it any better but you have to move on, focus on what's next and make sure you get ready for that. Would I have loved it to be straightforward? Of course. But in reality you know it's not going to be like that.

"It's a big challenge but heads down, fight, keep pushing, and do everything we can to turn it (around).

"I can't control the past, all I can do I can do is learn from it, reflect on it, use it to make our lads better, use it to bring us tighter as a group and make sure we do everything in our power to try and change it. If you sit around feeling sorry for yourself, you're not going to change anything."

Oscar Schwartau equalised for Norwich in their recent game away to Ipswich Town, but they eventually lost it 3-1

Some fans were not slow to let Manning and his players know what they thought of their performances in the five league and cup home games so far.

The board, however, have so far kept faith with the man they brought in to replace Johannes Hoff Thorup, having decided that Jack Wilshere - now Luton Town manager - was not the man to take the club forward after two matches as interim boss at the end of last season.

So what is not working for Norwich at the moment?

"The million dollar question," said Manning. "It's a combination of things - we've shot ourselves in the foot too many times.

"When I look at the last two, results were definitely not what we want and in terms of the performance element, we know in Championship football the margins are so fine - when you make errors like we have, you get punished."

There are those who think the game against Bristol City, who Manning took to the Championship play-offs in May, could be 'last-chance saloon' but he will not waste his time thinking about that.

"You have to call on (past) experiences, you have to understand (the situation) and really be strong in what you believe in and how you're working, that's the bit that will get the result we need," he added.

'He comes out fighting, that's his default'

Pink 'Un football editor Paddy Davitt says Norwich's form cannot continue

Is the current situation taking a toll on the City head coach? Not so, based on his demeanour at the pre-match press conference.

"I thought he was very bullish," said Pink 'Un football editor Paddy Davitt.

"Nobody's glossing over that the situation isn't where it needs to be but in Liam Manning you've got a head coach who certainly isn't going to shy away from a challenge.

"As he said, at every stage of his career, (when) his back's against the wall, he comes out fighting, that's his default."

Norwich are 19th in the table, just two points clear of the relegation places, and they certainly cannot afford a sixth successive home loss.

"It's a big week ahead. They need to put that Carrow Road curse, that hoodoo, to one side and then they've got Derby and Swansea away from home, two very difficult assignments, but he needs to turbocharge what hasn't happened thus far," said Davitt.

BBC Radio Norfolk's The Scrimmage pundit Chris Reeve believes "a storm" is hanging over Carrow Road at the moment and time may be running out for the man in charge.

"It saddens me to say that, the pressure is mounting on Liam Manning now. This game, this weekend, is huge for Norwich City," he said.

"I don't think this is just a Liam Manning problem. It's sad to think he could be the next fall guy."

"The size of our club, the expectations that the club themselves set out at the start of the season, means we should absolutely be doing better than our really poor start."

He added: "I am really concerned that the script is written, Bristol City score early, the Carrow Road faithful turn on their team and then it's going to be really tough for the boys on the back of the first derby defeat in 16 years.

"I hope I'm wrong, I want to believe this is the moment our season turns. Do I truly believe that? I don't think so."