With no game this weekend, the lads have had some training and will get a bit of time off before we are back in action next week against Spurs.

We've now got four Premiership games under our belt, and though we've drawn two and lost two, I've been very pleased with the performance level.  It's been very encouraging, and it's been a thoroughly enjoyable experience so far, with trips to Newcastle and Old Trafford and having Arsenal at Carrow Road.  We knew it was going to be a tough challenge and we've learned about the gap between Division one and the Premiership very quickly.

We've noticed, playing against two of last season's top three teams, the sheer ruthlessness of this league. Any half-chances have ended up in the back of the net, and it's something that we've got to try and get in our locker sooner rather than later.

The players are really enjoying themselves in the top flight and they are showing it in their performances.  They've done exceptionally well, passed the ball well and they are doing just what I'm asking of them - to play good football. If we can carry on doing that and keep believing in ourselves then we'll certainly deserve to get the points that will keep us in the Premier League.


This weekend, though, I'll be keeping an eye on Group Six action.  Of course England are playing, and with Robert Green in the squad it's a big honour for Norwich City, but also in the same group is Northern Ireland, and I'll watching out for their result against Poland.

Since Lawrie Sanchez took over they've had some good results and it really pleases me to see them doing well.  Northern Ireland have slipped too far down the world rankings, it's been hard times, but it's looking much better now and hopefully they can start moving up the ladder.

It will be very interesting when England and Northern Ireland meet at the start of next year.  Potentially we could have Robert involved and also Phil Mulryne and Paul McVeigh in the Irish camp. 

It has been a long time since the two countries have met and a lot of water has passed under the bridge. In fact I was playing in the last game 17 years ago at Windsor Park when England won 2-0, so the match in March will be like a long-awaited derby game, with pride at stake. 

England will no doubt be favourites, they have lots of quality players while Northern Ireland is going through a lean time as far as players able to compete at the highest level is concerned.  As much as I'd like to see the team do well, it would be very risky to bet against England.

But that fixture is a long way off in football terms. For me we've got this short break at club-level when I can look back at what we've done so far and take the positives forward to the next game. We'll certainly have to stay on our toes, with Tottenham, Aston Villa and Liverpool our next three games.  

The Premiership's a great place to be.

Nigel Worthington