I can understand players who aren’t always glued to the television every time there is a match on. We are involved in football so much, it’s nice to switch off from the game at times.

Having said that, I didn’t have much choice on Monday night! Norwich City are Blackburn’s opponents on Saturday which is a massive game for both clubs. So it was vital to see them play on Sky against Manchester City to see if I could pick up any tips how to play against them.

What I tend to do is watch the defenders throughout the game, see which foot they are more comfortable on, see if I think there are weaknesses to try and capitalise on.

I was rooting for Man City with Norwich down near the bottom like us. If the handball near the end had resulted in a penalty, Norwich would have lost.

But they worked their socks off and never backed down.

I am glad to say I’ve put a few away in training against Brad Friedel this week, my finishing is coming back and I just want to translate that on the pitch.

The 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Saturday, when I came on as sub, was a real confidence booster for everyone. We have had a tough time so to get a result against a team like Liverpool is pleasing.

At the time of my last column, Mark Hughes had just joined the club as manager. Since then I’ve had the chance to have a few one-to-ones with him.

It has been really good to have that strikers’ view including the technical stuff like how to get your body in the right position to hold people off.

It’s part of my game I want to improve on and he was one of the best.

I did get booked on Saturday but that’s nothing to do with Mark! Probably more frustration on my part, when you come on as sub you are so eager to do well.

The game was marred a bit by the injury to Djibril Cisse. At first we couldn’t work out why he had gone down because it was a nothing challenge really. But his leg must have locked. Our doctor went on with the Liverpool doctor to have a look at Cisse and came back to the dug-out and told us what happened. I am devastated for the lad. It’s every striker’s worst nightmare to have that happen.

Somebody told me about the Ipswich player Ian Westlake beating Karen Pickering, who is a Commonwealth champion, at swimming.

I used to swim for Yorkshire under-13s before I started taking football seriously but I only go to the pool now for a cool down after games when the water relaxes your muscles.

The funny part is that I know Ian through the England set-up – and he never mentioned his swimming prowess. Well done to him and I’m not going to lay down a challenge!

Jon was speaking to Joe Bernstein