Snodgrass urges Canaries to dig deep
Robert Snodgrass has called for Norwich to overcome the hurt of the embarrassing losses to Liverpool and Luton by digging deep to compound Tottenham's woes after their FA Cup exit.
The Scotland midfielder was a frustrated onlooker for the loss to Luton as the Canaries became the first team in the Premier League era to exit the FA Cup to non-league opposition last Saturday.
But Snodgrass was involved in the previous week's 5-0 loss at Liverpool which means Norwich have one point from 18 entering the Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham, who lost their FA Cup fourth-round clash to Leeds.
The 25-year-old, who has been a key player for a Norwich side which had a 10-game unbeaten run earlier this season, said: "Seasons are full of ups and downs. We're going through that stage just now that most teams go through.
"You need to show character. I've said that word `belief' many times, because it takes that.
"We've got a great squad of boys and you need to dig deep at times like this, hopefully grind out a few results and pick ourselves back up."
The midweek arrival of Spurs to Carrow Road is welcome, following the reverse to the Hatters.
"It's a great time to have a midweek game and hopefully we can get back to winning ways," Snodgrass added.
"We've already beaten Spurs at home (in the Capital One Cup). We ran them close down there at White Hart Lane (drawing 1-1).
"It will be a tough task, but I believe we've got the character, strength, depth, the full lot in the squad that we can go and do it."
Snodgrass is among the players poised to return following the Luton defeat.
Defender Sebastien Bassong has recovered from a calf injury and Steven Whittaker is fit again following a hip problem.
Steve Morison (thigh) could be available for the weekend match with QPR, but England goalkeeper John Ruddy (thigh) remains out.
Meanwhile, Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is looking for new signing Lewis Holtby to add an extra dimension to his side and has also quashed rumours Jermain Defoe requires surgery on a recent injury.
Holtby, 22, had already agreed a deal to move to White Hart Lane from Schalke in the summer at the end of his contract but the move has been brought forward and the Germany international could make his Barclays Premier League debut as early as Wednesday night.
Villas-Boas has two strikers at the club in Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor but Defoe suffered an injury that ruled him out of the FA Cup defeat at Leeds and Adebayor is away at the African Nations Cup with Togo.
Despite not seemingly aiming to sign a striker, the former Chelsea boss is hopeful #1.5million acquisition Holtby can make an immediate impact on his squad.
"We rate the player very highly," he said.
"We managed to get him at a good price, it was always a question of how much Schalke would want for the player.
"I think there was willingness from the player to come early so we have decided to add him to the squad - he is an extremely talented attacking midfielder who can play in a variety of roles.
"He is used to playing in different positions, he is young and talented - I think he is an excellent addition for us.
"He has been selected for the game (at Norwich) - he has just had one training session so we will decide wisely if it (playing) is appropriate or not."
There were reports that Defoe would require surgery after sitting out the Leeds game but Villas-Boas played that down and stressed he still does not feel he needs to make a move for a new forward in the window.
When asked if Defoe required an operation he said: "No, it is not true.
"It is extremely important (that Defoe can play), we have spoken openly about this situation and we know it is a situation of risk and limit but we are happy to take that risk at the moment. We are fine as we stand - it is something we are not considering."
The England international missed out at Leeds with a pelvic injury but has had an injection to help him be fit to face the Canaries.
Defender William Gallas is fit after a calf problem but Emmanuel Adebayor (African Cup of Nations), Younes Kaboul and Sandro (both knee) are all missing and Tom Huddlestone (leg) will not be risked.
Source: PA
Source: PA