OLIVER NORWOOD today warned Sheffield Wednesday and the rest of the Championship: “We’re not just here to make up the numbers.”
Town’s 21-year-old Northern Ireland international midfielder is enjoying playing alongside Keith Southern and in a new-look team already making their mark in the second tier after last season’s promotion from League I.
Norwood feels there’s much more to come from Simon Grayson’s squad and reckons there is no reason why Town can’t prosper at Hillsborough tonight.
“Our dressing room has got a lot of quality in it and if we stick together, like we did against Derby on Saturday, then we are capable of taking on anyone in this league,” said the former Manchester United man, who is targeting a first away win of the campaign against Dave Jones’ side, who have also moved up.
“The team spirit is great, with people putting their bodies on the line for each other, and we want to pick up as many points as we can as quickly as possible.
“It’s no surprise to me that we’ve made such a decent start to the season because when you fill a dressing room with quality it’s going to shine through.
“When you look at the people the gaffer has brought in, working alongside the ones who were already here, then I don’t think many people will be looking forward to playing us.
“People will be looking over their shoulders and rightly so, because we are not just here to make up the numbers.”
Norwood says communication among the players has been key to Town’s form and saluted Southern for his impact.
“It’s great for me playing alongside Keith in the centre because he has helped me, as a young lad, with his experience,” said Norwood.
“His performance against Derby was different class, but in every game we’ve looked very solid and that’s what the gaffer wants.
“Everyone is working their socks off and Keith’s knowledge of the game is a massive help. You have to respect someone like that because you don’t play 10 years at a club (Blackpool) without knowing the game. Keith is good to talk to and we just need to keep on dong what we are doing.
“I don’t think we have anything to fear, because we have shown we can compete with anyone at this level. There are no easy games, but there’s a really positive approach at this club and we believe we can go to places like Hillsborough and get something out of the game.
“It’s a derby, and we want to come home with the bragging rights, but we know we’ll have to earn the right to play and to take the points.”
