Former Norwich City star Iwan Roberts has warned the Canaries stars not to think about their derby with Ipswich Town on December 16 just yet as it will distract them from their upcoming matches.
Norwich last played Ipswich in October 2019 and will face Tractor Boys in the East Anglian derby on December 16.
However, the Canaries still have two games before the derby as they host Preston North End at Carrow Road this weekend before hosting Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.
Roberts believes Norwich fans have been thinking about the Ipswich game for some time, but warned players they cannot afford to lose focus on the Sheffield Wednesday and Preston matches by falling to the derby ‘East Anglian.
“The fans already have their derby in mind – the fans can do it, the players can’t do it,” Roberts wrote in his Pink Un column. “If players lose focus on the next game, they will be beaten when they think about December 16, a week and a bit away.
“Fans have been thinking about this for months.“They have been since Ipswich finished in the top two.“‘They’re going to beat us up on the 16th’ – that’s all I’ve seen on social media for months and months and months.”‘
If we play like that we’ll be attacked at Portman Road’.” Fans have been thinking about this for a long time because it hasn’t happened in a while.“Players shouldn’t think about that.
“The derby will take care of itself.“You have to make sure you are in a good position after the next two games.”
Norwich have taken nine points from 12 from their last four games and are focused on taking three points at Preston North End on Saturday.