Alex Neil says Norwich are ready to return

Norwich City Manager Alex Neil Championship

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Norwich City boss Alex Neil says the club are ready to return to the Premier League as they prepare to face Middlesbrough in the Championship Playoff Final at Wembley.

The Canaries have lost both games against Middlesbrough in the league this season but they eventually finished a point above Aitor Karanka’s team.

Neil, who joined Norwich in January from Scottish Premiership outfit Hamilton Academicals, says the entire club is geared for a return to the elite division.

“We are set up to return to the Premier League, no question. The training ground, the squad, how everything is run very professionally – we are set up to move on the next level,” he said.

Norwich are 2.61 to win the game against Middlesbrough, who are 2.71, with the draw 3.05.

Neil is the second youngest manager in the Football League currently and he says his good work since arriving at Carrow Road has been driven by the fear of failing.

“The fear of failure, in terms of letting the players down, the fans, and the club, has certainly driven me and will continue to drive me,” he said.

Since he arrived at the club, Norwich have climbed from seventh in the table to finish third, only narrowly missing out on automatic promotion to the top flight.

At just 33-years-old, the Scot is aware there were some raised eyebrows when he got the Norwich job, but he says he was not overawed by the challenge and that his players have been positive about his approach.

“I had confidence I could do the job, you just hope it all goes to plan, but that is easier said than done. A lot of the staff in the background, and the players, they have they taken to my ideas and determination and the will to win.”

Norwich are 1.91 to be promoted to the Premier League.

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