Walsall have the edge warns Smith

Walsall defender Manny Smith believes the team have the psychological edge over Norwich as they aim to spring another shock on the league leaders.

The Saddlers are the only team to stop the red-hot Canaries scoring in League One this season, after their goalless draw at Carrow Road in September.

The only other game Norwich haven't scored in was their Johnstone's Paint Trophy quarter final clash at Swindon, which finished goalless but saw City prevail 5-3 on penalties.

Paul Lambert's pacesetters have plundered 60 goals in their rise to the summit with Grant Holt, Wes Hoolahan and Chris Martin netting 38 between them.

But the Saddlers have been boosted with the news 23-goal Holt is suspended, following his red card in the Canaries' 1-0 win over Brentford on Saturday.

Smith - an immoveable object when the teams last met - now believes Norwich will be worried about drawing another blank.

He said: "We're the only team to stop them scoring in the league and it will be on their minds. It's always good to take a team by surprise, especially Norwich. Against the better sides we're expected to lose so everyone gives 100 per cent and puts in big performances.

"There's no reason why we can't win if everyone is on their game. The performances are there, we just need the goals."

Oli Johnson is set to replace Holt but with Hoolahan and Martin, who has seven goals in his last eight games, Smith knows the Canaries still pack a punch up front.

The defender said: "You look for the attackers, but if we shut them up and attack them anything can happen. If we block their man strikers they could struggle. We need everyone on their game, we can't afford to carry anyone and if we work as a unit and train well we'll be at 100 per cent to do our best as a team.

"When we play against the bigger teams, if we're too worried to get on the ball it's impossible for people to play well. If we go out there with no fear we can come together as a unit."

Smith could be partnered by Mark Hughes or Clayton McDonald, who is ready to step in should skipper Hughes fail to shake off his ankle knock. Steve Jones is also battling against his groin injury and is nearing a first-team return.

But Smith warns whoever plays will have to focus, after Norwich hit five in their last away outing at Colchester.

He said: "You need help around you, the centre-back and right-back. I must concentrate and be better than the person I'm playing against. We can't make it easy for them and it's up to us to stop them.

"Clayton, Jamie Vincent, Darryl Westlake and I defended well last time we played them, communicated well and we weren't scared with the ball. The bigger sides and better players need one or two chances.

"Concentration is a big thing, we need to concentrate for the whole game, not just 70 minutes."

Boss Chris Hutchings is also wary of the Canaries' threat, with the visitors 77 goals in all competitions coming from 15 different scorers.

He said: "They've been scoring goals for fun. They change the system quite a bit and Paul's brought Hoolahan back into the equation, sometimes he plays as a striker or behind the strikers.

"But you can't think about one player, you have to think about them all. If we have to change during the game we might do. We don't look to do it but we have to be aware of their strengths."

Norwich boss Lambert, who is sweating on the fitness of right-back Russell Martin, has hailed the Canaries' character after they beat Brentford despite playing 50 minutes with 10 men.

He said: "They don't surprise me, as they seem to have a really great desire at the minute. The ability is always there and they have terrific hunger but it's getting the two of them together, if you get the ability and the hunger then you can drive on.

"The lads have turned it around themselves, they are the ones who go out and play every single week and, as long as you can get effort from people, that is all I can ask."