Norwich City fan Edward Seaman says: Impact is becoming clear following Phelan’s arrival

In the build-up to Saturday’s match against Derby, I had heard the infamous Neil Adams commentary from the last time the two teams met many times, and as City pushed for a winner late on, I thought here we go again.

However, we had to settle for a point and Steven Whittaker’s late equaliser was the least City deserved away at one of the top teams in the division.

After an even first-half, in which I thought it was harsh on us to be behind at the break, City stepped it up in the second, and barring a clumsy error from Carlos Cuéllar, it could have been all three points.

Coming from behind twice showed real character and a resoluteness that perhaps has been missing at times, not only this season, but over the past couple of years.

For that, I think it is appropriate to give some credit to Mike Phelan, who after a few full weeks working with the team, seems to be having an impact.

We all knew the wealth of experience he was bringing to the set-up at City and that is rubbing off on the players in terms of their game management and tactical awareness.

A player I want to give credit to following the Derby game is midfielder Bradley Johnson, a player who at times receives unfair criticism in my opinion.

He effectively started on the left of a midfield four and I thought he was excellent, his energy and desire was second to none, he’s physical and he offers that extra something in the air.

The midfield four Adams has sent out for the last three games is certainly unconventional, but clearly it is working.

City are far more solid as a unit, and it provides the chance for Nathan Redmond and Wes Hoolahan to have that impact off the bench, as they have done in recent games.

Saturday’s point does leave us four points from the play-offs going into the festive period but if the team continue to play as they are, it won’t be long before we are back in the thick of it.