GLENN Roeder might not be a dreamer, but even the City boss must be wondering what his side could yet achieve this season after Darel Russell's late winner against Preston moved the Canaries closer to the play-offs than the bottom three.

City sit just seven points away from the top-six, a virtually unthinkable scenario three months ago when Roeder arrived at Carrow Road with the Canaries in freefall.

Saturday's late, late show against the Lilywhites moved them eight points clear of the Championship drop-zone and extended City's unbeaten run in the league to 11 games.

Such form has not gone unnoticed, with even national press beginning to sense the Canaries could yet mount a late charge for the Premier League in the style of Crystal Palace and next week's opponents, Cardiff City.

Supporters too are buzzing at the prospect of an exciting finale to the campaign, rather than the nail-biting tension of a relegation scrap. But Roeder was keeping things firmly in perspective.

"I wonder what they were talking about at the end of October, on eight points? Interesting, isn't it? I'll not change the way I've always dealt with football. We'll just work next week towards going to Wales and playing against Cardiff and coming out of there with a good result and let the points and the position in the table take care of itself.

"We can do no more than win, which we've done today. But it's nice that maybe we've changed the thoughts of the fans. What was looking a desperate situation back in October is now looking much more positive as we come into February."

When Norwich slumped to a dismal 3-0 defeat at Plymouth back in November, the result left them marooned at the foot of the table. Player confidence was rock bottom.

Since then, the turnaround had been nothing short of miraculous. Roeder's dealings in the loan market have proved inspired, with the likes of Manchester City youngster Ched Evans giving Norwich an added dimension in the final third.

Success breeds success, and just as Norwich's losing run throughout the Autumn left players wondering how they would turn the corner, so this latest unbeaten streak sees them going onto the pitch with an invincible frame of mind.

Russell, who's 90th minute volley against Alan Irvine's side may yet be considered one of the key moments of the season come May, declared at full time that Norwich now felt unbeatable. So surely looking at a league table which now has Norwich neared the promotion places then the drop zone must be yet another psychological boost?

"I suppose it is," added Roeder. "I hadn't really given that much though. All I'm going to do, and what you must always do after a win, is enjoy Saturday night and then I'll have a day with my family on Sunday and Monday I'll start thinking about Cardiff next Saturday and making sure we go down there and come out of Wales with a good result. I'll let everyone else do the thinking and dreaming for me."