Mat's on title mission

[Huckerbys right foot]

In-form Norwich City striker Mathias Svensson has his sights set firmly on a second Division One title in the space of four years - and he's convinced the high-flying Canaries have got what it takes to make his dream come true.

A place in the Premiership may have been secured, but City still have the championship to play for and know they need to make it six wins on the trot at Watford this afternoon to keep persistent challengers West Bromwich Albion at arm's length.

Gary Megson's side, who are just two points behind the long-term league leaders, will surely prove too strong for already relegated Bradford at the Hawthorns today. So the onus is firmly on City to keep producing the goods and Svensson made it quite clear that there would be no slacking between now and the end of the season - even though the main prize was already in the bag.

The Swedish frontman, whose six goals in five games helped propel the Canaries towards the top flight, borrowed a line from a striker he is hoping to emulate next season as he stressed the importance of today's fixture.

With more than 4500 jubilant Norwich fans in attendance, there is bound to be a carnival atmosphere at Vicarage Road - and Svensson is determined to give the party people something else to celebrate at the end of what promises to be a memorable afternoon.

"I won the league with Charlton in 2000 and that was a great feeling. Now I want to do it again with Norwich," he said.

"I heard an interview with Alan Shearer this week and he said that if he had to chose between winning the UEFA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League he would go for the silverware every time.

"I fully understand that. Just like Shearer I think medals are what we are after now.

"It always adds an extra touch of spice to promotion when you actually win something, I know that from personal experience, so we're all totally focused on the title. We've had a little celebration and now we want to start winning games again, starting at Watford. There will be no slacking from us now.

"There are four games to play and I would say we need to win three of them to be almost certain of winning the league. We don't want to be worrying about what West Brom do.

"There will be a huge fan base down there and we want to win the game for them, and ourselves."

For the next two weeks Svensson will be totally focused on Division One matters. If and when the title is secured - and only four straight wins will guarantee it - there will be another exciting challenge to look forward to.

As part of the Charlton side who went up, and then stayed up, the 29-year-old striker is in a good position to comment on Norwich City's chances of building on what they have achieved this season. And he isn't taking too much notice of the gloom merchants who are already suggesting Nigel Worthington's side will come straight back down again next term.

He knows from personal experience that unfancied clubs can make their mark at the very highest level - and feels the Canaries have got every chance of following in the footsteps of his former club.

"People always say the same thing about clubs who have just gone up," he said. "I remember when I went up with Charlton the so-called experts were saying we would finish bottom of the league the next season and had absolutely no chance.

"Charlton ended up finishing ninth the following year - and they are still there now so you don't want to believe everything you read!

"There is such a big buzz around the club now and we need to build on that. If we add a couple of new faces and work as hard as we have been doing this season I don't see any reason why we shouldn't hold our own in the Premiership. Charlton have done it, why can't we?

"There is a little bit of quality in the squad already, that's why we are where we are now. We are top because we are the best team in this division."

He added: "I think Charlton are a good role model for Norwich to follow. They get similar sized crowds and they run the club in a very sensible fashion. They go about their business quietly, keeping a low profile.

"They don't bring in any superstars on massive wages. Alan Curbishley has brought in good, solid players who he thinks will bring something to the squad. He hasn't made too many bad decisions and you can see the benefit of that approach out on the pitch.

"After a couple of seasons of establishing themselves they are now challenging for Europe and could even make it into the Champions League. That shows what can be done and I'm sure this club will take a similar, level-headed approach."

On a personal level Svensson is understandably delighted with the way things have panned out since a minor knee operation halted his early progress at Carrow Road. He had played just three games for the Canaries when he went under the surgeon's knife, but has more than made up for lost time since returning to the starting line-up a little over a month ago - and the title isn't the only thing in his sights as he prepares for the final run-in.

"I'm still hoping to be in the Swedish squad for Euro 2004," he said. "No one has spoken to me yet but the press in Sweden are raving that I should go. They asked the management and they said 'He's doing well and we'll probably have to take a look at him'. But I haven't got the call yet, and there isn't another friendly before the squad for Portugal is announced so I guess it's a long shot now.

"If I knocked in another couple of goals against Watford on Saturday who knows? The chances are that I will be watching the competition back home in Sweden, but I've not given up hope yet. In this game you never know what is round the corner.

"But whatever happens in the summer I'm obviously pleased with the way things are going for me. It's the best run of goals I can remember in English football.

"I said a little while ago 'Just give me games, just give me football and everything else will come'. I'm getting there now, not 100 per cent, but I'm getting there."

[mr.watford]

he was shet yesterday

[Huckerbys right foot]

he has his bad games

but then again Watford must know stuff like that