Steven Schumacher has challenged his players to embrace the atmosphere at Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon as Wanderers head to Norwich City looking to build on last weekend's victory over Cardiff City.
Thierry Gale's 90th-minute header settled a tight contest at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on 12 September and gave the Whites their second win of the Championship campaign.
"We were really pleased to win the game," Schumacher said. "We felt, even though we didn't play well, it was a result over the two-week period that we deserved, at least a win out of the five games. So we were happy with it, because three points in this division are obviously so important and vital, and we were just pleased to manage to get them."
A rare clear week has followed and the Head Coach has made the most of it.
"The mood's been good this week," he said. "It's been nice to have a clear week and focus on some detail on the training pitch and we're looking forward to Sunday's game."
Norwich were in action on Thursday night, losing 5-0 at Manchester City in the third round of the Carabao Cup, but Schumacher has read nothing into that result. The Canaries have taken six points from their last three league outings, winning at Sheffield United and at home to Birmingham City before losing at Middlesbrough.
"It doesn't affect our preparation at all," he said. "We went and watched the game last night and they made loads of changes. We said to the players today that I would expect them to still be fresh. They've got a big squad, loads of talent. They left players behind who didn't even travel with the group yesterday.
"We were expecting a really difficult game against a tough opponent on Sunday and not to worry too much about what went on against Man City, because they're playing one of the best teams, aren't they? So we won't worry too much and focus on that game. We know the detail of what's going to be required for us to get a result on Sunday and we've been working hard this week to try and do that."
Schumacher expects a serious test from a Norwich side stocked with second-tier know-how.
"They're a good team," he said. "They're dangerous. They're really, really strong. They've got really good forward players who are quick. They've got loads of Championship experience and a danger both with the ball trying to build and on transition moments.
"The form is pretty good and, as I say, it's not an easy place to go and play. Carrow Road, the atmosphere will be brilliant, and our players should be looking forward to the challenge and go and embrace it."
The trip comes at the end of a week in which Jack Bonham committed his future to the club, signing a one-year extension that keeps him at Wanderers until the summer of 2028. Schumacher was clear about why he wanted the goalkeeper tied down.
"I think he's a good character. He's somebody who I know is reliable," he said. "I've said loads of times how important he was for us last season. He made some really big saves for us this year.
"We wanted to try and strengthen the whole goalkeeping department. That's why we brought Gavin to the football club. But I also didn't want to lose Jack, so when we brought Gavin in, it was one of the first conversations that we had, that we'd be trying to secure his future, make sure that he's part of our squad for the next few years if possible, because we think he's a good goalkeeper. He's capable when he plays, but he's also a really good team-mate when he's not."
Gavin Bazunu arrived from Southampton on 28 August and marked his second appearance for the club with a clean sheet against Cardiff. This week he was named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the start of their Nations League campaign, his first senior call-up since November 2025. Schumacher sees the competition across the unit as a driver for everyone in it.
"It pushes the department and it makes you more competitive," he said. "We think we've got some good goalkeepers here. We really rate David Harrington, and obviously Nathan Broome has been in the squad for a long time. We think that we've got a strong enough department, and bringing competition in and bringing somebody in with Gavin's experience and his quality will raise the whole standard. You want them all to be pushing each other and to be competing for places, which is what we're seeing now."
On team news, the Head Coach reported a largely healthy squad. Luca Stephenson has returned to training, although Sunday is expected to come too soon, while Chris Forino will not travel as he recovers from a minor groin strain. Jayden Nelson trained on Friday after shaking off a niggle.
Sunday's fixture is the last before an extended international break, with club captain Eoin Toal joining up with Northern Ireland and Josh Sheehan reporting for Wales alongside Bazunu's trip with the Republic of Ireland. Schumacher intends to use the time well.
"You've got to try and use the break to your advantage," he said. "It's a longer break than what's normal. It's a bit different to what we've dealt with before, but I think we've been prepared for it. We brought some players into the club quite late in the window who we feel as though still need to get up to full speed.
"We'll be using the international break first and foremost to have a bit of a rest, let the players recharge the batteries. But as soon as we get back, get ready to get to work, because we need to improve as a squad. Some of the individuals need to improve from fitness levels, and we've got details in our game that we can be working on to try and be better for when the next set of fixtures come round."
You can watch Steven Schumacher's interview on Wanderers TV.