Time to raise the white flag? No way for top gun Teemu
Published: 6:00 PM February 14, 2020 Updated: 7:05 PM November 22, 2020
Teemu Pukki is not giving up the fight in Norwich City's Premier League survival quest Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Teemu Pukki insists Norwich City's players still believe in a Premier League great escape, ahead of Liverpool's Carrow Road visit.
Pukki will be key to the Canaries' hopes of pulling off a stunning upset on Saturday night against the champions-elect and City need something special to pull off a survival mission.
Daniel Farke's squad prop up the rest, seven points from safety, but Pukki feels they have may turned a corner after three wins in six in all competitions.
"We've been playing quite well for a longer period without being able to get the points we wanted," he said. "We're starting to get those victories and that gives us the belief that we can still turn this around. We need to keep working until the end.
"I'm a team player, so even if I do well and score goals but we lose, it's not going to make me happy. Whenever we get points, that's what matters and that's what we need. If we stay in the league, I can be really happy with my own season as well. If not, it will be a disappointment.
"I'm proud personally of how I've taken this challenge. I wasn't sure how it would go but I'm happy I've been able to score goals and could have had more. Like I said, we'll see how the season ends and if we stay up for sure I will be happy."
Pukki's maiden Premier League goal came in the 4-1 opening night defeat at Anfield.
"The second half was good from us, but in the first half it was the first time in the Premier League for most of the players we had," he said, quoted on the club's official site. "When you're playing against the Champions League winners, they punish you for your mistakes. We weren't ready for that.
"This season has been similar - playing well but not getting the results we wanted. I think it's right that they are the best team in the world. It's a huge test for us but we've been doing well against the big teams at home. We know it's going to be tough, but we still have to believe we can get something out of it.
"Only one team has drawn with them this season so it will take a lot for us to get something, but if we have the chance, we will take it."