Norwich City boss David Wagner has fired the starting pistol on derby day by insisting that Ipswich Town's incredible form this season counts for nothing.
The Blues host their old rivals in the first East Anglian derby for almost five years on Saturday (12.30pm), looking for their first win in the fixture since 2009.
READ MORE: Town players on derby day
There's a genuine feeling of expectation rather than hope for Town too, given they sit second in the table, 21 points clear of the Canaries down in 11th.
But, after Norwich's 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday last night - their fourth win in six games - Wagner smiled: "Now we can speak about it. No problems. What should I say? It’s derby time so I played a few derbies in my time as a manager.
"This is my first one in England and we are looking forward to it. Unfortunately we didn't play yesterday, we played today, but it doesn't count. It is derby time.
"First of all, big credit to their season so far. They deserved exactly where they are.
"But the truth is, as well, as everybody knows, in a derby everything that went before or comes after doesn't count.
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"It doesn't count in which league you are, in which position you are, it doesn't count how recent results have gone.
"Maybe it gives you a little bit of a better feeling, but everybody who played derbies knows this doesn't count when it's derby time."
Veteran forward Ashley Barnes, who scored in the Norwich win last night, is also looking forward to the big day.
"You thrive off it. These are the moments where you want to be the hero and wish you can be a part of," Barnes enthused.
"It's nice to go into it with a win and some form back. It was frustrating the other day that we couldn't get over the line in that game, but it's a point gained rather than lost.
"Credit to them (Ipswich), and it's fantastic for them to be where they are, but we have to concentrate on ourselves. We will do so. We get back to work tomorrow and get into the media room to analyse them.
"The league positions are there for everyone to see, but it's us who can concentrate on one more game, and that's Ipswich."
Speaking after Town's dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 win at Watford on Tuesday night, boss Kieran McKenna said: "It's a game to look forward to and embrace.
"Derby matches are a little bit different. This is a massive derby game for our supporters and we'll prepare as well as we possibly can.
"We can't give any more than 100% and the players are giving 100%.
"We'll respect the opponent and some of the quality players they have and try and do everything we can to put in a good performance."
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