Pilkington: Hopes Norwich will 'come out of the traps flying'

Under the guidance of former boss Paul Lambert, the Carrow Road club secured successive promotions before in 2011/12 finishing 12th in the Premier League.

Lambert has since moved on to Aston Villa and has been succeeded by Chris Hughton and some critics have suggested Norwich could be fighting relegation this season.

But Pilkington believes the team mentality and acquisitions of the likes Steven Whittaker, Jacob Butterfield, Robert Snodgrass and Michael Turner mean the outlook is bright ahead of facing Fulham on the first day on 18th August.

"The players who have been brought in are similar to the players that were brought in last season," said the former Huddersfield Town winger.

"You see young, hungry British players coming in again, so nothing changes. The team spirit is still there. The new lads are settling in really well and so are the staff.

"Not much (has changed), really. New staff have come in and one or two new players have come in and are settling down, but everyone is confident about next season.

"We're just hoping to do what we did last season that got us into the great positions we did, and just to carry on from there.

"You look around the squad now and it's getting a big squad and everyone is fighting for places.

"The competition for places is great and we're all working hard to get that sharpness and match fitness and I hope by 18th August we'll come out of the traps flying."