Norwich striker Nelson Oliveira has turned up the heat under next Sunday’s East Anglian derby against the Blues at Portman Road by claiming the Canaries are “a better club” than Town with “better players”.

Portuguese international frontman Oliveira, 26, provided Blues boss Mick McCarthy with material for his pre-match team-talk having scored Norwich’s late equaliser after coming on as a sub during Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Hull City.

“I know it’s an important match for us and for the fans because it’s a derby, and we go there to win the game because we are better than them, we have better players than them, we are a better club than them, so we go there for the win,” he told The Pink ‘Un.

“I’ve played in a few derbies in Portugal. To be fair in every country I have been I’ve played in derbies. Even at Nottingham Forest I played against Derby, and that’s a massive derby as well.

“I think personally they are the games I prefer to play. I prefer to play in tough games over easy games because in easy games even if you don’t want it, your motivation is good — just not as good as if it’s a derby or a massive game. It’s the passion — and I enjoy playing in them.”

Oliveira, who has scored five goals this season, is yet to feature in an East Anglian derby having joined the Canaries after last year’s Portman Road game and been injured for the Carrow Road meeting, both matches ending in 1-1 draws.

Sunday's game, which kicks off at midday, is being shown live on Sky Sports.

Photo: Action Images

Warkys_Tash added 20:41 - Oct 16 They have been better than us since they resurfaced from league one in 2010.. so they have had an exciting 7 years and the edge us. Our fans base has shrunk, theirs has increased.. We still have the history they will never have... However, what matters is now. Pin that quote up at the training ground, in the dressing room, set the team to attack and lets create a new chapter... COYB!!

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RegencyBlue added 20:45 - Oct 16 Overall the guy is talking out of his backside but in recent years it has to be faced that they have been better than us, however unpalatable it is to accept that. Personally I think this has more to do with ten years of inept ownership by Evans than any great revolution up the A140 but it is what it is!
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BrettenhamBlue added 03:57 - Oct 17 Present moment matters more than anything else. I hope we put a dent in their promotion hopes, even by getting a draw. 0-0 bath Derby games this season would be ok results. Keep them in this division and let's see how they do without parachute money next season.
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BrettenhamBlue added 04:00 - Oct 17 And on the comments by Oliveira. Not sure how that effects their team or ours. Bristol City were telling us before the match that they'd win easy, and sadly they did. So difficult to tell if this will boost our lads or do something else to them (like in Bristol City game). I expected them to really go for it after so many comments from Bristol City fans and the lack of any respect that they showed. But empty hopes.

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Dissboyitfc added 07:29 - Oct 17 What does he mean by a better club? if he means this season, they have trailed us all season until last saturday, remember we still have a game in hand! does he mean the past? well we have won far more than them with a richer history! Does he mean they have spent more, then surely they should be out of site! And also i wonder did he see how there ladies fared against us? I want to beat them so much!!

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finidi added 17:17 - Oct 17 Looking forward to see how MM puts together his line up, now Smith appears to be fit will it be three at the back, with Iorfa or Spence at right wing back, Knudsen at left cos Kenlock has had it now with the way the Sheffield goal was conceded. Then we have a midfield pick of Skuse, Downes, Nydam, Ward, Celina. Strikers Garner a must to rough them up if fit, Waghorn who deserves his place and Didz.

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Tufty added 19:24 - Oct 17 If only Big Al were playing on sunday
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Tufty added 19:26 - Oct 17 Perhaps he is alluding to the toilets
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Lukeybluey added 12:43 - Oct 18 I don't know if they are the better club. They are definitely better swimmers though with twelve fingers and webbed toes.
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