A leader appealing for unity in the face of growing discontent. Dean Smith wants one thing from Norwich City fans heading to Carrow Road on Saturday.

The Canaries’ wretched downward spiral sees them looking to end a run of six Premier League games without a goal or a point against Everton.

Enough appears to be enough for a vocal minority of the club’s travelling support, who expressed their frustration at both Crystal Palace and Charlton over the festive period.

That prompted Smith to decry the ‘sarcastic’ undertone, but on Friday he opted for a softer message.

"If the performance levels aren't good enough, then let us know at the end. I'm okay with that,” he said.

“I'm a big boy, I can take that on the chin. But I want to see that togetherness from all of us, because we've got an honest bunch of players here. We certainly will give you everything we've got.

"We need to be pulling in the same direction to make sure we're trying to win football games.

“In our first three games, I think everybody could see the backing and the support and it drove the players on to do what they did against Southampton, Wolves and Manchester United. Against (Aston) Villa and Arsenal understandably the crowd got frustrated.

“We're not that far away, in terms of the points gap at the bottom of the table. And that's what we have to cling to at the moment.

"It's certainly not a desperate situation just yet. We were decimated by injuries and illness.

"The performance was better against West Ham against a very good team. Now we have to turn that into a victory.

"We certainly have to give the fans something to shout about on Saturday. But we've got some key players back now.”

Smith revealed on Friday those players have now formed a leadership group, to act as a conduit between him and the dressing room.

“I feel we have got leaders, I think we need to go and create some of the leaders as well within this group,” he said. “That's why I've put together a leadership group. It shouldn't have to be the coach’s leadership group. It has to come from the players, and that gets voted for by them.

"Obviously the captain will be in that, and then we have certain criteria for other players to vote on that.

“Every game you lose takes a hit to the confidence. But getting players back has certainly helped so far. It helped at West Ham and can help us moving forward as well.

"We need to score goals to win games. Whether it was two games, four games or six games without scoring, it is a concern.

"We didn't create great chances at West Ham, I thought we more than competed, but we didn't create the chances that we did perhaps against Crystal Palace, certainly against Tottenham or against Manchester United.

"That's the sort of levels that we need to get to if you're going to score goals in this league.

"You would say across the entire season we haven't been a free flowing team. We certainly have to open up a little bit, and probably take a few more risks now because we're getting into that must-win territory.”

Toffees' rival Rafa Benitez has worries of his own, with Everton arriving in Norfolk on the back of one win in 12.

“They had a good start,” said Smith, who masterminded a 3-0 victory earlier this season as Aston Villa boss. “There's always going to be changes when a new manager goes into a football club, and it takes time for those to work.

"I have every respect for Rafa Benitez I think we've all seen what he's done previously at Liverpool and Newcastle, keeping them in the league when it looked unlikely.

"I'm not quick to judge on performances, because I'm not there every week and not watching them every week.”