Plymouth Argyle boss Miron Muslic says victory over Norwich on Saturday is imperative if the strugglers are to escape Championship relegation.

The Pilgrims are bottom of the table, eight points from safety, with seven games to play

“We have to win the next one, we have to win Saturday,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “We have to have this desire and the heart to go outside and take this opportunity to grab the three points, then you never know.

“If we don’t manage to do this then I think it’s going to be very difficult. Then I cannot be optimistic any more, but the desire is there to win this three points and then we will see.

“It can change fast, and to make this possible we will need these three points against Norwich. I think it will be an open game because they have something to play for, they will not come here to defend, they will not come here and be in a deep block.

“They will try to attack because if they can manage to grab the three points the gate is open for them to attack the play-offs. I think this will be the aim of them but our desire should be way, way bigger to win this game and this is the plan.”

It’s a year since Argyle escaped the drop with a win over Hilly City in their final game, but Muslic knows the current task is even more difficult, with their run-in including games against Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and, on the final fay, at home to Leeds.

“Even last year it was very tight and complicated, and difficult until the end,” he said. “To have this possible outcome last game against Leeds we just need to beat Norwich. If we can do this we still are in the race and I believe in this.”

Home Park is likely to be sold out for the Canaries visit.

Muslic said: “We need to give them something and I think if we can manage to score the first goal, to have the opener, this wave of support, this wave of energy will give us the second air, a big, big chest to go, but let’s make sure we score that first one and we have the momentum on our side.”

The Argyle boss wants his strikers to be sharper in front of goal than they were in last week’s 0-0 draw at Watford.

“I think if we would just finish our attacking transitions against Watford we could easily score two or three goals, and it’s not easy to create so many opportunities,” he said.

“I think this game (against Norwich) will be open so we will have our moments in transition and we just need to be efficient – that’s a big word for us – and taking advantage out of those opportunities. Clinical, efficient and rewarding ourselves.”

Argyle face Norwich City at Home Park on Saturday, 5 April. The match is our latest Project 35 takeover, where we encourage fans to bring items of in-date, non-perishable food to Home Park, as we work together to can poverty.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 3pm. Those attending can get all the details they need with our Fans’ Guide below.