Kenny McLean has paid tribute to Norwich City fans for a 'special' Carrow Road welcome that helped fuel an electric start to their Championship play-off semi-final against Leeds. 

City's players were greeted by a sea of yellow and green as their coach pulled up to Carrow Road, which continued into a raucous show of support before and during the contest. 

That translated into their performance as they raced out of the traps, but failed to find a moment of quality to convert the pressure into a lead. 

David Wagner called for a similar atmosphere to the one that saw them beat Ipswich Town in an East Anglian derby back in April - and McLean feels City fans delivered, even if there was regret about being unable to reward their efforts on the pitch. 

"The atmosphere and arriving at the stadium set us for that [quick start] - it was incredible and special. A special mention to the fans for that. It is something that we really appreciate," McLean said.

"That gave us the buzz going into the stadium and going on to the pitch. We started well and got them onside but didn't give them that bit to cheer about.

"It's up to us to give them that something. It's us who control them. We have given them an opportunity to have that atmosphere and be excited. Unfortunately, we couldn't win, but it was a good game."

Norwich are now one game from Wembley, with a daunting trip to Elland Road standing between them and a place there. 

The Pink Un: A sea of colour, noise and support greeted Norwich City's players as they arrived at Carrow Road.A sea of colour, noise and support greeted Norwich City's players as they arrived at Carrow Road. (Image: Focus Images Limited)

McLean is confident that City's experience can handle the occasion as they attempt to channel their emotion ahead of another big game. 

"It's exciting and that's what you set out to achieve at the start of the season - to have these moments. We need to really take it with both hands," McLean said. 

"We've got plenty of experience in the dressing room. We will watch the game back tomorrow, rest, recover and prepare for this game.

"Now we've all experienced play-off football and we have another one to go," he said. "It's sometimes tough not to play the occasion because we know how much it means to everyone. But it's about controlling the emotion and I think we can do that.

"There's a lot of big characters in there but it's about showing character on the pitch because it will be a hostile environment, but the belief is there."