MIDFIELDER Owain Tudur Jones admitted City's inability to take their chances and poor defending cost them at Griffin Park last night as the Canaries lost 2-1 to Brentford.
The Welshman returned to the starting line-up in place of youngster Tom Adeyemi and grabbed a late consolation goal, his first in City colours - after Ryan Dickson had headed the Bees in front six minutes after half-time from a long throw-in. David Hunt then turned from provider to scorer 20 minutes later, striking a free-kick through the City wall, after Matt Gill handled on the edge of the area.
Tudur Jones' goal came two minutes into injury time, a low struck free-kick from just outside the area after Grant Holt was fouled
Speaking after the game on how new boss Paul Lambert might have viewed proceedings, Tudur Jones said: "I think watching the first half he would have been quite pleased with how resolute we were, we were strong and creating chances and probably should have come in at half-time ahead. Similar to the Yeovil game last week we were quite content and thought if we kept creating those chances that we could go on and win the game. The goals we conceded were too easy, sloppy goals to give away. We've got to put an end to it otherwise we're not going to push on this season.
"They've scored early (in the second half) and put paid to our plans, but these are the things we've got to deal with, we're going to go behind in games this season, but it is a case of being strong mentally in order to get back into the game and we weren't tonight."
Having taken one point from three games, the Welshman is confident City can respond to the early season setback: "It's not ideal, it's not where we want to be, but there are still loads of games to go and it's a case of rolling our sleeves up, really digging in deep for this Football Club and we've got an opportunity to do that on Saturday. We're certainly got to higher our standards in terms of being resolute and being difficult to beat. The sooner we can pick up our first win in the league the better, if we can do that on Saturday, I think the confidence will be there to kick on."
Striker Chris Martin, who replaced Simon Whaley on 72 minutes at Griffin Park last night, echoed Tudur Jones' words: "I think we were unlucky not to be in front in the first half, the way we conceded the goals were disappointing. It was a frustrating game, especially towards the end when we were chasing the game. But we need to look at being stronger mentally because our concentration cost us today and possibly on Saturday and we were disappointed at the manner in which the goals went in and need to tighten up."
The Beccles' born striker was clear when asked if City would now struggle to achieve their aim of promotion this season after the defeat: "No I don't think so, if you look back at seasons previous there have been teams that don't start off well but go on to achieve promotion. It is just disappointing because it is always nice to get a good start but we need to dig in and start to get some results."
Martin's introduction saw City change to a 4-3-3 formation with the striker playing on the left of the front three, a role he regularly played on loan at Luton Town last season: "It is definitely an option as you saw tonight, I was used to playing that position under Mick Harford at Luton and I do enjoy it."
Having started the season alongside Holt, the 20-year-old has been consigned to the bench for the past three games, but with Lambert's appointment, Martin said the players are back on trial: "We'll have to wait and see what the new manager has in store, but everyone will be vying for their place in the team again."
