CITY boss Paul Lambert was pleased with his team's fitness as their penultimate pre-season friendly ended in a goalless draw against former Canary Chris Sutton's Lincoln City.
Both teams had chances to break the deadlock at Sincil Bank but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping resulted in a 0-0 draw.
Despite not winning the game Lambert was happy with the performance: "I thought there were some good things there," he said. "There were some changes from Saturday, Stephen Hughes was back after a lay-off and there were some youngsters as well so I was reasonably happy with what we did."
The game saw three formation changes during the 90 minutes. Lambert explained: "It was just too crowded in the middle I thought, so I just tried to stretch the game and if you're going to try things, now is the time to try them."
He added: "The lads were great, they had a hard game against Newcatle on Saturday and they have another hard game against Everton this weekend."
The City boss said he was pleased with the progress his team were making with their fitness: "They're getting there and as I said Newcastle was a terrific game for us, tonight was a different test with lots of changes but that's pre-season."
Lambert remains without the services of skipper Grant Holt, summer signing Steven Smith, defender Zak Whitbread and young midfielder Korey Smith who picked up a knock against Dagenham recently. He said: "Grant's doing really fine. He's not match-fit but he's getting there and we'll see how he does in the next week or so. Korey will hopefully be back before not too long. The longest one will be Steven Smith I think and Zak's doing ok."
Lambert made a number of changes against Lincoln from Saturday's 2-1 victory over Newcastle with Elliott Ward and Simeon Jackson the only two remaining from the starting line-up.
There was also a change to the formation with Ward being joined by Askou and Tudur Jones in defence as part of a 3-4-3.
It was a bright start to the game by both sides - the Canaries with the first opportunity after just four minutes, Tudur Jones with a header from an Anthony McNamee corner which was straight at Joe Anyon in the Imps' goal. Jed Steer was then tested with low attempts by former Norwich striker Drewe Broughton and midfielder Mustapha Carayol, but they were no match for the Canary youngster who gathered them comfortably.
After 20 minutes City reverted to 4-4-2 with George Francomb dropping back to left-back and McNamee to right midfield. But it was Lincoln who were proving dangerous on the break - the ball found it's way out to Albert Jarrett on the right who had space to run at goal, but his low attempt proved too weak to trouble Steer and the 17-year-old collected easily.
On 33 minutes a good move ended with McNamee placing a shot wide of the far post. The winger collecting a loose ball after an excellent right-wing cross from Francomb narrowly missed the head of a leaping Jackson and was cleared. only to McNamee.
Moments later Lincoln nearly opened the scoring - Jarrett again breaking free on the right and placing a pass across the six-yard box looking for Broughton, but Steer pulled off a good stop at his far post to deny the 31-year-old.
Shortly before half-time McNamee had another curling shot from the right but it was again a comfortable catch for Anyon.
Half-time: Lincoln City 0 Norwich City 0
On 48 minutes City had a great opportunity when the ball broke for Oli Johnson in the box, but unfortunately the striker's shot was straight at Anyon who did well to get down and block with his legs.
Carayol went close for Lincoln after 56 minutes with a curling shot which went narrowly wide of Steer's far post.
With few chances being created both teams made substitutions - City changing their midfield personnel and reverting to the diamond formation. The introduction of David Fox and Wes Hoolahan on 75 minutes saw them combine just a minute later requiring Anyon to make a stop low down from the former Colchester midfielder.
With 10 minutes remaining Chris Martin forced the Imps' stopper to palm away a fierce drive from about 25 yards.
Lincoln had a late chance, Adam Watts heading just wide from Jarrett's corner.
City had late attempts through Andrew Crofts and Andrew Surman but they couldn't get past Anyon and the game finished goalless.
LATE SHOT: Andrew Crofts unleashes a late effort just
before the final whistle blows at Sincil Bank
Final score: Lincoln City 0 Norwich City 0
LINCOLN: Anyon, Green (Clapham 46), Watts, Swaibu, Anderson, Hughton, Kerr (Keltie 68), O'Keefe, Carayol (Hutchinson 77), Jarrett, Broughton (McCallum 68). Subs: Clarke, Facey, Musselwhite.
CITY: Steer, Askou, Tudur Jones, Ward (R. Martin 60), Francomb, Gill (c) (Surman 71), Hughes (Crofts 71), Dawkin, McNamee (Fox 75), Johnson (Hoolahan 75), Jackson (C. Martin 60). Subs: Ruddy, Nelson.
Attendance: 1,727 (469 Norwich fans)
