AFTER City Reserves' 4-2 victory over their Arsenal counterparts, Reserve Team Manager Paul Stephenson was delighted with the commitment and performance of his players.
Stephenson reflected: "I'm very pleased and proud of the lads, I thought they worked hard, they supported the ball, tackled, if one missed it the next one got them and we played some good football on top of that as well. The goals were super goals."
With Arsenal providing the strongest opposition for the Reserves so far this season, Stephenson was aware that performance has now set the standard: "They did first half obviously, 3-1, and we knew Arsenal would be smarted by that and come out second half and they did but we kept our shape. I thought we fully deserved the result.
"They have really raised their game tonight, the true test will come for them again, can they do that against lesser opposition? That is something you can say to most teams but it is getting the level of consistency, that's the real difference, that's why these lads are playing at the top because they are doing it week in, week out, we've got to strive to do that as well. We came out of that (Reserve) league because we weren't getting the challenge that we really needed to bring the players on. I think tonight we have seen what are great challenge it was, it took our young lads to another level, the real test is to do it consistently."
Paul also reserved a mention for hat-trick hero Luke Daley and the quality of his goals: "Very well made as well, Rob (Eagle) did really well for the first goal, came short and spun, got a great ball played over the top from Simon (Lappin), who was part of a few of the goals today, played some superb passes. Good cross and finish and the same from the right, great sweeping pass from Simon again out to the right, which we said we would look for, young Josh (Dawkin) had a cross-shot and Luke's there to finish it. So it was really pleasing from that point of view that they have took on board little bits and we have got some joy."
Looking to the future, Stephenson said: "We'd love to be able to invite another Premiership side down after the New Year, to get over 7,000 down here for a Reserve match is fantastic.
"We have certainly shown tonight, that there are one or two players, that if they continue to improve on the upward curve, they're going to have a fair chance of getting into the first-team at Norwich."
The Academy side take centre stage at Carrow Road on Wednesday, December 3 (7pm) when they take on Wigan Athletic in the FA Youth Cup third round tie.
Admission prices are £4 for Adults and £1 for Senior Citizens and U16s - there will be no free admission to Season Ticket Holders.
