City manager hoping to keep all bases covered in run-in

CHRIS HUGHTON says there are both positives and negatives to take from the weekend’s 0-0 draw against Southampton… as he once again emphasised the premium on finding a balance in the Canaries’ starting eleven.

Saturday’s stalemate was the sixth Premier League game in City’s last eight where they had failed to find the net, but it also kept intact their impressive top flight record of having lost only three times at Carrow Road this season.

The manager insists that the Club are working hard on trying to make the best of everything, and believes the back four can take pride when they keep a clean sheet.

“From a defensive point of view, if you’re one of the four defenders or the goalkeeper, then you’re delighted with the clean sheet,” commented Hughton after the match.

“If you’re an offensive player, then it’s a little bit frustrating that you haven’t managed to get a goal. It’s the balances that we have to work on week-in, week-out.”

He highlighted the performance of Mark Bunn as one particular high point to take from the match, with the City’s ‘keeper making a string of saves to keep out Mauricio Pochettino’s Saints.

“He’s done ever so well. He’s got that little bit of composure about him, plus because he’s not one of the really tall goalkeepers he has got that agility,” he added.

“When they pressed quite well, he had to kick a few balls and he showed good quality in his kicking, and I think certainly overall he’s done very well since coming into the team.”

Hughton recognises the intensity of battle to stay in the Premier League as he sees potential in all of the teams competing in the bottom half of the table.

“At the moment we’re seeing Queens Park Rangers winning games, so every team in that bottom group as such, probably up to ourselves, are capable of winning games,” said the 54-year-old.

“You’re never close enough to survival until it’s impossible, and it’s certainly going to be tense in these final nine games for everyone involved.”