Manager says loss puts extra importance on West Brom game

CHRIS HUGHTON admits next weekend’s final home match of the season against West Bromwich Albion is a ‘must-win’ game following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa.

The Canaries slipped to just three points above the relegation zone after Gabriel Agbonlahor’s second-half brace at Carrow Road, and City’s manager is under no illusions about the situation the Club now finds themselves in.

“It is a must-win and it’s become so because of the result today,” said Hughton when speaking to Canaries Player after yesterday’s loss.

“We knew we had the benefit of the last home games – we need to capitalise on this next one.

“We are where we are for the obvious reasons. We had a great run before Christmas, and we’ve found it very difficult since then.”

The manager said he couldn’t fault the efforts of the players but emphasised that they need to show plenty of ‘character’ over the final stage of the run-in.

“We spoke before the game about a performance and everyone giving their all, and certainly you couldn’t fault the effort that the players put in,” he explained.

“I’m bitterly disappointed because I don’t think it’s a game that we deserved to lose. Once we’d got back in the game, what we then had to do was make sure we didn’t lose it.

“We need to try take the good things but it’s a real battle that we’re in at the moment and the players are going to have to show plenty of character this week.”

He added: “We went with two wingers to try and get as many crosses into the box as we can.

“I thought we certainly endeavored to do that for periods of the game. We’re finding it difficult to get the goals that we need.

“We’ve conceded two poor goals – from somebody who you know when given space and time is a wonderful finisher.”