Manager speaks ahead of Hull City match
CHRIS Hughton insists his Norwich City team will be doing all in their power to end their barren streak when Hull City visit Carrow Road this Saturday.Tuesdayâs defeat at Fulham saw the Canariesâ winless run extended to eight matches in all competitions, but Hughton believes his side will show âgrit and determinationâ to get a positive result.
âThereâs no doubt itâs a big game. I think the fact that weâre playing at home is important and that weâre playing a team who are not too far above us in the division who have been deemed to have had a very good season so far,â he said
âItâs also a big game for us because we want to improve on our form. Weâre disappointed with where we are this particular moment.
âWhat weâve been missing is the quality at both ends. We know that weâre on a disappointing run, and the best way to solve that one is by showing the grit and determination to win games.â
New signing Jonas Gutierrez declared himself fit and available for selection when speaking to the media earlier in the day, and although Hughton admitted he hasnât had to time to work with Gutierrez that heâd have wanted, he said heâs in his thoughts for clash with Steve Bruceâs outfit.
âHe certainly comes into contention,â he commented.
âItâs been a disrupted week because of the cup tie at Fulham which he wasnât able to be involved in, so we havenât been able to do the amount of training with him with the group that we would have liked.
âPlayers tend to settle in fairly quickly, though, and particularly into this group. Theyâve very acceptant of anybody coming in â they know heâs here to help us and theyâve been very welcoming.â
On the fitness of Alex Tettey and Anthony Pilkington, he added: âThey will both be in the squad. Weâll make a decision tomorrow.
âAlthough theyâve done some good training, theyâve been out for a long period of time, particularly Alex. Weâll make that decision but at this moment we can say that theyâll both be in the squad.â