Boss praises second-half turnaround against top-class opposition
ALEX Neil was pleased with his how side overcame a strong FC Augsburg outfit on Saturday to record their fourth win out of five this pre-season.Youssouf Mulumbu and Lewis Grabban turned the game in City's favour with second-half goals to overturn the lead Piotr Trochowski had given the German side in Prien.
Neil said after the game: "I think the fact we won the game was pleasing against a good calibre of opposition.
"They're a strong side who beat Bayern twice this season, so that shows you how well they can play.
"I thought you saw both sides of us as well. In the first half we didn't press as well as we generally do, but in the second half that improved a lot.
"Our use of the ball in the first half, we didn't maintain it as well as we can, but in the second half that improved a lot as well.
Neil made just the one substitution during the game, replacing Nathan Redmond with Jonny Howson on 61 minutes, as the Canaries rose into the ascendancy as the second half wore on.
"We got some good finishes and had other opportunities as well. I think it was a good game for both teams, there was a lot of quality.
"We had some great build-up play. Some of the interlinking in the second half was fantastic. That was a feature of our play from last season.
"I think it was a great trip for us. We had two good games and got everybody game time, and we finished off with a good win against a good, competitive team.
"The players are certainly fitter going home now, which is good."
Next up for Alex Neil's Canaries are two final warm-up fixtures before the Premier League campaign begins in earnest. That begins with an all-Premier-League encounter with West Ham on Tuesday, July 28, where the home crowd will witness special events to celebrate Carrow Road's 80th anniversary.
West Ham were the first team to visit Carrow Road 80 years ago.
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THE 80th ANNIVERSARY DINNER
Join Alex Neil and the first team for a special commemorative evening at Carrow Road on Wednesday July 29.
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