Norwich City defender Ben Gibson says the team need to stick to their principles and demand more in order for results to go their way after a 1-0 loss to Derby County.
The Canaries had dominated the game against the Rams, but couldn’t quite find the decisive goal, leaving the door open for a Wayne Rooney free-kick to give Phillip Cocu’s side all three points.
Speaking on the result after the game, Gibson says it’s important that the team take positives where possible, after being beaten by a single chance of quality from the visitors.
“It was really disappointing; I think we dominated the game. We created absolutely loads, we were secure, I can’t remember them having a chance and then ultimately, it’s one moment of quality that punishes us, which today we didn’t have.
“There was a lot of bright signs and you’ve got to take the positives, I know you can’t keep saying we need to take positives, but we do from that performance.
“If we perform like that in the long-run we’ll churn out results, the club have seen that in the past here with the manner the boss wants to play. If we stick to those principles and add a bit more quality and demand, then that’ll pay dividends in the long-run.”
After an impressive debut, Gibson was dismissive of his own personal performance, saying he only cares for the result in such a testing league.
“I think it went well, but it’s not about me. It’s good to get 90 minutes, but all that matters is the result. We’ve got to roll our sleeves up now, it’s two losses in a week that, to be honest, we shouldn’t have had.
“I’m not sure we should’ve lost either game, particularly today, but that’s the Championship and we’ll learn really quickly.
“It’s a test of character early on, but that’s what this league is. We’ll work hard this week and get ready to turn it round and start building some momentum.
“I came here to be a part of a successful team and play games. I believe I’m good enough to do so, I’ve come here for a reason and that’s to kick-start my career again.
“I believe the club are doing the right things, the boss has been absolutely brilliant since I came in, he wants to play the right way and has great principles with a fantastic team.
“We haven’t seen that relate to results yet, but if we keep working as hard as we are and stick to those principles there’s no doubt the results will come.”
Asked about the only goal of the game, scored by Rooney’s free-kick, Gibson credited the striker for his quality before reiterating his optimistic stance on future games.
“I wanted to play from the minute I got here, Wayne [Rooney] is obviously a top, top player and he showed his real quality at the end there with that goal. Other than that, as a team we really limited Derby. I can’t recall Tim needing to make a save, we had a few chances given how much possession we had in and around their box, we could’ve created more.
“Those are the positives we have to take and we know we’ve got the players to do it because as an outsider two years ago I saw these players do it on this stage time and time again, so I’m sure it’ll come.”