Following Norwich City’s 1-1 draw at home to Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon, head coach Dean Smith told canaries.co.uk that he was encouraged by his side’s performance, despite only taking a point from the game.
“A step in the right direction performance wise, obviously not result wise,” he said. “They nicked a point and we lost two. We made two mistakes for their only two chances and for 30 minutes it was relentless, more of what we wanted to see.
“We should’ve been taking one of our chances and we didn’t, but I thought their goal knocked the stuffing out of everybody within the ground at that time. It became a little bit messy for 15 minutes.
“We got them rallied at half-time and Milot has gone and chased the kick-off down and had a chance after 15 seconds. We had loads of possession but didn’t create big enough chances.
“The one time we worked the ball from one side to the other quickly, Max scored a great goal. I don’t understand how we’re not walking away with a penalty as well, because I’ve seen the tackle back on Max’s shin and it’s a dreadful one.
“We spoke in the dressing room after and the players agreed that it’s a step in the right direction performance wise, but we can certainly get better.”
Smith handed a debut to new signing Marcelino Núñez, who featured for the majority of the match and was heavily involved, particularly in the first half.
“Marcy, for the first 30 minutes, was a catalyst of the good things,” Smith said. “He played a really good ball over the top for Milot early on. He can see a pass, wants to get on the ball and move in.
“Naturally, he tired and only came into the country a few days ago. That 75 minutes will be really good for him and Gabby (Sara) managed to get on for ten minutes as well.
“We saw a sign of him. He got a shot in and switched the play really well, so they’re getting to understand the way we want to play and they’ll get better for it.
“We’ve got some good players at the football club now. With 22 attempts, we should be scoring more goals than we did today, but they played, as everybody saw, with a low block for long periods, and we still fashioned 22 attempts on their goal.
“We should have had one, maybe two penalties, so it’s a step in the right direction performance wise but we certainly can be better and the lads will be better for it.”
Dimitris Giannoulis was forced off with an injury, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
“He’s got his studs stuck in the turf and gone over on his ankle, so he’s with the medical staff at the moment,” Smith explained. “We wish him well and hope it’s not too serious.”
Up next, Norwich host Birmingham City in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
“The games come thick and fast now,” Smith said. “We’re thankful that it was packed out here today and the noise was brilliant. We’re a little bit deflated obviously, like everybody, when we conceded a sloppy goal.
“We’ve got to be better in possession in our half than we were for their two big chances, but the fans got behind us and got us back in it.”