Norwich City head coach Dean Smith was delighted with his side's 3-0 win over Olympique de Marseille at Stade Parsemain on Saturday afternoon.
“Really good workout against a really good opponent," he said. "Every credit to the players today because we’ve asked a lot of them. We travelled and flew in this morning into really hot conditions against the team that finished second in the French league last year with a lot of players who are household names.
“It was a really good performance. We started a little bit shaky and got away with a really big chance where Tim’s made a really good save, but after that our shape without the ball was really good and our use of the ball when we had it was a lot better. That’s the thing that I’ve been wanting to see a little bit more - fluidity with what we do with the ball when we get it.
“Great run-out for all the players today. We changed the shape for the personnel that we had on the bench to play for the last 20 minutes and it looked good as well. Great goal from Lungi and two good headers from Jordan as well, well created from Milot and Onel, so a really good day.
“\[Lungi's\] not renowned for goalscoring. I told him I want him to be playing forward a lot more today. I thought he got caught playing sideways and backwards a little bit on Tuesday. I thought his use of the ball today was good but his finish was superb. He’s bent it in the top corner over the goalkeeper.
“Jordan’s a handful. He’s a great lad to have around the dressing room as well. The lads really like him and he leaves nothing out there. He gives you everything and I’m pleased for him today because I know he’s been frustrated that he probably hasn’t scored more yet in pre-season in the short time we’ve been in, but that will do him the world of good, getting them goals today.
“It was a competitive game. A partisan crowd against us as well. Their fans make a really good noise and make it a really good spectacle for a pre-season game. That makes their players have to be competitive and it made it a really good game for us. Nothing went over the top but there were a few good, strong challenges and fouls from each side. It’s just what we wanted, a big step up. We’re really pleased and it will give a few players a lot of confidence."
It was a hot day in France and City can expect to play in similar conditions against Cambridge United on Tuesday night if UK weather forecasts are to be believed.
“The temperature will be like that I think on Tuesday as well in the UK, so we’ve come and got ourselves acclimatised to it," Smith said. "Looking at the players and what we asked of them without the ball today in this temperature was really good. We look a fit team and that’s what we want at the end of this pre-season when we start against Cardiff.
“It will be a tough game because it’s meant to be sweltering conditions for that game, but it’s another one where we can get minutes into the lads. Some will be looking to get 70-75 minutes now before the double header at the weekend.”
Smith also commented once again on Friday's arrival of new signing Gabriel Sara.
“I’m really happy. He’s a talented footballer with bags of potential but he’s got to go and fulfil that now. We’ll give him a massive helping hand and a platform to do that."