Norwich City head coach Dean Smith spoke to Canaries TV following the 1-0 defeat at home to Luton Town in the Sky Bet Championship.
"I thought we had good control of the game," Smith said. "I don't think the opposition looked like scoring, but unfortunately the final pass wasn't quite there for us in the first half. That was the message to the players at the break.
"We need to be working their goalkeeper more, and we didn't do that. We had a big chance with Danel, who put it over. Teemu's had a big chance that he put wide. But last 30 minutes, we're playing with 10 men.
"I thought we showed an unbelievable amount of spirit and created some problems for Luton. We've got to be more creative in that final third, but we certainly didn't deserve to get beat."
Josh Sargent was substituted at the break, being replaced by Todd Cantwell. Smith confirmed the switch was only precautionary.
"Josh got a whack on the back of the leg, so he couldn't really extend himself. I don't think it'll be too bad, I expect him to be back on Saturday. We couldn't take the risk on him tonight."
Kenny McLean's sending off meant the Canaries played the majority of the second half with 10 men.
"From what I've seen of it, it's two players grappling and Kenny goes to push him off and the player goes down. The rest is history. Todd gets a shoulder to the head, and nothing's done, not even a yellow card.
"Unfortunately that moment has cost us. A lack of concentration, it's on the halfway line and we've got enough bodies back to defend it. It was a game that had very few chances. Unfortunately with all the control of the game, we didn't create enough bigger chances."
Dimitris Giannoulis was a second half substitute for the Canaries, and Smith says the defender added some needed balance.
"It was good to see Dimi back in the team. We've missed him, we've missed that left-sided player. I thought we balance today, hence the control of the game. It's definitely good to have him back."
The Canaries are back in action on Saturday, as they play away at Sheffield United, and Smith says it's a good opportunity to react.
"We have to react. We've got two big games coming up, I don't doubt the quality of the players, but they've got to show better quality in the final third.
"Even with 10 men, I thought we looked the better team."