Norwich City head coach Dean Smith was pleased with the second half performance in Tuesday’s 3-1 win away to Cambridge United.
“Average City first half and Norwich City second half,” he said. “I think we used the heat as a bit of an excuse. Our application wasn’t as good as it should’ve been. To be fair, the lads said that themselves in the dressing room at half time.
“We were second best to second balls and didn’t move the ball quick enough. They got what they deserved in the first half. The second half was a lot better and the application was a lot better and I thought the subs changed the game for us, so it’s pleasing that we’ve won the game and I’m pleased with a lot of the aspects of the second half but disappointed with the first half, but it’s understandable.
“We couldn’t fly back from Marseille until Sunday but I expect us to be better than what we were in the first half today.”
Liam Gibbs looked lively when he came on at half time and was rewarded with his first goal for the senior team.
“Some really good stuff and Gibbo has impressed since he’s been with us,” Smith said. “He nearly got a second as well but the keeper made a really good save. We’ve got a few missing today, so he had to go in at right back for the last 15 minutes.
“It was a good test for Jon Tomkinson who probably found it tough in the first half dealing with the goalkeeper’s kicks to a handful of a centre-forward, so he’ll learn an awful lot and as the game went on he got better and grew into it. His first full 90 minutes for us and he’s getting better for us.”
Returning to the first team squad for the first time since February was Adam Idah, who last played for Dean Smith against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
“He played 40 minutes against MK Dons for the Under-23s on Friday and got another 45 today,” he said. “He needed that and is going to need more games to get him into the speed of things, but it’s a bonus to have the likes of him and Andrew back and Sarge as well. I thought he was excellent today. He made the first goal with his non stop running and he looks a really good player for us at the moment and another one who has come back from injury.”
Christoph Zimmermann and Christos Tzolis were both absent from the matchday squad, and Smith provided an update on both players.
“Zimbo’s talking to another club,” he said. “As everyone knows, Norwich means an awful lot to Zimbo and Zimbo means an awful lot to Norwich. He’s got an opportunity and we felt it would be wrong not to let him speak to them. If he goes there he goes with our best wishes.
“He’s not got the minutes he would have liked over the last 18 months but he goes with our blessing if he does go because he’s been a magnificent player and person at this club.
“Christos is talking to a club to go out on loan. It was a tough season last year for him. We can’t really guarantee games. He’s still a young player and I believe if he goes out on loan and builds his confidence and plays regularly, then we can have a better Christos come next season.”
Finally, City travel to Scotland this weekend for pre-season games against Celtic and Hibernian.
“Looking forward to it,” Smith said. “It’s going to be two tough games and we’ve got to balance the squad appropriately and are looking to get all the lads 90 minutes at least, but we’ve got to balance it especially if Christos and Christoph aren’t involved, but what a great place to go for Celtic Park on Saturday and Easter Road on Sunday.”