Following Saturday’s 3-0 win against Marseille, Max Aarons explained why he was so pleased with the Norwich City performance.
“It was a good test,” he said. “They’re a very good team in the French league and we knew coming here today that it would be what the team needed, a big step up from the King’s Lynn game. It was an all round really good performance.
“We needed a good run-out and this is the level of opposition we want to be playing against. It shows where you are as a group if you’re coming away to places like this and getting a good result, so I’m really happy with how it went.
“It was a really hot day and that’s something that you have to adapt to in pre-season, especially in this part of France. It’s hard and just what we need. Today had everything you want from a pre-season game.”
Jacob Sørensen opened the scoring with a sumptuous strike into the top right corner from distance.
“Really good goal,” Aarons said. “The ball came out to him and he whipped it first time. He’s got good technique, so the keeper had no chance.
“Today was the first real strong test that you can put yourself against and see where you’re at and I felt really good today to get 60 to 70 minutes. I felt really good and strong, going from two weeks ago not playing a game to now feeling really sharp.
“Each pre-season is really tough and coming into this pre-season has been different to the last few I’ve had, especially with the change in manager, but I feel as fit and strong as before.
“It’s just about smashing out the games and getting as much in your legs as you can to build you up for the season. I think everyone’s getting minutes and that’s what we need, a full squad to go and compete. It’s massive that we keep improving, keep playing and keep getting fit.”
Spending much of Saturday’s game playing behind Danel Sinani on the right wing, Aarons told canaries.co.uk what that relationship is like.
“He looks really good,” he said. “He had a good year last year as well and he’s come in and brought what he’s done on loan into here. He knows the expectation of Norwich now and it will be good for him to get that in his legs ready for the season to step up. He’s looked really sharp, really good, and I’ve loved playing with him. I hope he can have a really good season and really help us.”