Chris Hughton emphasises Norwich's need for balance

Hughton emphasises Norwich's need for balance

12-Mar-2013 2:23:00 AM

The Canaries boss insists his side need to balance sharpening up their attack while keeping things tight defensively if they are to stay clear of the relegation zone

Norwich City manager Chris Hughton has emphasised his side's need for balance as the Premier League season comes to an end.

The 54-year-old admitted that both positives and negatives could be taken from their goalless draw at home with Southampton on the weekend, but was also quick to insist that his side need to keep all bases covered if they are to stay clear of the relegation zone with just nine league games left to play.


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The Canaries' 0-0 draw was the sixth league game in their last eight where they had failed to find the back of the net, but the goalless draw also helped keep intact their record of losing only three times at home this season, and Hughton believes that this is a prime example of where balance is desperately needed.

"From a defensive point of view, if you're one of the four defenders or the goalkeeper, then you're delighted with the clean sheet," he told the club's official website.

"If you're an offensive player, then it's a little bit frustrating that you haven't managed to get a goal.

"It's the balances that we have to work on week-in, week-out."

Hughton also believes any club in the bottom half of the table is capable of winning games, but admits this means it leaves the relegation battle wide open.

"At the moment we're seeing Queens Park Rangers winning games, so every team in that bottom group as such, probably up to ourselves, are capable of winning games," he added.

"You're never close enough to survival until it's impossible, and it's certainly going to be tense in these final nine games for everyone involved."

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