Norwich duo Kei Kamara and Wes Hoolahan celebrate the Republic of Ireland international's goal in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Sunderland. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images

Chris Hughton - Sunderland point was one of my best at Norwich City

Paddy Davitt, EDP Sports Writer Monday, March 18, 2013
4:15 PM

Chris Hughton ranked Norwich’s battling Premier League draw as one of the best of his Canaries’ reign.

City resisted for an hour with 10 men but still carved out openings to have completed a remarkable top flight double over Martin O’Neill’s strugglers. Hughton believes the manner of his side’s stubborn display could carry far-reaching ramifications for their survival bid.

“There is no doubt what you get from a positive result when you have played free-flowing, attacking football but you also gain massively from showing the type of resilience we showed,” he said.

“There was also some quality as well, but at times we gave the ball away a little bit when we could have worked through the lines and got up the pitch a little bit better. You really gain so much from this type of display.

“Is it one of our best points of the season? I think it has to be when you are down to 10 men so early in the game and with the offensive quality they have got.”

Hughton shuffled his striking options again with Kei Kamara preferred in a lone role from the start ahead of Grant Holt.

Elliott Bennett was also included from the off and rewarded the City boss with a shift rich in selfless endeavour.

“He did create a lot of problems for them with his energy and that is why I left him on,” said Hughton.

“I wanted to make some changes with 15 minutes to go but because they were all digging in I wasn’t quite sure who I wanted to change and with Elliott he just kept on going. It was a real good 90-odd minutes for him.

“With Kei, I knew that I wanted to play Wes because perhaps in the last couple of home games we have been a threat, but away from home I felt we could use Wes’ ability and with Kei he would stretch the defence in behind that little bit more in those initial stages.

“Grant has been great for us. He has had 24 starts from the strikers we have, but with the forwards we have now I am able to change it. It was certainly nothing detrimental towards Grant. It was an opportunity to use Kei’s strengths. The disappointing thing of course is we had to take Wes off and with 11 men I think we looked capable of giving them a really good game.”

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9 comments

If McMaimaman gets out of hand we'll have to give him the BJ treatment.

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DocOhNo

Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Dubai, predictably enough, the Old FArts have banned Bunn. We`ll have to set up Camp in Wigan. :-)

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, March 20, 2013
That`s very kind, Stew :-). Years ago I was talking with an Irish maltster in Co. Wexford, spinning a yarn about Irish barley having some magical property or other. He stopped me mid-flow with the comment "Brewer, you`re full of English s**t". Harsh but true.

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Brew! You really do have away with words. Every one paints a picture. The saying in these parts was 'shines like a shilling on a sweeps rrrrse'

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Stew Pydsodd

Tuesday, March 19, 2013
No reason not to start with the same line-up at Wigan - unless Bunn is banned, that is.

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Dubai Canary

Tuesday, March 19, 2013
G`day, canarydownunder! On another board I have opined that Hoots might continue with the revolutionary experiment of playing a right-footer on the right & vice versa. Your comment about Pilks is a worry - as if I needed any help in that department! I hope we persevere with EB on the right for a while longer - it looks promising. Pa Snipps "Chevron" beckons! I endorse what you say about Hoots, Michael D. He has an urbanity and genuine humility about him that stand out like a diamond in a tu*d. Too many managers are dreadful example to player and fan alike and no help whatsoever to the "Respect" campaign. I think only Laudrup and Steve Clarke @ WBA come close.

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I was very impressed with CH's starting lineup here. He showed flexibility and imagination - and his lack of these at times is the only real criticism I have had of his performance as manager. As a human being I am certainly immensely proud to have him as NC's manager, especially after the dignity he displayed here. And finally, I am delighted at the spine he has put into our defence; it is the reason we will stay up this season.

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Michael D

Tuesday, March 19, 2013
CH has every right to be pleased with himself, having got the team selection right and got the players committed and working for each other - even if Holty looked p**sed off. I think Snods will revert to the right when Pilks is fit. I wonder if CH has a question mark over Pilks future. Like Vaughan, he seems injury prone.

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canarydownunder

Tuesday, March 19, 2013
But for the sending off,I think that would`ve been your best 3 points, Hoots. Brave to start with KK and use the two "wingers" where their natural footedness works. Howson looked more confident. BJ is immense. I would hate him if he were playing for someone else!

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Mad Brewer

Monday, March 18, 2013