Norwich City boss Chris Hughton - Martin Olsson’s Southampton exclusion is a sign of the times
Norwich City boss Chris Hughton confirmed after his side's 1-0 Premier League defeat Martin Olsson's omission was not due to injury. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Chris Hughton is prepared to disappoint more Norwich City players in pursuit of the greater good.
The Canaries' boss could find no place in his matchday squad for Swedish international Martin Olsson, despite a goalscoring impact in the Capital One Cup 6-3 romp against Bury.
Anthony Pilkington, Russell Martin and Jonny Howson were all forced to settle for places on a substitutes' bench which is likely to be just as competitive as Hughton's starting line up over the coming months.
'If I look at what I had on the bench I had to make some real tough decisions because we have just brought Martin in but I decided in the end to go a little bit more offensive,' he said. 'Martin was fine. There was no injury. Ryan Bennett was not quite right after damaging his knee in midweek and it would have been a difficult one to bring him in for this game so we didn't take any chances with the international break around the corner.
'As far as Martin goes he will head away with Sweden (for World Cup qualifiers) now and hopefully go and get some game time. I suppose I am at the stage where picking substitutes can be as difficult as actually picking the starting line up.'
Hughton reiterated after his side's welcome Saints league win he will only countenance fresh additions in Monday's transfer window finale if the right player comes along.
'It's no secret that we have lost Elliott Bennett on that right-hand side but we have options within the club,' he said. 'Anthony is one who can play either side, Nathan (Redmond) as well. If its right, we'll do something but it will have to be done through our structure which has served us well this close-season period.'
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• Norwich's development side is in action on Monday evening with a trip to face Tottenham's Under-21s at White Hart Lane (7pm). City will aim to bounce back from two recent development league defeats against Aston Villa's and Fulham's under-21s.
