Iwan Roberts believes the writing was on the wall for Neil Adams after Saturday's dismal FA Cup exit.

Norwich City announced that their manager had fallen on his sword yesterday less than 48 hours after the club's 2-0 third-round defeat at lower-level Preston North End. It was the Canaries' second loss on the bounce and one that their former striker feels convinced Adams to resign.

The City hero, pictured, said: 'I think he's been naive at times – putting so much emphasis on attacking football it looked at times his team had forgotten how to defend. The final nail in his coffin was that shocking display on Saturday when they were embarrassed at Preston and couldn't even muster a shot on target.

'His win ratio of just over 34pc obviously wasn't good enough.'

Roberts however admits he was not certain that a parting of the ways would take place despite a weekend performance that saw Adams – who took over at the end of last season – apologise to supporters. Yet it arrived as City look to build on their seventh-placed position in the Championship and improve their chances of an immediate return to the Premier League.

'Nothing really surprises me in football but I have to admit it did come as a bit of a shock to me when I heard that Neil had resigned,' added the Welshman.

'The season hasn't panned out how everybody had hoped. Norwich are just outside the play-off positions but 10 points behind Ipswich and 11 behind Bournemouth, who occupy the automatic positions, which just isn't good enough for a boss who probably has the best squad in the league.'