Paddy’s Pointers: Five observations from Norwich City’s 5-0 Championship defeat to Brighton
Glenn Murray scored a hat-trick in Brighton's thumping win over Norwich City. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Our Norwich City correspondent Paddy Davitt delivers his snap verdict from the Amex Stadium
1. Alex Neil - The City chief may have dismissed the criticisms from a section of the Norwich support prior to this game after recent struggles. He knows the focus will only intensify now after the heaviest beating of his City reign. City were truly abject on the south-coast and the buck stops with the Scot. Neil has spoken often about results being the only measure to judge him by. They need to turn, and turn quickly.
2. Art of defending - Norwich do not have it, they have never really had it under the attack-minded Alex Neil and unless the under-pressure manager and his coaching team can instil that mentality into this set of players you can forget a swift return to the Premier League. Glenn Murray bullied City's centre backs and keeper all afternoon. The manner both he and Lewis Dunk soared about the Norwich backline for the second and third home goals bordered on the embarrassing.
3. Individual responsibility. Or lack of - Alex Neil will predictably shoulder the brunt of the bile following this second-half collapse but his players continue to abdicate responsibility. Michael McGovern was the latest to produce basic elementary mistakes not once but twice with costly consequences.
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4. Alex Tettey ban. Come in Louis Thompson - Tettey's second-half booking at the Amex ruled him out of next week's Championship home return against Leeds. Alex Neil spoke glowingly about Louis Thompson's cup displays during the build up. This should be his chance. He must not be the only change in personnel after a shocking display.
5. Revenge. A dish best served cold - Chris Hughton is known as one of the nicest men in the game. You can guarantee the Brighton boss will not take any public satisfaction from getting one over his old club, who dispensed with his services five games from the end of a campaign that ended in relegation, but the manner of the win and Brighton's near miss last season in the play-offs suggest it would be unwise to rule out a Premier League return.
