Norwich boss Dean Smith: It suited Charlton to make FA Cup tie a scrap
Dean Smith reckoned that Norwich City got into a “scrap” with Charlton Athletic – and that suited the Addicks. Milot Rashica’s late goal was enough to knock the South London club out of the FA Cup in yesterday’s third round match at The Valley.
Smith said: “It was a tough game, and it was always going to be a tough game. It was never going to be easy coming here.
“We started the first five-10 minutes quite well. We were moving the ball around well, but then got involved in a scrap which suited Charlton. We gave too many free-kicks away which allowed them to put the ball into the box. I wasn’t happy with the last 30 minutes of the first-half.
“We changed it up at half time. I made three changes and told them to play higher up the pitch and higher as a back unit.
We were too deep and allowed them to win first balls and second balls. Our line was better second half.
“Charlton didn’t really have any clear cut chances, they put a lot of balls into our box but I didn’t feel there were any clear cut chances. There were a few shots from distance that Tim [Krul] had to save. In the second half, we created the clearer chances.
“They made it really tough for us. They made it into a scrap which we didn’t want. We spoke about how Charlton would approach the game and it didn’t surprise us.
“You know they would go all out to try and get the victory. Hopefully we’ll get a home game in the next round and play on a better pitch.”
PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS
Not quite sure if Smith was there ? Charlton dominated for 70% , hit the bar and had other chances . Norwich were simply awful , only Pukki looked half decent. Maybe Villa realised that Smith not seeing the true picture and sacked him . Don’t really think he’ll do anything with Norwich
Yeah, yeah it was a scrap and “the pitch wasn’t great” according to Smith
Dream on fella, your team was pony first half and got a lesson off a makeshift third division side with no actual strikers.
The game would have been over inside 40 minutes if Charlton had anyone with their shooting boots or even half their final balls or dead balls had been any good.
Norwich took their one chance and managed the heck out of the rest of the 2nd half with cynicism, time wasting and pressure on the shaky referee.
No wonder the canaries are falling fast.