DS: 'Reasonable start for me. But we feel we have left a few points out there. Should have performed a lot better against 10 at
#newcastle.'
Normann has had injections in pelvic area. Potentially back for Manchester United. Rashica out for 3-4 weeks. More from DS on the injury disappointments: "It is a blow but there are opportunities for others to step up." On Normann, they're managing pain, so not looked at surgery at this stage
DS: "The next step is to create more chances, we're having less big chances against us, defending well as a team, protecting our keeper well, the next step is to be braver on the ball."
DS on Tottenham's 2-0 home win over Brentford last night: "Spurs started really well, were pushing forward at every opp in first half, little drop off in second and spell when Brentford had them under pressure but scored a transition goal that was really good."
Teemu Pukki Dean Smith knew he was a good player but didn’t realise quite how good. Says he is setting a standard for others to follow.
January? Sign a goalscorer? DS: “Not looked at January. Not spoken to Stuart about it. I’m still assessing the players we have here.”
DS: “I’ve been impressed by the
@NorwichCityAcad games. Our 18s were unfortunate against Stoke. I’ve seen the 23s as well and there are some players to like in there.”
Smith on Adam Idah: "Teemu has set the standard and Adam can see that's the standard that he has to get to. I can see there's a lot of potential in his ability."
DS: “Andrew’s a top player and I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen in training.”
DS also confirms Cantwell is clear of his Covid ping now, has been training and has returned a negative test so is available, so that's a big help in light of Rashica injury.
Gibson… DS: “I felt it was a pairing that played together a lot in the Championship (with Hanley). Defensively we’ve improved as a team.” DS: “Gibbo’s got a really good number of blocks in, we’ve defended our box really well and he’s got a hell of a diagonal on him as well.”
DS: "We've gone the whole of November but probably still labelled with outside noise as being a poor team. We have to avoid the outside noise." Again emphasised that players have to go and prove everyone wrong to secure PL survival.
DS: “Josh Sargent’s work rate and endeavour is there for all to see. If he keeps working hard, his rewards will come.”
Dean rounded off his team news bulletin by revealing Sam Byram won't feature for the Under-23s against Reading this afternoon, however he's building towards a 90 minute performance and the staff are very pleased with him.
