Norwich new boy Andrew Crofts was delighted to net his first City goal in yesterday’s pre-season defeat to Everton, as all thoughts now turn to Watford (h) and that Championship opener on Friday night.
The Canaries finished up on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline yesterday afternoon, but Paul Lambert’s men were lively and did well to drag the score back to 2-2 after half-time.
Midfielder Crofts, a summer signing from Brighton, and Andrew Surman gave their Premier League opponents something to think about and despite the Toffees running out comfortable winners in the end, the Welsh international was pleased to get on the scoresheet with a bullet header in front of his home faithful.
“It was nice. It was a great ball in from Adam [Drury] and I just timed my run late and managed to get on it,” he told reporters afterwards.
“Maybe I should have had a couple more in the first-half but I just want to keep getting up and down the pitch and it was nice to see it go in.
“I just think I have to keep working hard. Every day is the same – you have to work hard, play hard and you will get your rewards hopefully.”
Despite the reverse against David Moyes’ European hopefuls, Crofts believes the League One champions can take plenty of positives from the workout, with just five days until that Carrow Road clash with Malky Mackay’s Hornets.
“I think that was a great exercise for the boys. Everton are a great team and I think they will do well next season. It was a great test and I thought we came through it well.
“I think we can take a lot of positives from the match – we played it at a high tempo. The lads never wanted to lose the game but I always felt we were in it and gave them a good run. I just can’t wait for the season to start now.
“Everton have got world class players and they play in the Premier League for a reason so it was a great experience to play against them and it was one to enjoy.”
It’s probably fair to say that the Norfolk club have had an unspectacular pre-season, with last weekend’s excellent 2-1 win over Newcastle the obvious highlight.
But Canary chief Lambert has always maintained that summer results mean nothing, and Crofts is convinced that they are ready to go. Bring it on…
“I think the lads are looking really sharp. Like I said, we played at a good tempo [against Everton] and we have a great bunch of lads. We can’t wait for the season to start now.
“The pre-season games are all about getting your fitness and working on things as a team – we have done that well I think. The moment we have been waiting for is here and now the business starts.
“The fans were great as well and to get that amount [over 13,000] for just a friendly is fantastic; the place was rocking.
“Come Friday the place will be buzzing with the great fans we have and hopefully we can get the right result.”
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