Robert Snodgrass paid for his exertions with a painful attack of cramp that required attention in the closing stages. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images

Robert Snodgrass and Anthony Pilkington get special mention from Norwich City boss Chris Hughton

Paddy Davitt Monday, November 19, 2012
1:29 PM

Norwich City’s wide boys Robert Snodgrass and Anthony Pilkington earned Chris Hughton’s seal of approval.

Pilkington’s athletic glancing header sunk Manchester United, but it was their combined efforts without the ball to subdue Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia that impressed Hughton.

Snodgrass’ exertions left the Scotland international prone on the turf in the closing stages suffering from cramp, to typify City’s will to try and limit United’s supply from the flanks.

“He covered a fair distance,” said Hughton, following Snodgrass’ late exit for Elliott Bennett. “It is always a balance and most teams against Manchester United do that width better than anybody. The other top teams generally would not play with two out and out wingers. United do and the crosses they get in is shown up by the amount of goals they score. If you are getting wide midfield players to work hard going backwards it is going to take a little away from your offensive play. Both of them did it well.”

Hughton is urging Pilkington to improve his personal tally after opening his account for the season in style.

“I thought it was an excellent goal. Anthony has that quality and I thought he was excellent,” he said. “He had to be – particularly with Valencia on that side. I don’t think the goalkeeper could have done much about it, but it was nice to see him scoring. He has that quality to be scoring more goals. He’s a good player, Anthony. He’s probably got to add a few more goals to his game because he is capable of it. But I thought it was a very good all-round performance from him. I thought his overall game, even defensively, getting back in, was excellent.”

City’s collective desire edged United’s undoubted class and that is the way Hughton views the survival equation over the entire duration.

“I think so – and that is no disrespect to any players,” he said. “This Premier League is such a tough, tough league and there are teams that are very established in this league. This is only our second season after having a very good season last season.”

19 comments

2 more for Cureton last night, inc the winner. Oh for a time machine.........

Report this comment

Mad Brewer

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Good old Jamie, Sumo! Marvellous player. Enjoying his dotage in Devon, I hope. One like him in his prime would be good. Rather hoped Cinnamon or Vaughan might do the trick but IHWT.

Report this comment

Mad Brewer

Tuesday, November 20, 2012
I see Jamie Cureton is scoring a few goals

Report this comment

Sumo27

Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Interesting comments about what positions we need to cover. I agree that another genuine wide man with pace could be a good thing, though we also have the option of swapping Snods to the left and playing Bennett on the right. As for up front, I have yet to speak to a canary fan who doesn't feel we need someone else to come in. I am not sure whetherit was a mistake in the summer, or whether other areas were identified as being a higher priority and whether they were able to find the right player. I am glad they didn't just go out and bring in someone for the sake of it as that is something QPR would do! We have to bring in someone who adds to what we already have. I am sure the scouting teams will be doing their hwk as we speak and hopefully identifying two or three possible options. OTBC

Report this comment

Preston Canary

Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Just goes to show why I didn't choose football management as my career! Well done Pilks - made me eat my words! Great goal, and great performance on the day. Really hope he keeps it up - he's certainly got the quality.

Report this comment

Dobbino

Monday, November 19, 2012
The Hendecagon. 11 goalkeepers!! ;-)

Report this comment

Mad Brewer

Monday, November 19, 2012
The trouble is that we all love having Wes in the team but under the 4-2-3-1 that CH likes we have to have a lone soldier up front. Clearly this formation really tightens up the defence with Johnson-Tettey Bouncers Ltd. controlling in front of the back four. If we go 4-4-2, we might not have Wes. If we go to the Lambo Diamond we have to loose Johnno or Tettey. What to do?

Report this comment

Swiss Canary

Monday, November 19, 2012
Heaven forbid, I sincerely hope not. Jonny Sutton would be better, and Hearts need a couple of grand...

Report this comment

Soglio Star

Monday, November 19, 2012
West Ham's Carlton Cole on the radar reported over the weekend.

Report this comment

Peter Watson

Monday, November 19, 2012
Since the 1st day of the season we have needed another class striker. Holt is invaluable because all teams put not one but 2 centre halves on him, but he is being largely nullified by this tactic, hence his poor scoring record this term. I suspect that both messers Mcnally and Hughton are hugely aware of this close season mistake and will seek to rectify it come January.

Report this comment

Algarve Canary

Monday, November 19, 2012
Speculation will come and go in various degrees between now and January. I would wait a little longer as you never know as good as we are at present, or rather as damn good as we are at present, you need to cover for injuries and also as the season goes on and teams get a handle on us we need to change it. If you look back to last season we tailed off towards the end so I would imagine hoots is thinking long term and I for one will not go against his calls ok will not go against 90% of his calls. OTBC

Report this comment

Singapore Canary

Monday, November 19, 2012
Holt, Moro & Jacko the only ones still left up front if you take out Vaughan, Chrissy and Kane so we'd need a 4th really. I'd sack Kane off straight away and go for someone more powerfulfast like Vaughan, but not injured! I think we can handle CB with Bass, Turner, R.Bennett and Barnett plus R.Martin and Whittaker to cover. I'd save the money for a striker and competition on the left wing

Report this comment

YorkCanary

Monday, November 19, 2012
I'd maybe take Frimpong to compete with Tettey and Johnson or cover their injuriessuspensions etc as we don't have another proper defensive mid. Plus Frimpong can pass and bomb forward quite well from what I saw of him last season. However, we don't really need that I guess. I'd sell C.Martin, E.Ward, Lapps and K.Smith. None seem to be in our plans. I think he may be tempted with sales of Ayala and Vaughan if they are bid for in Jan, but otherwise he'll see how they last the full season (early signs not great)

Report this comment

YorkCanary

Monday, November 19, 2012
On the CB front we still have the £3million Ryan Bennett and Barnett. I imagine Ward will be sold? Barnett too? But what`s to happen for Ryan? Surely he has a future? It`s clear that Hoots knows what he wants even if it means a bit of a clear-out. We`ve already lost a few eg Crofts, Wilby, Drury under Hoots tenure. Ward, C. Martin next? Vaughan, Ayala, K. Smith? Hoots has certainly changed things quietly but significantly already. I like the cut of his jib.

Report this comment

Mad Brewer

Monday, November 19, 2012
I'm happy with R.Bennett covering CB and think he's one for the long-term. He'll be learning plenty off Turner and Bass (sounds like a comedy duo or hi-fi equipment brand) I'd love to see a pacey, energetic forward with solid technique and competition for Pilks on the left (harsh on Surs, but I'm thinking of someone who can have more of an impact)

Report this comment

YorkCanary

Monday, November 19, 2012
What a great position to be in, having players of Surman and Fox's quality as fringe players...Russ Martin is also now in the unfortunate position of having lost his place to the rather impressive Whittaker which all adds to the competition for places and a nice headache for Hughton to have. I would still like to see a quality Centre Half and Striker added to the squad in January though...just to be on the safe side!

Report this comment

PepperJ17

Monday, November 19, 2012
I'm sure there'll be changes in January both in and out with aim to strengthen further. Standing still is going backwards in this league. Midfield looks very well covered as is keeper so that means probably centre half forward?

Report this comment

Barry Rasberry

Monday, November 19, 2012
Fox could be playing somewhere for sure and I wouldn't be surprised to see him go if we stick with the sitting two. However, we do need options and I'd hope we'd at least replace him with a younger model who can pass well if he leaves. Lapps will certainly go by summer I'd assume as he will be struggling to get anywhere near first team - still have Tierney who can't get games with Garrido playing. Left mid is also covered by Surs and he could be replaced too with a pacier bit of competition for Pilks in summer. How about Hoilett if QPR go down?!?

Report this comment

YorkCanary

Monday, November 19, 2012
Those two did work really hard - they all did! It`s also reassuring to know we have E. Bennett and Howson capable of filling similar roles. I`m beginning to wonder where Surs, Lapps & Foxy fit into the scheme of things. Three super players to have around, but I`m sure they`d rather be playing regularly.

Report this comment

Mad Brewer

Monday, November 19, 2012