As Norwich City started off the new year in winning form with a singular goal from Alex Tettey enough to secure three points against Southampton at Carrow Road, manager Alex Neil spoke of his delight to see his team earn their third win in four league games.
Neil made just one change to the side which defeated Aston Villa, with Gary O’Neil making his 200th Premier League appearance in place of Graham Dorrans, who dropped to the bench.
It was a 63rd minute substitute, which broke the deadlock as Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe replaced Nathan Redmond, which ultimately forced Southampton to be wary of a dangerous City attack. The Belgian teed up Hoolahan just minutes before setting up Tettey to guide the ball into the top corner.
Speaking to the Eastern Daily Press , Neil ensured to praise his goalscorer:
I have been encouraging Alex to get forward a bit more. He got his goal at Manchester United and another one here and they have been important for wins. [I’m] delighted for him.
That was before the Scottish manager, who will celebrate a year in Norfolk against Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday, also praised the efforts of super-sub Odjidja-Ofoe.
We had three key changes, we didn’t take any of them, and I felt around the 60 minute mark there was a bit of a lull and we needed to force things, being the home team. Vadis Odjidja gave us that injection of quality and creativity.
Alex Neil also left time to credit the team as a whole and questions being answered at the earliest opportunity.
I am over the moon with the boys because when difficult questions are being posed about them, the best way to respond is to win games. We have won two games and kept two clean sheets so a lot of positives to take.
Although City’s goal came just after the sending off of Victor Wanyama, Alex Neil believed his side had the best chances beforehand. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said:
I think, up until that point, we had the best chances in the game. Obviously we hadn’t converted but when the opposition goes down to ten men, it gives you an advantage and we took full advantage of that.
When asked about the opening of the January transfer window, Neil once again left no room for speculation.
There’s been a lot of discussions ongoing and we will see what we can manage over the course of the next month.
