TRAVEL-SICK CITY FEELING THE HEAT
FRUSTRATED Norwich City boss Alex Neil admits his side have got it all to do if they are to make the play-offs.
The Canaries lost vital ground following a flat 2-1 defeat at Burton Albion and are now seven points off the pace.
“We needed to win and we need to go on a good run again,” Neil said.
“We had the game and we have thrown it away. We need good form now until the end of the season and have got it all to do.
“The teams above us have points on the board. If we have any more mistakes like we did today it will make things very hard for us.
“We have got better players than Burton, but only if those players apply themselves and do the right things. We’re disappointed and frustrated. We were the makers of our own downfall.
“We were found wanting and that is why we lost the game.”
City only looked like play-off contenders during a purple patch at the start of the second half during which Cameron Jerome cancelled out Cauley Woodrow’s opener. But Michael Kightly struck with a neat chip on 56 minutes to secure three massive points for battling Burton.
Thrilled Brewers manager Nigel Clough hailed the win, which leaves his side four points clear of danger, as one of their best of the season.
“This is right up with our best wins of the season because of where we are in the league and the time of the season,” he said.
“This is about hard work and our desire to stop Norwich playing. The quality of Woodrow and Kightly, which we were searching for in January, has helped us win it. To hit back so quickly was superb, it gave us something to hang on to.
“It is about getting points on the board at this stage of the season. It is a big week for us and to get it off with a winning start is very important. We now have to concentrate on the games ahead and get points on the board.
“We have some big games ahead against teams around us and a chance to give us some daylight.”
Norwich came into the game on a six-game unbeaten run in the Championship, but were let down again by their poor away record. The Canaries have lost nine times away from Carrow Road this season, with only Forest and Rotherham having conceded more Championship goals on the road.
Yet Jerome was inches away from firing City ahead after he curled an effort just wide on 18 minutes.
Woodrow put Burton ahead on 25 minutes after Timm Klose was beaten by Lasse Vigen Christensen as he attempted to let the ball run dead. Christensen then rolled the ball into Woodrow’s path for a simple close-range finish.
Jon McLaughlin beat away a firm shot from Yanic Wildschut before Jerome headed wide as the Canaries started strongly after the break. And they drew level when Steven Whittaker’s wild effort smashed Jerome in the head and diverted past Jon McLoughlin on 52 minutes.
Burton responded superbly and were ahead again just four minutes later when Kightly chipped the ball over John Ruddy for his third goal in as many games.
Lloyd wasted a chance to wrap the points up when he skied an effort well over with seven minutes left.
But in the end it didn’t matter as Jonny Howson fired wide with a long-range volley, and City were denied a late penalty when Wes Hoolahan went down in the box under pressure.