DEANO’S CANARIES DOWN
A “BITTERLY disappointed” Dean Smith insisted he will take full responsibility for his role in Norwich’s relegation after their fate was sealed by defeat to Aston Villa.
He took charge of the Canaries in November after a poor start under Daniel Farke had left them five points adrift of safety.
Smith was unable to pull off the miracle of avoiding the drop – an outcome guaranteed by their loss at Villa Park and Burnley’s win at Watford – but did not shirk his share of the blame for a swift return to the Championship.
He said: “My reaction is obviously bitter disappointment and I fully take my responsibility as well.
“I think over the last four or five weeks there has been an inevitability about it.
“I’m disappointed that we’ve got relegated today because I thought the performance was good but unfortunately over the season our performances haven’t been good enough.
“We’ve lacked the quality that’s required in this league which, as we all know, is very tough.”
The highlight of the Norwich manager’s day came as he emerged from the tunnel at Villa Park to chants of “Deano” from the home supporters.
But the pleasantries were noticeably restricted to pre-match, with the first whistle marking the start of a competitive and largely scrappy game.
One rare early glimpse of quality came from Villa’s Leon Bailey, who forced Tim Krul to tip his dipping effort from the edge of the box on to the bar at full stretch.
But, having made a bright start, the Jamaican was soon forced off the pitch as he failed to shake off the after-effects of a firm but fair Brandon Williams challenge.
Fortunately for Villa, the enforced substitution worked in their favour, Danny Ings using his first touch to play a raking crossfield ball in behind to Ollie Watkins.
And, after capitalising on a Williams slip to work space, the England international crashed a powerful shot home just before the break.
Despite the visitors knowing the consequences of defeat, it was Villa who improved in the second period, with Watkins and Jacob Ramsey guilty of missing arguably the best of their chances.
Ings put the seal on a 2-0 win with a turn and shot inside the box in injury time, a blow that had Smith turning his attention to a promotion push next season.
Villa boss Steven Gerrard has no doubt that Norwich are capable of immediately returning to the top flight.
He said: “I’m disappointed for Norwich and Dean, he’s someone who I’ve got the utmost respect for.
“But I think they’ve employed him for the big picture. I’ve got no doubts that they’ll be one of the favourites to bounce back next year.”