Yes, we’re back roars Adams
NEIL Adams says Norwich are ready to reignite their promotion push after Steven Whittaker’s last-gasp equaliser silenced the Rams.
The Canaries were on top for much of the match but defensive mishaps cost them, with Carlos Cuellar in particular given a rough ride by goalscorers Johnny Russell and Chris Martin.
Cameron Jerome had initially levelled proceedings up but it took a goal of real class from fullback Whittaker to bag a share of the spoils.
The game was not without its flashpoints, as an Alex Tettey strike was ruled out for offside in the first half while there was a strong handball shout in the build-up to Whittaker’s goal.
But Adams, whose side have started December by bagging seven points from nine, said: “I don’t think we got what we deserved.
“It was an excellent performance and the game plan went to perfection.
“Everyone in the country has seen us play well and they have probably been wondering why the results have not been great in recent weeks.
“I have just said to the players in there if you can come to a place like this, to a team that will be competing with us for promotion, out play them and be the better side, it just shows to everyone what we are capable of.
“There were three or four really contentious decisions, obviously one being our disallowed goal. “Yes Cam (Jerome) is in a offside position but is he in the goalkeeper’s line of sight? I am not so sure, those type of decisions rarely get given so we feel a little bit hard done by.”
Jerome was ruled as interfering with play when Tettey netted early on – before a lively Bradley Johnson hammered a long range shot narrowly over.
Then a sublime piece of skill on the stroke of half time nosed the Rams in front.
Martin brought a long ball down to earth exquisitely before playing a slide-rule pass to Russell, who took it in his stride and drove past John Ruddy.
Shortly after the break, the Rams failed to clear their lines and Jonny Howson found Jerome at the far post, and he made no mistake from short range.
Moments later, Cuellar hacked through Martin after the Derby hotshot nipped the ball away from his feet. Martin dusted himself down to smash home from the spot.
In the final third of the game, Jerome nearly diverted Johnson’s wayward drive into a shot on target, while the Rams backed off to allow Whittaker a crack at goal.
But Whittaker played the hero, rattling in a superb volley from a corner in the 89th minute that substitute Nathan Redmond’s endeavour created and man-ofthe-match Martin could not begrudge Norwich a point.
“We were a bit disappointed with the manner of the goal from the set-piece and just how the game went towards the end,” said Martin.
“But fair play to them, I think they put us under a lot of pressure in the second half and if anything deserved that goal, as difficult as it is for me to say that.
“It was a handball but sometimes you don’t get them, his hands were quite close to his body. There were several decisions that were up in the air for both sides.You win some, you lose some. We’ll review it but overall it was a pretty solid performance.”