Norwich make a case for Hughton staying around

Robert Snodgrass defended chief executive David McNally’s right to look around for potential successors to Norwich City manager Chris Hughton but hoped his winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur would ease the concern around Carrow Road.

Robert Snodgrass of Norwich City, centre, celebrates scoring the opening goal with teammates the Canaries 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Carrow Road on February 23, 2014. Michael Regan / Getty Images
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NORWICH 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0

Norwich City - Snodgrass 47'

Man of the Match - John Ruddy (Norwich City)

Robert Snodgrass defended chief executive David McNally's right to look around for potential successors to Norwich City manager Chris Hughton but hoped his winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur would ease the concern around Carrow Road.

McNally has said he has names in mind if the time to part company with Chris Hughton arrives.

That has triggered suggestions time could soon be up for Hughton with the Canaries, but a 1-0 win over Tottenham in the Premier League tussle should lift some of the pressure from the manager.

Asked about McNally’s remarks, Snodgrass said: “He’s got a job to do. The points are what he wants. He wants points on the board and we haven’t done that.

“I’m delighted, it’s a massive three points today.”

Snodgrass made the second-half breakthrough with a fine finish, and team-mate Bradley Johnson hit the underside of the Tottenham bar with a fine free-kick.

“Every one of the boys were terrific,” Snodgrass said.

“The performances in the past three to four weeks have been terrific. All the lads have been scratching our heads because we’ve been shooting ourselves in the foot with silly goals we’ve conceded.”

If there was any sign Hughton is feeling the strain, perhaps it came in a post-match interview as the former Tottenham defender spoke of this being Norwich's "first season back in the Premier League, so we know it's tough".

It is their third successive top-flight campaign, and they are eager to stretch that run.

“We all feel it at this football club. We don’t want to be in the position that we’re in,” Hughton said.

When it was pointed out to him that McNally looked emotional in the stands after the final whistle, Hughton added: “Everyone at this football club is pushing in the right direction.

“We only want results. If we show the character and quality we had today then we’ve got a chance.

“Let’s hope this is one step towards getting a few more points.”

Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood said his team were “not good enough”, as they only began to play after Norwich broke the deadlock.

“We weren’t brave enough on the football and didn’t take enough risks,” said Sherwood.

He added: “It was difficult but we had some clear-cut chances to score. If you don’t take those you can’t win football matches.

“It’s bitterly disappointing for us that we’re coming away with nothing and possibly never deserved it.”

Roberto Soldado missed two clear chances, and Sherwood said of the goal-shy striker: “He just needs one to go in. The chances are coming he just needs to take it and hopefully we can see the player that he is.”

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