Bristol boss frustrated by wasted penalty but admits Robins were ‘far too open’ during defeat to City
Despair for Bristol City but celebrations for Norwich City as Nahki Wells puts his spot-kick over the bar with the Canaries leading 3-1 at Ashton Gate lPicture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Dean Holden was left to wonder what could have been after Nahki Wells’ awful penalty against Norwich City, but admitted his team were ‘far too open’ during their 3-1 defeat at Ashton Gate.
Teemu Pukki had the Canaries 2-0 up inside 14 minutes, only for Jack Hunt to halve the deficit immediately. Emi Buendia put the visitors into a comfortable 3-1 lead just before the break, but only after Tim Krul had made a brilliant save to prevent Chris Martin scoring an equaliser.
Robins boss Holden said: “We were far too open and easy to score against. That isn’t like us because we have looked pretty solid in the games up to now. But we have work to do to get back to where we want to be.
“Going forward, we were always a threat and the save Tim Krul made from Chris Martin’s header was out of the top drawer.
“But we had things to sort out at half-time because their third goal was a sucker punch. I felt we got a response to what was said.”
Nahki Wells faces up to his annoyed team-mates after a penalty miss, as relieved Norwich players celebrate around him Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
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Krul made another save from Martin but as Norwich wasted a succession of chances to wrap up the win, stand-in left-back Jacob Sorensen brought down Kalas and striker Wells had the chance to set up a grandstand finish in the 75th minute.
However, he chipped tamely over the bar and the Canaries were able to ease their way to a fourth win in five games, putting Daniel Farke’s team fourth in the Championship table after nine matches, with 17 points from a possible 27.
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It left Bristol without a win in five since a host of injuries to important players knocked them off course, including Fulham loanees Alfie Mawson and Steven Sessegnon, having won their first four matches of the season.
“Nahki is disappointed with his penalty. He didn’t execute it properly and it was a vital moment in the game,” Holden continued. “Had we scored then, there would have been time to get an equaliser.
Dean Holden has seen his Bristol City side go five games without a win after their defeat to Norwich Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire - Credit: PA
“We had momentum for much of the match and caused a lot of problems to a team fresh down from the Premier League.
“But we cannot defend like that and expect to win games. It has been a tough little run for us, but you have to expect difficult games in the Championship.
“We are still well placed after our good start and need to get back to winning ways quickly.”
