‘We wanted to show a reaction’ - Canaries duo responded to Farke’s demands
Max Aarons celebrates Jamal Lewis scoring during Friday's win over Leicester at Carrow Road Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Max Aarons and Jamal Lewis responded to Daniel Farke’s demand for more attacking threat from Norwich City’s full-backs and now the youngsters are determined to keep delivering.
Aarons' burst of pace on the right led to Lewis curling in a sublime winner against Leicester at Carrow Road on Friday, with the left-back scoring the first league goal of his career and Aarons registering his second assist of the season.
England Under-21 international Aarons was a star performer during the victory with his buccaneering runs, emphasising the attacking expectations of modern full-backs on top of their defensive duties.
"That's the pressure that comes with playing at the highest level," said Aarons. "We're sat down the bottom of the table but it's something the manager demands from us.
"He was honest after the Wolves game (a 3-0 loss) and said we were not making enough runs in behind, we weren't high enough, not covering enough distance - in that game especially.
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"So we wanted to show a reaction and for Jamal to get the goal and me to get the assist was good."
Aarons finished last season with three goals and six assists in all competitions and Northern Ireland international Lewis with four assists. That productivity has been harder to come by during the current campaign though.
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"That was one thing that we were disappointed with," Aarons admitted. "Halfway through the season we said that as attacking full-backs we wanted to come up with more goal involvements.
"It's been unlucky for us, we've put some good opportunities in for the boys and they haven't managed to take them. But this was definitely a good moment for us going forward, so delighted with the goal involvements."
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Saturday's results may have pushed City back out to six points from safety but beating the Foxes has still raised spirits, ahead of Wednesday's FA Cup fifth round tie at Tottenham.
"It's been hard for the fans, going to Wolves the other week and having a performance like that, was a bit draining for them," the 20-year-old added.
"So that's the main thing for us, we're delighted to put a bit of belief back into the fans and also for us it's big."
