Stand-in skipper Ben Godfrey has called for calm and unity in the wake of Norwich City’s worrying 5-1 home defeat to fellow promoted side Aston Villa.
The Canaries' injury-ravaged squad suffered their third consecutive Premier League defeat to drop into the relegation zone, enduring the biggest Carrow Road defeat of Daniel Farke's reign as head coach.
"It was far from our best. Far, far from our best. We got severely punished today," the centre-back said bluntly. "It's never nice to concede five and lose in that fashion. We have to learn quickly. The international break is coming up so that's a bit of a break for everyone to come back refreshed after and be ready to go again.
"We're all passionate and we hate losing. There were a few words in the dressing room, but we have to stick together through these tough times. That includes the fans as well, the whole club. We have to stick together and I'm confident we will pull through this."
The 21-year-old was wearing the captain's armband again, with Grant Hanley and Alex Tettey both unavailable due to injury, but struggled to his frustrations as he played through the pain ahead of a hernia operation.
Godfrey was a key part of last season's title success in the Championship but admits adjustment to the top-flight demands is proving difficult.
"It's really tough because in the past year or so, we've just been on an incline," he continued. "We've had some unbelievable times and some unbelievable games. At the minute, we've just had some results which were always going to happen in the Premier League.
"We are playing against some tough teams and we got punished. We have to take today on the chin and come back refreshed."
MORE: Aarons admits Canaries let themselves down during heavy loss to Villa
The defender will not be joining up with the England U21s during the break, as he is flying out to Munich for his hernia operation, with the intention of being fit for the trip to Bournemouth on Saturday, October 19.
"I have the operation on Tuesday but it is what it is. It's very rare that you play at 100 percent in football," Godfrey added, speaking to City's official website. "It's been there the last couple of games but it's not an excuse. The break is coming up and it's a chance for us all to come back ready."
- You can follow chief Norwich City reporter David Freezer on Twitter @davefreezer or on Facebook @DavidFreezer1
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