Krul desperate for Canaries to find ruthless streak ahead of ‘huge game’ against Saints
Tim Krul issues his instructions during Norwich City's battle at Bramall Lane Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Tim Krul will not shy away from how crucial Saturday’s home clash with Southampton is for Norwich City, after being left disappointed not to claim a draw at Sheffield United.
The Canaries remain six points from safety with nine games remaining after the 1-0 loss at Bramall Lane, thanks to rivals West Ham, Watford and Bournemouth all losing as well.
"It's not rocket science, next week we need to win," the Dutch keeper said. "We've got a great squad, great players and great talents, it's just that ruthlessness that we are missing at the moment.
"We need wins, the home games we need to win and against the teams around us - that's the only way we deserve to stay in this league, if we beat those teams.
"We need to do it ourselves, we can't keep hoping for other teams not to do it. It helps that we're still playing the teams like Watford, Southampton, Brighton, Burnley.
Canaries keeper Tim Krul makes contact with Sheffield United goal-scorer Billy Sharp as he punches clear Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
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"There's no point beating around the bush, we have to stand up and be counted, Southampton at home is a huge, huge game."
Daniel Farke's squad had travelled to Sheffield buoyed by a 1-0 home win over Leicester and a midweek penalty shoot-out success at Tottneham in the FA Cup fifth round, but were deservedly behind to a Billy Sharp goal at the break and couldn't force an equaliser during an improved second half display.
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"That's football unfortunately, one night you're on a massive high and now it's a massive low again, that's why you always have to try and stay level headed," Krul continued.
"As a team we need to look at the facts, I think we've done enough to at least walk away with a point, we had some massive chances, but that's the story we've been saying for many weeks now, that we need to be more ruthless.
Tim Krul's goal came under constant aerial bombardment during the first half at Bramall Lane Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
"We hit the post and in the second half I don't know how the ball didn't go in, to be honest.
"It's a difficult place to come to and many teams have problems trying to get something here. I thought we'd done enough, but yet again we're standing here empty-handed."
The Dutchman admitted the decisive goal came as a result of City failing to deal with the hosts' aerial bombardment, with John Lundstram given time to whip in a perfect cross for Sharp to head in.
He added: "There were a lot of corners and crosses and that's what the manager had told us to try and stop because that's their strength, we know that they love to put the ball in the box.
"Unfortunately it's the odds that if you get 20 crosses in the box one of them will go for them, and that's what's happened."
