Narcis Pelach content with Stoke point against former club Norwich

Posted Sunday, October 20, 2024 by PA

Narcis Pelach was happy to take a point as Stoke drew 1-1 with his former club Norwich.

The Spaniard left his position as first-team coach at Carrow Road last month to take up the top job at Stoke after Steven Schumacher was relieved of his duties.

Ante Crnac opened his account for the Canaries after his summer move from Rakow Czestochowa before Million Manhoef pulled the Potters level in a chaotic six-minute period before half-time.

Pelach said: “I have the feeling that in the second half we could have won but I think it’s fair to say the point is good for both teams, head-to-head, everyone wanting to win, a good football match.

“Enjoyable to see everyone going forward, everyone trying to get the win, and this is important because I told them it doesn’t matter if it’s Norwich, they have good feet, they play very well, but we need to defend our style as well.

“It was a good reaction after putting a lot of effort, a lot of energy into the game, a lot of intensity, and then 1-0 down, and one transition they will take advantage of this situation and score the second one.

“But we are working a lot from the mental point of view because we saw it the first game against Hull City how we went down after conceding a penalty, we don’t need to panic.”

Sweden international Viktor Johansson was called into action numerous times to protect the Potters’ point.

Pelach added: “Two very good performances from Viktor, in Swansea he played very well as well so I’m very happy with him but I want more and I already said to him that if he wants to become the goalkeeper that I think he could be one day, he need to put performances like this together.”

Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup thought his side could have taken all three points after an impressive first-half display.

He said: “I think there was more in it for us and I think especially based on the first half which was really, really good from our side. I think we could expect more in a game like this.

“Second half is too open, we have to defend too many corners and too many situations around our box, defending crosses and so on.

“It got a little bit too wild and I think they played even more vertical in the second half and even more passes in behind, even more runners in behind.

“I’m not satisfied with us giving away too many corners and free-kicks around the box because that’s 50-50 situations, so many things can happen in these situations and it’s not a game picture we want.

“We tried to change a little bit, towards the end of the second half we got the control we need and we want to be able to create the chances that we need to score that second goal but I don’t think we were close enough.

“It’s a tough league, there’s so many good teams, especially away from home. You have to be concentrated for 90 minutes and accept there will be minutes in the game you have to defend more than you want.”