Boss Jim Magilton felt his players once again saved one of their worst performances for the Sky cameras as his side failed to turn up as they lost 2-0 to Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Magilton said: "We've saved all our worst performances for the cameras this season.
"In tight games if you get the first goal it can see you through and we needed to put that away.

"But on the day they deserved the win and their moment in the sun. Norwich's intensity was very high and we didn't match that at times."

The Town manager was unhappy that key central defender Gareth McAuley was off the field receiving treatment to a head wound when Norwich scored their second goal: "It's a ridiculous law, whoever made that needs shooting. Why they have to go off the field is anyone's guess.

"But we've missed Gareth through injury in recent weeks and have people come in who have headed and kicked it away, so you can't legislate for that.

"Someone should have been brave enough to put their head on it. Leroy Lita was bright to spot it and point it out [to the referee], I've no complaints about that. I just wish we had been half as bright."

Norwich manager Glenn Roeder was unsurprisingly pleased: "When I was Newcastle manager we won 4-1 against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and this is equal to me.

"Our lads were hugely motivated. I walked in the dressing room an hour-and-a-half before kick-off and I didn't need to fire them up at all. They knew the need to win for the club.

"Any unbeaten run has to start somewhere and this would be the perfect platform. We are not a bottom six side.

"This squad is technically very talented and it was no fluke to put five past Wolves. We've had our moments against the top sides but we have to prove we can do it against anyone."

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