Daniel Farke disbelieving after Canaries have wings clipped by Bolton

Posted Sunday, February 25, 2018 by PA

Daniel Farke cut a frustrated figure after his Norwich side were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Bolton at Carrow Road.

The Canaries were celebrating after drawing their previous two games, with last-minute goals earning them precious points against local rivals Ipswich and then leaders Wolves.

But it was a different story this time around as the Canaries were unable to turn their domination into points, with Moritz Leitner wasting the best of numerous chances just before the break after being put clean through.

“It is unbelievable that we didn’t win that game,” said Farke.

“I thought it was probably our best home performance of the season. We were outstanding in defence, outstanding in possession and outstanding in creating chances.

“But you can’t win a game if you don’t score a goal and it was extremely frustrating. It felt a lot different to the draws against Ipswich and Wolves, that’s for sure.

“It’s not even that we created one or two chances. In the first half we had at least five 100-per-cent chances and could easily have been four or five up.

“It is a disappointing result but I can’t be too critical of the lads because they played really well.”

Farke was sent to the stands by referee Keith Stroud deep into stoppage time after angrily kicking the ball away when Leitner was penalised for a foul throw – and he revealed afterwards that it was the first time he had been punished in such a way.

“It was pure frustration – and not a very good touch,” he said.

“I was angry that a lot of Bolton time-wasting went unpunished and then the linesman somehow spotted a foul throw from 30 metres away. All I can do now is apologise for my actions and ensure everyone that it won’t happen again.”

Bolton manager Phil Parkinson was delighted to come away from Carrow Road with a point.

“That was a proper shift from the lads,” he said. “It is the sort of effort you are looking for from your players when you are on your travels, especially against a good team like Norwich.

“We were put under a lot of pressure in the first half because they were finding a lot of space but he had a word about that at half-time and adapted really well in the second half. We restricted them and had one or two moments ourselves which might have produced a goal.

“But I am delighted we have come away with something to show for our efforts. We had an important win against Sunderland in midweek and it’s great that we have backed that up with a point today.

“I am really pleased for the players. Managers in this league talk a lot about mentality and strength of character because every game is really tight and sometimes it’s the character of the players than can pull you through. They have shown today what a good group they are against a very good team.

“I should imagine Norwich would have hoped to have been higher in the table with the players they have at their disposal and it’s a great effort to have taken four points off them this season.”