Monk frustrated after dramatic draw against Norwich - 7M sport

Monk frustrated after dramatic draw against Norwich



Posted Sunday, August 05, 2018 by PA

Monk frustrated after dramatic draw against Norwich

Birmingham boss Garry Monk admits the nature of the 2-2 opening day home draw against Norwich was frustrating as he aims to strengthen his squad.

Following a goalless first half, Jacques Maghoma put Birmingham ahead in the
55th minute only for Hernandez to score an 84th minute equaliser.

Substitute Viv Solomon-Otabor then appeared to have won the game for Birmingham when he netted a last minute individual goal only for the persistent Hernandez to pop up again to salvage a point in a pulsating finish, with his second goal coming in the fourth minute of added time.

“It is always frustrating when you have a win within your grasp only to concede a last equaliser,” Monk said.

Birmingham, who have had a transfer embargo lifted, hope they can improve their squad but Monk has no complaints about the performance against a challenging Norwich side.

“Overall the most important feature was that we showed that we were focussed and ready to compete,” he added.

“It was typical first game of the season when it was blazing hot. We stepped up our game in the second half but as the game panned was frustrating to make a draw after Norwich scored in the last minute.”

Monk admitted the lack of depth in his side is a problem but said: “There is no sulking. We are where we are and we will now try to strengthen the squad and it is unfair to put too much expectation on the young players in the squad.

“It was a promising performance when we showed a lot of quality and I am happy with the way we played as there were a lot of positives.

“Looking at the game based on chances a draw was a fair result.”

Jacques Maghoma, who is noted for his spectacular goals, lived up to his reputation with a 55th opener which was not cancelled out until the persistent Hernandez obtained his first equaliser.

St. Andrew’s erupted when academy recruit Viv Solomon-Otabor danced through to regain the lead which he celebrated by running half the length of the pitch.

But the celebrations were a little premature as Hernandez popped up again as he cut in from the left to snatch a dramatic equaliser.

Norwich manager Daniel Farke expressed his disappointment despite the Canaries salvaging a point.

“We created a lot of chances and I am a bit disappointed we did not win,” he said.

“But a draw in the first away game is not too bad. We can live with that result.”

But  the Norwich boss also bemoaned losing his two key players, James Madison and Josh Murphy.

“It is difficulty to replace an outstanding player like Madison who scored 15 goals and had 15 assists. Murphy was our second highest goalscorer,” he added.

“Players in the group now have to improve to replace players of this quality.”

Farke, however, was full of praise for the goalscoring performance of Hernandez.

He said: “There were two brilliant finishing situations with a good assist for the second goal from Ben Marshall.

“Hopefully, he can maintain this kind of goalscoring form in the rest of the season as we  have tried to focus on him producing this kind of finishing.”

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