Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup knows his side need to defend better at set-pieces after watching them draw 1-1 with QPR at Carrow Road.
The Canaries needed a well-taken equaliser from Marcelino Nunez in the 89th minute to rescue a point from the Championship clash after a Rangers corner had gone in off Ante Crnac on the stroke of half-time.
“Since the last international break about 40 per cent of the goals we have conceded have come from set-pieces and we have to be better at that,” Thorup said.
“It is something we are working very hard to improve because it is just not good enough. We can be doing well in a game and then one free-kick, one corner and everything changes.
“That was the case today because we should never have gone at half-time behind – we did well in the first half, created some good chances, but then that goal changes the game completely.
“In the end the guys did all I could ask of them to push for an equaliser and fortunately we got one in the end. To have lost a game like that would have been a disaster.”
Rangers were on the back foot for much of the game but got their noses in front when Kenneth Paal’s corner to the near post was deflected in off Norwich striker Crnac.
The visitors then set about defending their lead and almost succeeded, with a number of good chances going begging before Nunez earned the hosts a deserved point with a minute of normal time remaining.
The Canaries were able to work the ball into the penalty area from a quick throw and substitute Onel Hernandez coolly set up Nunez to fire into the bottom corner from around 10 yards.
Rangers coach Marti Cifuentes was disappointed with the late goal – but admitted the opposition probably deserved it.
“I cannot say it was unfair on us but obviously the fact that the goal came so late, and we were so close to taking all three points, is very frustrating,” he said. “We switched off a bit and it was very costly.
“But overall I was pleased with the way we played – it was a pleasing response to the way we performed at Swansea (a 3-0 defeat) when he were below our normal standards.
“I thought the first half was as well as we have played for a little while and in the second we had to deal with a lot of pressure from a good team and defended well.
“It was a good effort from the team and I am pleased with the attitude they showed.”
