Town manager Roy Keane again had praise for new skipper David Norris after the midfielder fired in his fourth goal of the season to seal the Blues’ 1-0 Carling Cup win at Crewe in extra time. Keane was also delighted with keeper Brian Murphy’s performance on his return to the side.
The Town boss says Norris, who has so far been rated as the Blues’ man of the match in every game this season by TWTD readers, was still going in the 120th minute at Gresty Road: "He did very well, even in the last few minutes his energy and fitness levels were fantastic.
"He had a good pre-season with us. This time last year we lost him for four months and maybe we all underestimated how big a loss he was to us.
"He’s leading well, he’s enjoying having the captaincy and it was a very, very good finish. I think it was going to take a good finish from someone tonight because the goalkeepers looked decent. Luckily for us David got that goal and we’ll head back down the motorway a happy team.”
Keane was similarly pleased with keeper Murphy: "He was very, very good. Very sharp, not just physically, but mentally. His decision-making was good as were his starting positions. His body language was good, he commanded the area and made some very, very good saves for us, which we needed.”
The Town boss now looking to be given a home draw, having been away for all his Town cup ties so far: "We hope so. It’s six away draws in a row, so please God can we get a home draw, especially for our supporters, who will have spent a few quid travelling up and down the country.”
The draw is being held at the weekend during Soccer Saturday on Sky between 12.15pm and 12.30pm.
Overall Keane continues to be pleased with his squad with one or two of the sidelined players returning soon: "The signs are decent and in two or three weeks we’ll have some of the injured boys back, Connor and Mark Kennedy in particular. We need to kick on now and keep showing the character and fighting spirit we showed tonight.”
Crewe manager Dario Gradi was pleased with his side despite their defeat: "We entertained the crowd and they enjoyed it, our supporters don't always enjoy us losing but it was a good game for them.
"It was against a bigger club than us, I thought it was an even game without many chances. A few of our lads need to improve the quality of their play but I thought they were very good.
"I said to them after normal time they had done well, I almost wished we had lost in the last minute of full time, but I quite fancied us if it was going to go to penalties.
"Over the game we had some good chances and I think Clayton Donaldson had the best chance in the first half and we got a bit more from Joel Grant. I think the Cheltenham game [when they lost 3-2] was a one off for us and we certainly looked hard to beat."