Clement's Challenge for Complete Performance
Philippe Clement has challenged Norwich City to turn the green shoots of their Charlton victory into a complete 90-minute performance against Watford. Read more about Jones Targets Norwich Breakthrough After Impressive Loan.
The Canaries ended their losing run with a 3-1 victory at The Valley, where Clement felt attack and defence finally came together for a sustained period after too often operating in isolation. Read more about Forson Shines in Israel After Norwich Exit.
Focus on Game Management and Decision-Making
But the City head coach insists that performance remains some way short of his side's ceiling and has identified game management and decision-making as the next stages of their development.
"The defensive part was there, and the offensive part combined, so we had too many the last months, or one part, or the other part, in games, and now everything was more combined during 70 minutes," Clement said.
"So that's the target now for next game to get it to 90, and like this to raise our levels again, because this is not the best game that the team can play."
Young Squad's Learning Curve Ahead
Clement wants his young side to become better at reading games, recognising when to play, when to battle and when greater control or pragmatism is required.
"They did the right things with the ball, and football is played with the ball. All the stuff without ball is super important, and they did that part also because it's the full package," he added.
"The game management after the 15 or 20 minutes, when to dig in, when to fight for the second balls, making blocks, helping each other, winning these second balls, and going forward, and also when we had the ball, to use the right moments."
Clement noted the importance of experience, highlighting Kenny McLean's return as a key factor for the team's development. "Happy also to see Kenny back in the second half. Only after two trainings, but you feel directly also he reads the game and he knows what the team needs in which moments, and that's super important to have a good team," he said.