Giannoulis' homework is paying off for Smith

The tussle between Sam Byram and Max Aarons has bubbled in recent games, and with Brandon Williams available after sitting out last weekend’s Manchester United defeat, Smith is weighing up a dilemma on the opposite flank.

Dimi Giannoulis, however, delivered another compelling case for inclusion at Old Trafford, in a shape that positively encourages his attacking instincts.

But it is the Greek’s recent defensive improvement that pleases his boss.

“He is giving me a much bigger problem and a better problem,” said Smith. “I thought he was one of our better players at Brighton, he played well against Burnley and he's done well against Manchester United, capped by the pass for (Teemu) Pukki to set up (Kieran) Dowell. But his defending was also better as well, and he's getting fitter.

“We have been working with him on not diving in, or planting your feet in and around our penalty box. That is something I am big on and it goes for all the defenders. It just gives the attacker the answer before he's even been asked a question. Some players do have that habit of trying to win a ball they can't win.

"We've been working on that and trying to affect the play by getting in the face of the opposition, but not making a decision. Let them make the decision.”

Teemu Pukki notched a hat-trick in this Premier League fixture two seasons ago (Image: Focus Images Limited)

City’s new found productivity at the other end is a further sign a style of play is slowly emerging under Smith. But there is still too great a reliance on Pukki’s predatory instincts.

The Finn has enjoyed his Premier League encounters against Newcastle, with a fearsome half volley earlier this season earning a point, and a hat-trick in this Carrow Road fixture two seasons ago earning him plaudits, and the distinction of becoming Norwich’s first Premier League hat-trick hero since Efan Ekoku 26 years earlier.

“We need goals from other areas of the pitch, which is why it was nice to see Kieran get on the scoresheet at Old Trafford,” said Smith. “We've not scored enough goals from set pieces. I was really excited when Grant (Hanley) scored in my first game when I came here but unfortunately that has been his only goal so far.

"Milot (Rashica) has scored the one goal this season as well.

“We work on our shot locations and some of the attempts are very low risk shots, where we're basically not going to score, so we need to get into better shooting positions. We're getting more numbers into the penalty box now and better quality at times.

"What we know is if you give Teemu chances he will score, and you saw that last week with the pass from Kieran.”

Dean Smith will not give up the fight in Norwich City's bid to beat the drop (Image: Focus Images Limited)

Goals is one thing, cutting out mistakes is another.

“I think the group's in a good place. But individually, we've just made too many big mistakes,” said the City boss. “I'm still frustrated that we took nothing from that Manchester United game. We've made too many mistakes that have cost us goals and points.

"We're in a must-win mentality, with the position we are in the league. We can't look at other results until we get them ourselves. We just keep fighting. I've been in a fight many times. Craig Shakespeare has been in a fight as well, at Leicester the year before they won the league, and our job is to win games.

“We competed at Old Trafford against good players. Before that we played really well against Burnley at home, and got our supporters behind us. That's an important thing to do again, and if we do we'll be more than a match against Newcastle.

“We played them in November at their place and were in similar positions. Obviously they've since spent big and brought in some big players, really good players at this level.”