Norwich boss Hughton taking positives from 5-0 Fulham defeat

Norwich manager Chris Hughton felt there were positives to take away from Saturday's 5-0 defeat by Fulham despite conceding it was "a poor performance".

City were 2-0 down at the interval and let in three more goals in the second half after Hughton changed tactics.

"We held our own in the first 25 minutes but the first two goals were poor to concede," he told BBC Sport.

"You can't put in a performance like we did against a team like Fulham and come away with anything other than defeat."

Hughton employed Grant Holt as a lone striker in the first 45 minutes but brought on Steve Morison at half-time after his side created little of note.

"The two goals hurt us in that first-half period," he continued.

"That changes things. You come out second half and you have to open up a bit more and we changed the shape to try to get back in the game but we came up against a very good Fulham team.

"Defensively we were not good enough and we need to get back to basics and look to make amends next week [at home against Queens Park Rangers].

"When we keep our shape and do the good things like we did in that first 25 minutes then we give ourselves a chance.

"It is the first day of a new season and we've got to pick everybody up and look for the positives and make sure that result and performance gives everyone the kick that will push us on.

"It was a poor performance. I don't have to tell the players again and again. They know that."

By contrast, Jol was delighted with his side's performance, particularly that of new striker Mladen Petric, whom he coached at Hamburg in the 2008-09 season.

The Croatian scored two and set up another in a wonderful debut and Jol said: "To have Petric on the scoresheet with two goals is great.

"He was scoring one in two, two and a half [games] at Hamburg so he could be a very good goalscorer.

"You won't [be able to sign players] when they're very good, and he wasn't very good lately. But I know he's a terrific player and if we can get him playing like that then he can be a good asset."