Toby pleased with defensive showing

Toby Alderweireld was encouraged by the manner of our defensive display in our 0-0 draw against Watford on Saturday and is hoping it's something we can build on when we welcome Norwich City to N17 on Wednesday night (7.30pm kick-off).

We'd travelled to Vicarage Road knowing we were in for a significant test. Under Nigel Pearson, our hosts had won four of their last five in the league and hadn’t lost at home since November. Yet, through discipline and resilience, we picked up a well-earned point and earned our first clean sheet on the road in the Premier League for over a year.

In defence, we dealt with everything that was thrown our way in what was a real test of concentration levels. On 71 minutes the back line had to deal with five crosses inside 60 seconds and that was just a minute after Paulo Gazzaniga had palmed away a Troy Deeney spot-kick – his third penalty save against the Hornets in as many games after two decisive stops in our Carabao Cup third round shootout win last season.

At the other end, we also had chances to take all three points for ourselves. Erik Lamela came closest to breaking the deadlock late on – his 91^st-minute strike was just 10.4 millimetres away from crossing the line before it was cleared by Ignacio Pussetto.

It was moments like that which Toby felt victory hinged on - the penalty save, the last-gasp clearance - but, nonetheless, with a clean sheet in hand following such a test, the defender feels the result is a step in the right direction ahead of the midweek visit of Norwich.

“If we were a little luckier, we might have won the game,” Toby said as he dissected the draw. “It was a big fight for us, especially in defence. We had to work hard for the clean sheet. It was a difficult game, we knew it would be beforehand but then right at the end with Erik Lamela, it was just millimetres away and we could have taken the three points.

“Defensively it was not only a mental challenge but a physical one as well. We know it’s tough to play at Vicarage Road for the 90 minutes. They play long and it’s impossible to win every header and we knew it was going to be difficult but again, we defended well.

“Now we need to get three points against Norwich. It was a good away performance at Watford. Again, we didn’t concede too many chances against a team in a very good moment and with a little more luck, especially with the last action, we could have won. It’s the same story but if we work like this and play like this, the three points will follow.”