David Wagner is urging Norwich City fans to get behind Adam Idah after his Hull City heroics.
The Republic of Ireland international pounced to seal a dramatic 2-1 Championship comeback win against the Tigers.
Idah himself opened up last season about how he had found it difficult at times to ignore the criticism, after a stop start senior career at Carrow Road.
A new longer term City deal since Wagner’s arrival only added to the scrutiny on the 22-year-old striker, but his head coach believes he can now kick on.
“We all together in the coaching staff said he just needed a goal,” said the German. “He is such a good lad, who has a lot of work to do, to be fair, but he needed a goal for the belief and confidence and to click with supporters as well.
“He deserves a lot of credit to come in with three minutes to go, plus stoppage time, and then to be at the right moment at the right position, this is exactly what you ask your striker. A good start for him and I hope this gives him a boost.”
Idah found himself at the centre of a controversial episode that resulted in Hull boss Liam Rosenior dismissed for his reaction to the forward’s 96th minute winner.
The Tigers were aggrieved at a number of facets of play before Idah, who appeared to be in an offside position when the ball bounced down from Sean McLoughlin’s touch, slotted home.
“Obviously if you concede late this is never nice. We were on the other side sometimes, I was on the other side in my managerial career as well,” said Wagner. “Adam was clearly in an offside position but the ball came from an opponent.
"So I think this was the discussions with the officials (after the goal) and fair play if the assistant and the referee decided this outcome as well.
“I was over the moon. A good team performance with some standout performances. First half, as I said, was very, very good. Apart from scoring the goals, and we conceded the goal where our centre halves have to do better for sure.
"But how they reacted, and the whole team reacted, was just great. We took it on the chin and showed we can deal with a situation like that. Jon Rowe scored a wonderful goal.
"And in the second half, we have to be honest, it was not as good as the first one, even if I think we were still in control and dominated the game without these clear cut chances.
"But at the end of the day, it was deserved win. First game at home, 1-0 down and to come back.”
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