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Bob Peeters revealed that a Norwich newspaper’s prediction that Charlton would get turned over last night provided the motivation for his side to stun the Championship leaders.
The Charlton boss altered his planned team talk after seeing the article and his players responded with a backs-to-the wall performance to stretch their unbeaten run to 10 games.
The visitors were on the backfoot for virtually the entire 90 minutes and hit Norwich with a sucker punch, a shot from Johnnie Jackson taking a wicked deflection to beat goalkeeper John Ruddy in the 86th minute.
“Norwich are a top team but I showed my players a local newspaper that had a prediction for them to win 3-0,” he said.
“If you play at Norwich, a team that win four games in a row, and one that call themselves one of the favourites to win promotion, then it is a good result to win 1-0.
“If you compare their budget to ours, then it already says a lot. Our boys worked very well. We defended well and football is not only about attacking but defending and sticking to the game plan. Away from home you need to keep it tight and if you get a chance you need to take it.”
The visitors did brilliantly to thwart the Canaries, the pick of the defending coming midway through the second half when it took a superb block from Andrew Bikey, and then a goalline clearance from Rhoys Wiggins to deny Wes Hoolahan.
“When we got in at half-time without conceding we knew they were under pressure and their crowd was getting frustrated,” said Peeters. “We had to stick to our game plan and we knew the chances would come.
“We defended very well and when we got a chance we took it, although I don’t think it would have gone in without the deflection.
“To be unbeaten after 10 games is very good and I am pleased my players have been rewarded for all their hard work. It hasn’t been easy but they have done all we have asked of them.”
Charlton are now up to seventh and Peeters was asked if he considered his side as promotion contenders.
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“I don’t talk about promotion,” he said. “At this stage it is all about getting points. If we are still in this position in a few months, we might have other ambitions.”
