Norwich City column: Gabriel Sara’s first goal the positive from defeat to Preston which ended unbeaten run

The fact Norwich City’s nine game unbeaten run came to end last weekend probably didn’t come as a huge surprise to many.

We’ve been talking about a series of underwhelming performances for weeks – and it always felt inevitable that without improvement we would come unstuck sooner rather than later.

That was certainly the case against Preston – who will feel they deserved to take the three points away from Carrow Road.

I could easily sit here and write about the same issues that have plagued large parts of this season, such as our failure to control the game in midfield, a distinct lack of cohesion in possession and our propensity to make individual errors at the back.

But in truth, I’d rather focus on one of the few positives, which was a first goal for Gabriel Sara.

The 23-year-old thought he’d earned his side a point with a neat finish from inside the penalty area – but sadly that joy was short-lived.

It’s difficult to assess the Brazilian’s start to life in Norfolk. He’s shown a lot of nice touches but has found it hard to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Championship.

In the games that he has started, I’ve often felt he has been a bit of a passenger, on the periphery of proceedings.

However, I refuse to be critical. It has to be remembered that he is a young man, who has moved half way across the world to a country where he doesn’t speak the language.

With big expectation on his shoulders too, given the money we stumped up to secure his services.

But there’s a reason why we did.

Sara is a player with great potential – and has the quality to be a real asset.

He’s skilful in possession and has wonderful awareness to find pockets of space between the lines.

I really hope this first goal will give him the confidence to make that step forward and claim a regular place in the starting XI.