Mark Robins joins Stoke fans in their approval of Steven Nzonzi’s return in draw

Mark Robins joined Stoke fans in their universal approval of Steven Nzonzi’s cameo return to the bet365 Stadium after a decade in their 1-1 draw against Norwich.

The 36-year-old former France international could not create or score a fairy-tale winner to finish off an often one-sided Championship contest after his 89th-minute introduction.

But boss Robins saw enough to know Stoke can benefit from the 2018 World Cup winner’s emotional comeback – even if his hearing might suffer.

“The introduction of the returning Messiah was fantastic to hear,” he said. “You can see the quality is there.

“He is marked tightly but he came out with the ball, he has good quality and finds the man in space and puts it in front of him.

“Those are the type of things you get from players like Steven. The supporters were right behind it trying to roar us on.

“I have an Apple Watch with an app telling me the decibels were too loud and any longer and it starts to make you go deaf.”

Nzonzi has played in Spain, Italy, Turkey, France and most recently in Iran since scoring on his farewell appearance in Stoke’s 6-1 rout of Liverpool 10 years ago.

“I have got to be careful with him,” added Robins on managing Nzonzi’s minutes. “I can’t throw him in and expect him to be ready to go.

“The fact he came on when he did was a good start for us. But we have got to do things right.”

Stoke should have been out of sight before Nzonzi’s comeback but they could not add to a 48th-minute Sorba Thomas goal, one of 23 shots the home side created.

His third of the season cancelled out a strike on his full Championship start for 21-year-old Jovon Makama after 26 minutes.

Both sides hit the woodwork in the second half but Norwich held on to extend an unbeaten record against the Potters to 10 games.

“I am pleased with the performance but we are all disappointed we didn’t get the second goal,” added Robins. “Conceding the first goal wasn’t too clever either.

“Those were the only things I can complain about. We were dominant from start to finish and in control more so than any other game since I have been here.”

Norwich are unbeaten in four away games since the start of the season but have yet to take three points at Carrow Road.

“It would be easy to solve if I knew the reason,” said manager Liam Manning of the Canaries’ inconsistency.

“For me, it starts with the mindset. When you look today we came and defended a lot but when we are at home we have to be the team on the front foot.

“We must be brave, go and back ourselves and believe in ourselves.

“I see the moments of quality the lads can produce like we did for the goal but we have got to do that more consistently.

“We are clear where we are in our journey. We have a huge amount of work to do and miles away from where we need to be.

“So, while we suffer a bit of pain how do we pick up points along the way? But this is a good point at a difficult place against a side that’s in a good spot when you look at their form and how they have been playing.”