Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood said his team were "not good enough" as their top-four dream suffered a hefty blow in their 1-0 defeat at Carrow Road on Sunday.
The 45-year-old said his players were only sparked into life after Norwich had broken the deadlock.
Sherwood's comments echoed frustrations from post-match conferences in recent weeks in which he urged his players to start fighting from the first whistle.
But Robert Snodgrass scored in the opening moments of the second period and the hosts held on to claim a vital victory in their bid to stave off relegation.
"We weren't brave enough on the football and didn't take enough risks," said Sherwood.
"It was difficult but we had some clear-cut chances to score. If you don't take those you can't win football matches.
"It's bitterly disappointing for us that we're coming away with nothing and possibly never deserved it."
Roberto Soldado missed two clear chances, and Sherwood said of the goal-shy striker: "He just needs one to go in. The chances are coming he just needs to take it and hopefully we can see the player that he is."
