Having watched the game (whilst listening to Radio Norfolk's coverage) it seemed quite clear it could have been won by either side, but i'd suggest the general play was in our favour. Funny thing is we looked like the home side, and really asserted ourselves throughout the game. We dominated the centre of the park, and had better and were better in possession, and we certainly sounded like it (kudos to the fans on that one), whereas Wigan looked very sporadic (much like their fans), in bursts and errors across the park. The former was to their benefit on the counter, that they relied on and executed clinically, well and often. They were frightening in the final third, for they were usually attacking with pace when many of our players and full backs were stationed in their half; whereas we were often (rather than going for goal) trying to find our way through 11 Wigan players, especially after Wigan had scored. It was Wes' goal that released that congestion in the Wigan half. Had he not of scored, we'd of probably been trying to boot the ball through a wall of Wigan players all afternoon to no avail. Wigan's penalty clearly shouldn't of been, but credit to De Laet, for without him we would have unjustly lost, thanks to a couple of heroic blocks. We looked very solid in summary, never more so than after the equaliser, and once we find our rhythm we'll become a more 'fuller' side in both a defensive and attacking sense (much like last season). And much like the beginning of last season, when Holt kicks into form, that is when i reckon we'll raise it several gears. On this evidence, Ipswich fans (in general) could not have been more wrong.
Absolutely delighted to see the match thread used to this extent, excellent! I will reserve judgement on the performance until I've seen the highlights, but it seems that we've given a decent account of ourselves and demonstrated that we refuse to be rolled over. I still think that we're too lightweight for the prem and we will undoubtedly struggle, but if we can pick up points away at places like Wigan and perform well at home we should be safe well before the final game. Happy with the result.
Sorry, but if that's the best you've got having been all pumped up for your first game in the Premier League I think you're in for a short stay. No guarantee of course that we'll be avoiding relegation ourselves, though I think we played better today than we have for a while, but I expected much more from Norwich. Yes you could have snatched a win, but I thik only because we let you back into the game. We should have imposed ourselves more than we did. And we should have taken all three points.
Considering we don't do first game of the season, I think we should be rather pleased with that. I think nerves got the better of us at times in the first half, but that's understandable. We looked a little open at times, with Wigan having lots of direct and quick counter attacks, but the defence held firm. Holt and Morison caused the wigan defence a lot of problems, and could have scored plenty. Very pleased overall
These threads are very much appreciated fella, keep them coming as they will always be supported by us lot on here
Finally seen MotD and I have to say we didn't look too bad. Hoolahan took his goal well, as for the penalty decisions, IMO the first was a foul but the it occurred just outside the box and the moment took them inside the box, the second one probably was a penalty but the over theatrical way the Wigan player went down probably convinced the ref it was a dive
Yus a Latic - it is a bit quiet on here for us lot, i'll need to make a mention of not606 on This Northern Soul! I was a disappointed that some Wigan fans booed the team off at the end but I think that came about as a result of two things - first, your lot really weren't very good. Second we allowed you into the game rather than you forcing your way back. Yes you created some chances and yes you could've won the game and we would've just had to say that's football. But there was a big gap between Wigan and Norwich yesterday and we should have made that tell. Like you say, maybe nerves got the better of them for that first half and they showed something in the second. And maybe as everyone keeps telling us it'll be your home form which keeps you up. But all I'm saying is based on that performance today I think a lot of teams will exploit your weaknesses more than we managed to do. Of course I've only seen them once and you've seen them plenty - I just expected them to come at us the way that lackpool did last year. Best of luck for the rest of the season though.
If you think that's the best we can do your sadly mistaken. It was a nervous start but we still controlled big parts of the game. You caused us problems down the left but you have to understand, we're Norwich, we ride our luck all the time. We had a draw in the premier league and our manager brought on two wingers. Expect to see more of that. I think the only way you'd have won the game is if that cheating twat disanto had won you another penalty. We'll remember him for the carrow road leg.
Good morning all... First of all, wigan athletic! Dear o dear is all i can say, i have never seen such a terrible home performance in all my born days, only one tactic and that was to get it straight to moses and let him run. now if you cant beat us on your own patch using that tactic and thats all you have to offer then you should be the ones concerned! Second of all, that was no way a penalty, even if there was minimal contact (shoulder to shoulder) it began OUTSIDE the area, di santo the cheating little toe-rag tried to con the ref into another one aswell, and to see hansen say they were both penalties Thirdly our performance, not bad but i know we can offer more. We always make a slow start to the season, especially holty and he certainly didnt look like himself yesterday. Nerves were clearly evident aswell. I liked the look of morison, im suprised of his pace, didnt really see that out of him in the friendlies but i think he will improve as we progress. Tierney and surman on the left looked alot better than crofts and martin on the right, i was suprised lambert didnt start with bennett inplace off crofts but maybe thats a change we shall see for stoke. also need to remember though both have been injured over the past couple of weeks, but i think crofts may just struggle a bit, though im willing to give him time. Barnett came on and gave a much better presence than whitbread i think, and i must say i did not like how we were passing at the back so often and so casually. Against other sides we would have been caught out even more... Overall, im happy with our start and i know we shall improve, roll on stoke! OTBC ILWT
Perhaps we were distracted by the empty seats? The eye tends to wander in such situations... I jest of course! It was first game of the season, we are obviously not going to be at our best, but what we did was enough for a point at a much improved Wigan side. I feel there's lots of reason for optimism, and a few areas of concern which PL will obviously address. We will struggle this season, anyone who thinks we won't is greatly mistaken, but we will do enough for survival, as today has demonstrated. When its backs to the wall time we can handle it, and when we have to strike out, we can. As I say, the game demonstrates that we can (and will) survive, if we improve on yesterday then hopefully we can do it well before the end of the season. Also, a quick word for Wigan, from what I saw they looked great value for money, surprise package this year IMO. The first pen shouldn't have been, but if it were Holty we would have said it was fair play and he was working hard, using the situation etc. All the best! OTBC CS
I was at the game yesterday. First I have to say what great support by my fellow Canaries - 4500 fans - brilliant. Wigan crowd was quiet and sparse although the stadium itself was a nice one. When I saw the Wigan team sheet I thought we had a chance, lots of ex championship players from C. Palace and Gomez, ex Swansea I think. Not an intimidating line up at all for a Premier League team. Having seen us lose both openning games in the last 2 seasons I was hoping for us to be competitive rather than get a great result. However, first half I thought we were nervous, moved the ball too slowly, were a bit scared to make more difficult incisive pass and were too narrow. Wigan, however, at no point over ran us, and I was amazed that, as the home team, they never seemed to want to commit many players forward. We dawdled on the ball at the back and were caught out only twice. The penalty was greeted with disbelief in the away crowd and seemed shoulder to shoulder. Have to say di Santos only did what Holt would have done in his situation. The second penalty shout was not given for di Santos throwing himself down theatrically because there was a touch. Second half it seemed only City were trying to win the game. We were a lot better, held our shape better, committed players forward and but for some self inflicted mayhem (barnett and Ruddy), dealt well with Wigan. Again, Moses was the only real threat to our goal. I thought bar the last 10 mins we were going to be the only ones to win the game. Overall, delighted to get opening day out of the way avoiding a heavy defeat. We were competitive which was what I was hoping for. As for Wigan, they were at home, playing a newly promoted team and must have expected a QPR result. If that is all they have got then they will struggle big time this season. They need bodies in to strengthen their side asap. My only caveat is, how good are Wigan really? If they are really rubbish then this performance by City is not so good either? I expect both sides to get better as the season progresses.
Wigan being in the premier league is a waste, its like ordering one of those 6ft long Subway sandwiches to your party when the only other guest is your mum....... They have been in the prem for ages now and still nobody turns up . Stick to Rugby you bland nothing team
They are in the premier league because they deserve it, look at the league tables over the last few years for confirmation of that, I hope our team's deserve to stay in this league come May next year!
I m not doubting that but i will not go out of my way to watch Wigan if they are on TV, they are brand bland in my opinion and don t generate any atmosphere with the few fans they get. JJB Sports got hit pretty hard this week by trainer hungry morons so maybe i should lay off them a bit..
I've seen both penalty shouts, and there is contact on both, so it's unfair to say diver, but not enough for a foul. I should say Wigan looked good value for the 3 points, but we where a long way from our best in the first half...
