I've just watched Bohemian Rhapsody and of course 'We Are The Champions' was one of the tracks that was played. It took me back to 2010-2011 and my visits to Lloyds as it was then. An Omen???????
That's the spirit! I don't think it'll be easy but I do think our play can improve as the new players gain experience. The key for me is to keep this good run going in our next 7 matches so that we go into the second half of the season with confidence. Our latest achievement is that we're currently 5th in the form table for the whole of Europe: http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...e-juventus-psg-man-city-inter-milan-1-5764947
Also see the first comment on today's MFW article re our current form in the Championship - http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...hip-table-while-we-can-and-smile-smile-smile/.
The WhoScored 'team of the week' includes Pukki, Buendia, Aarons and Krul, all of whom scored 8 points or more. Pukki is the only one to make the EFL 'team of the week' though. Neither Buendia or Aarons (or Lewis) were in the team for our first four games of the season and Krul was looking very rusty. What a difference now. Back then Leitner was playing further forward and our good run followed him moving back to the deep playmaker role where he has thrived. Also Zimmerman has taken his chance in the absence of Hanley and he just gets better and better alongside Klose. It's amazing how much quality in depth we now have. The exception is LB and we need to address that in January. DM is another concern, but Hanley returning may allow Godfrey to get some time there, as he did late on Saturday.
Echoes of David Wagner at Huddersfield under Webber's tutelage? Poor / average / anonymous first season, much tweaking in subsequent transfer windows - to personnel and style of play and then...Va Va Voom!! (Not trying to talk anything up, honest - just surprised the analogy has not been made before now)
That was the impression of what SW had in mind when he arrived and he has been at the heart of making it happen. When Huddersfield arrived at CR about this time in their promotion season they took us apart with slick passing, good movement and clinical finishing, just as we have been doing in the last 10 games (Stoke being the exception). The main difference is that we have a productive academy as well. Still a way to go but the possibility is there.
I agree that our play is similar to how the Terriers terrorised us on their way to promotion and IMO the main difference is that our current squad has the depth and so can cope with most injuries - Lewis would be my major worry. As long as we don't lose on Saturday, we should see TC, Hanley and McLean back in full training before our trips to Swansea and Hull..
One of the best articles I’ve seen in recent weeks and definitely worth reading - http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...ef-in-his-preferred-way-now-paying-dividends/
Excellent article JMF, infusing a dose of realism into our present euphoria. "Youngsters are playing regularly and playing at a level way beyond their years on a consistent basis, that, in itself, is something nobody could have foreseen. Young operators usually bring with them inconsistency, but City’s have provided quality, injected the side with dynamism, and all while adding another dimension. Max Aarons was being watched by Farke for six months prior to his inclusion in the senior side; Teemu Pukki, an embodiment of a different way, is a player Stuart Webber willingly took a chance on where others simply let doubt cloud judgement and Emi Buendia was sourced from the second-tier in Spain to add grit and another offensive dimension to City’s play. In adversity, Norwich’s major protagonists have combatted risk by embracing it." Our present situation is full of risks and we need to be aware of that, but as he says overcoming such risks is at the heart of our present success. We were all a bit amazed when Lewis slid seamlessly into the side last season, but that didn't stop us being amazed when Aarons did the same, but this time at the age of 18. Cantwell was slightly more familiar to some of us, so his success was presaged by his successful loan last season. Similarly with Godfrey, who has looked the part at CB whenever he comes on, in spite of most of us expecting him to understudy Tettey. Buendia needed a few games to adjust, but now is an exciting attacking player who turns into a terrier when the ball is lost. All of these have, as Conor says: "injected the side with dynamism, and all the while adding another dimension". Add to that bringing in two natural goalscorers and last year's new recruits looking very much at home now and this year's other new players and things suddenly look very promising indeed. Let's hope that promise continues to be fulfilled for the rest of the season.
A little excerpt from MB's weekly column - 'It got nowhere near this good last season, even in the best of times. It may never get this good again in the current campaign. Which is all the more reason to suck up Saturday and see how far you can push yourself and those players. What has anyone got to lose apart from three points?' Article - https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...es-championship-picture-is-flipping-1-5770353
DF praising the role SW played in persuading Pukki t sign for us in the summer and his importance to the team. https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...nspired-by-sporting-director-webber-1-5771208
Two good articles JMF. MB also focuses on the need to beat teams at the bottom end of the table. Too often we failed to do that last season and Millwall will be the next test. Pukki, Hernandez and Buendia will be critical in finding a way through but the key will lie behind them. As DF says of Leitner: “He seems to have more time on the ball than other players but really that is because his technique is so good. He sees the game better than many other players. He doesn’t have to worry about controlling the ball before the next step. That comes naturally to him. The ball belongs to him.” Leitner is at the heart of our new 'sexy football' with his ability to read the game while instinctively passing the ball to the attacking players and FBs charging forward. Because he does this from a deeper position, he's also able to help Tettey shield the defence if the ball is lost, giving time for the FBs to get back. It's exciting to watch but still allows us to dominate the ball. Turning that into goals against packed defences is the next challenge.
This was a very good article. I saw SW as the guy who made the deals to bring in players DF wants. Between this piece and the one Paddy did today about DF's contract, I have a better understanding and appreciation for SW's role in recruiting. He is more hands on in identifying possible new signings than I realized. This from Paddy's artcle stood out for me. DF: "I can assure you every day I am working with Stuart to discuss things like which player could be a new signing or whatever."
Yes, I read it in the Pinkun. The bit I especially picked out was this: "To be honest I don’t like these headaches,” said Farke. “It is one of the toughest jobs when you work in this business, in terms of man-management. It can cause me physical pain. That is why you sometimes struggle to sleep so well because you are always thinking about this side. The most important thing is you are honest with the player, don’t give him reasons that are not the truth. When you are not happy with their performances, tell him, if there are other things, tell him." I can believe that pain and the sleepless nights and that it's because he's close to the players and honest about it: “Don’t hide away or leave it to your coaching staff. I will do this face-to-face. That is what I am paid for. You also need a group of players who are greedy to be on the pitch and play every minute but if there is a decision that is tough to take you accept it in a way that is not causing problems for the group. It is a big strength of our team and even we are out of the cup competition we can go further on.” That he can keep the current togetherness in spite of that competition for places is the measure of the man. It also shows why there is no room for Oliveira.
If you only read one article today, MAKE SURE it’s this one - http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...sion-the-embodiment-of-norwich-citys-new-dna/ Mick refers to the 3 sublime goals we’ve scored in recent games and in each one, no opposing player touches the ball (other than the desperate lunge by the Millwall defender on Saturday!!)
Really excellent analysis of what our surge to the top is about. The signs were there in the pre-season, but Lewis was injured and Aarons looked to be cover brought in short term. Buendia was late on the scene but Hernandez looked revitalised. The lack of points in the early games distracted some from what was going on but there was real change. Once the early season mistakes faded as they were coached out, suddenly it was plain for all to see. As Mick says, our greatest fears about losing Maddison and Murphy were gradually eased as the surge continued: "Some of the altered emphasis this season is because of changes of personnel. It’s heresy I know, but I think we’re a better team without James Maddison, genius and lovely chap though he is. He came deep to get the ball last term, and then nearly always caressed it a couple of times before spinning around a couple of times too. That’s not how we play now. Our philosophy is different." And suddenly we have two new goal scorers and goals elsewhere as well. The defence is changed as well with Klose back to his best form and Zimmerman a much more composed and skillful CB. The run has lasted because of the coaching behind it. New players have integrated because there is a clear plan and all of the players buy into it. Crucially, as Mick points out, we haven't taken the usual route (often advocated on here) of building a squad for the Championship to get us promoted. The 'sexy football' is also sophisticated football which would fit well in the PL. Just have a look at Fulham and Cardiff to see where the 'usual route' gets you. As Mick puts it: "How do Norwich survive and thrive in the Premier League if and when they get there? The board, Webber and Farke all believe that the new Norwich way is the only way. They believe that by improving every little thing that they can, by producing and, crucially, using good youngsters and by playing a game based on patient, precise and productive possession they will be able to prosper in the Premier."
Great response Rick and with the exception of Saturday, we've conceded no more than one goal per game since Leeds!!!! Due to DF and his staff's coaching, we have continued to win games in spite of the injuries, though if Lewis was injured for any length of time, we may suffer. I'd love to see us sign/loan another keeper. JR on loan???? <donstinhatemoji>
