Given a little time to settle after the game, I’m of the opinion that Buendia and Leitner offer a little more defensively than Vrancik and Cantwell/Hernandez. Also Zimmerman/Klose are not the quickest. Perhaps Hanley or Godfrey have the pace or acceleration to better deal with quicker strikers. So the injuries have an impact on the defensive qualities in midfield, plus compromised our defensive options. Of course, this is no excuse for sloppy defending at set pieces, or floodlight failures giving Derby the option to reorganize. Regardless, our football is superb at times, exciting for the full 95 minutes, and one of the most enjoyable seasons in my lifetime (half-time though it is).
I was pretty angry as I left CR last night, but we just have to ensure we get back to winning ways ASAP. Yes, we were always going to lose at some point, but the way we failed to defend the two corners was shambolic and whilst we played some scintillating football until they got their first goal, we seemed to go to pieces after that. Given that FLDC have more loan players than almost any other Championship club, it was always going to be a tough ask I’m hoping that we might see GH starting on Tuesday and 3 points would be very welcome.
I think that’s spot on for me. Realistically, a defeat was always highly likely to happen. Fortunately for us, it has not cost us too much. I also think it’s important for us to be grounded - our defence has looked shaky at times and this underlined it is a work in progress. It’s easy to forget that while the initial aim is to get promoted, the secondary aim is to stay up. If we defend like this in the premier league we will be pumped week in, week out, and it will be much harder to score. So it’s an important lesson at a time in the season when it hasn’t cost us too dear. Let’s hope it’s well learned.
From Michael Bailey's six things learned - 'I got some stick for my tweet as City went 2-0 up, that all I wanted until the break was a clean sheet. It wasn’t tempting fate; just a hope.' Whether it’s a lesson from last season or just a change in approach, there has been a recurring theme with Daniel Farke this season – to make as few team changes as possible. It hit its peak on Saturday with Ben Godfrey’s arrival as a left-back – I’d argue effectively to make one team change in place of the injured Jamal Lewis, rather than switching Max Aarons from his right-back berth and being forced into two. That decision was part of Saturday’s make-up but ultimately caused no profound, decisive issue – and that is a huge compliment to Godfrey. https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...eat-including-lampard-fuses-changes-1-5834915 Edit- and this from today’s MFW article - http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...s-in-abundance-from-farkes-men/#comment-32582
Have t agree with much that Martin says but particularly this bit: "I remember writing on MFW quite a while ago now that season 2019-2020 would define Webber/Farke and their sterling efforts on our behalf. And that is why I’m not expecting promotion this time around, although if we don’t get a tilt at the playoffs, I will be more than a little disappointed, as will we all. We won’t be getting automatic I’m afraid. Again, purely my view, mainly from the experience of reading “between the lines” for so many, many seasons. But when we consider Saturday’s Leeds and WBA results, anything is still possible." In the wake of 1 point from the last two home games, reality has certainly checked in a big way for me. Forest and Derby are good sides, but our defending in those games dropped a long way. As Rob says above, if we were promoted and played like that, we'd be well and truly punished week after week. We have a great attack now, but unless we sort out the defending soon, we're going to suffer further losses. Next week we go to West Brom for a vital six pointer and if we blow that we'll be struggling to hold on to a play-off place.
Have to agree Rick. We’ve got the makings of real quality, but we’re a little way off. Both West Brom and Leeds seem to be more complete teams as a whole, certainly for the moment.
#aintthatthetruth A lot will depend on whether or not the likes of Lewis and Bendy are fit for that game and I guess all we can do is hope that they are. Also, it would be fantastic if Rodriguez red card doesn’t get overturned and am I right in thinking that Gayle is injured??
Rodriguez red card was rescinded today. Rightfully from what I've read. Gayle has a slight hamstring problem, probably out for two weeks. Ahmed Hegazi also out for maybe a week or two. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sp...news/west-brom-injury-news-blackburn-14254394
