Going home later today after an extended Xmas/New Year break in the UK. I came over in time for the match at Brentford, was in Norwich for the Cup game and by sheer fluke was in the Birmingham area at the weekend and able to go to the West Brom game. I have to ignore the Cup game - it was a one off under very difficult circumstances but if I had posted after the Brentford game it would have been quite scathing. As I have mentioned before the only live games I see are the away games in London so I hadn't seen the team live since Sept when we beat QPR 1-0. On that day I could see considerable improvement from last season and was quite optimistic about the rest of the season. Against Brentford I thought we had gone back to last seasons form and were lucky to get a point. The defence were all over the place at times, the front men were isolated and the midfield lacked creativity and looked toothless after Tettey went off. Fortunately I didn't post at that time as I would have predicted that we would be lucky to stay in the top 6. West Brom - what a difference. The opposition were far better than Brentford yet we always managed to hold our own. Yes, we were lucky to survive a few scares but that will always happen when you are away to a top 6 team especially ones with the players West Brom have but the defence always looked solid even when put under severe pressure, the front men looked sharp and the midfield did everything required of them. My prediction now, for what is worth, is that I would be surprised and very disappointed if we don't end up in the top 6. Automatic promotion? Very difficult bearing in mind the Clubs in front and just behind us. Our next 6 matches will be crucial with 3 against sides fighting for promotion and 3 against teams at the other end of the table. IMO we need to get at least 14 points from those games to stand a chance of top 2. 9 points or more will keep us on track for top 6. I will be over again for the Millwall game in March and, to be honest, after the West Brom performance I am looking forward to it already.
Great article by Ian Clarke - https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...&utm_source=eshot&utm_campaign=newsletterlink
From today’s MFW - The ol’ girl is already vibrant – now time for Y’Army to crank it up another notch!! I said this myself, but few believed me (referring to our defeat by Leeds) - 'What followed that chastening afternoon has been nothing short of incredible, although looking back the signs were there even in those opening five games.'
Great article on Aarrons and Lewis - https://www.skysports.com/football/...-aarons-norwich-citys-flying-young-full-backs I wonder how long before they move on?!
Anyone remember this thread – https://www.not606.com/threads/fixtures-2018-19.363567/ and post #4 was REALLY good.
I never really rated Wes - he had an occasional moment of brilliance, but gave the ball away too often. <donstinhatemoji>
It's amazing how many great creative players we now have after feeling bereft when Madders left (Buendia, Hernandez, Stiepermann, Vrancic, McLean, Leitner) and all of them can play in at least 3 positions as well. That creates flexibility and movement up front that must be a nightmare to defend against. Add to that a creative striker (17 goals and 4 assists), who can also play in 3 different positions and two flying WB/FBs who create overloads and you see how we've answered the 'where will the goals come from?' question.
On another note, Martin Penny is under no doubt about what the second half against Brum represented: http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...-second-was-game-management-at-its-very-best/ His added comment about how we might fare if we make it to the PL is also apt: "I’m really going to stick my neck out and repeat my November view that this squad, as it stands, could cut it in the Prem. Not against Man Citeh or the Scousers – both are excellent sides and a million miles away from us – but we should be able to have a tilt at the rest." I agree.
This one courtesy of JM Fan (can't post just now) - good article from Jack Reeve: https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...ich-city-column-heroes-step-forward-1-5859906
The great thing about this team is that we have a lot of heroes. Too may to name. Any one of them is capable of stepping up and putting in a match winning performance.
Very interesting article from the BBC website re German coaches - But, speaking on BBC Radio 5 live on Monday, German football expert Honigstein said while he didn't think Siewert's appointment was "the most innovative or ingenious" choice, there could be a major reason for it. "What German coaches on the whole bring is two things that are very appealing to Huddersfield and other English clubs," he said. "They are very used to working in a structure where they are not going to come in and say 'I need six or seven players, I need three transfer windows to make this my team'. And how many transfer windows has DF had????? "They are used to coaching, they want to have an input when it comes to the squad but their main job is getting the most out of the players that they have. "If you own a club like Huddersfield that doesn't have the deepest pockets, that is much more attractive than a guy who is going to say to you 'here is my list, please buy them in the next couple of years'." https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46959225
Very good interview with Tim Krul. Well-spoken with a good head on his shoulders. https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...ishing-championship-promotion-scrap-1-5863819
Yes, good article. I particularly liked this from Tim: "They are doing something great here and to be part of that is exciting. The manager has his philosophy and I like that mentality the Germans have. You have to work and graft and you then see the results on the pitch. We have had some amazing turnarounds in games this season and although the manager is the first to say that is down to the players, no, it is the staff off the pitch.” The key is that flair and 'sexy football' comes after hard graft, not before or instead of. The tactics succeed because they have been drilled in on the training pitch and thus comes naturally during games. This showed when Krul had to change to kicking the ball out against West Brom - it was against the embedded 'play it out' plan and he struggled. My bet is that he's been working on that all this week at Colney!
So here we have the remaining fixtures for each of the teams in the top 6 as you can see, we only have Leeds and Boro left to play, whereas the others have a tougher run-in, when at least one team will drop points. I’m hoping we can get at least a point again next Saturday and we really need to get back to winning ways when 1p5wich visit and IMO, we really miss Leitner in midfield.
Bristol will play a big part before the end, not just as they're threatening to gate crash the playoffs but they play everyone in the top 6 in the next 17/18 games Bah!
