Hard not to feel that, Rob. On the line-up, personally I'm a bit disappointed, but let's see how it goes.
I find it strange that Farke would have voluntarily said that he was back in training if there was an issue and he intended to leave him out. Perhaps he’s not fully fit after a couple of weeks away.
Did anyone really expect Cantwell to feature today, even if fit? Too much of a prima donna, which is the last thing needed right now.
I think the "back 9" having a chance to gel and build familiarity is fair enough, especially when many were away on international duty. I'm disappointed that the fairly ineffectual Pukki-Sargent combo continues. If we're not prepared to start even one of Tzolis, Rashica, Cantwell, Dowell, etc against Brighton at home, when are we going to start them? Brighton are lining up in essentially the same system as us, but have Trossard (normally a winger) as the second forward, to offer creativity. There's not a single player in that side who I think is capable of trying 4-5 through balls per game for Pukki to run onto, so he's going to be feeding on scraps. Really the only dependable delivery into the box is going to come from the wing backs. If we're relying on wing play, why not play Idah over Pukki? Across all competitions since the summer, Pukki averages 1 headed shot every 10 games. Idah's game is much better suited to getting on the end of crosses.
This has worked well the last two games if anyone needs it. https://www.viprow.me/norwich-city-fc-vs-brighton-and-hove-albion-online-stream-1
Did not expect him to start and would not be surprised to see him move on during the next window. He is not the type of player that I can see battling adversity and I wish him well at Liverpool ( or Villa)
Agreed. But I did think he might be on the bench given the comments this week. No word on what these personal issues are.
Clear dive. There was a feather of contact but it makes no difference because he then clearly takes a step and falls over his own foot (ie throws himself). Should be a yellow card.
If the football authorities really wanted to make VAR more popular, one thing they could do is start to deal with diving. They won't, because the people in charge of football couldn't give a damn about the fans and what we think about VAR.
Clear example of the problems with our attacking play there. Lees-Melou picks up the ball fortuitiously, and has Pukki and Sargent ahead with a 2v2. Hopeful lob forwards rather than anything smart from Lees-Melou, that fortunately ends up with Pukki, who runs into the right side of the box. Looks to cross or pull back, and there's only Sargent up with him, with the nearest other player Aarons a good 20 yards directly behind Pukki. Lees-Melou couldn't play the right pass, Sargent's run was easily covered because there was nobody else for the defenders to think about, Pukki couldn't make an opening for himself. If any of those three players had more creativity, or there was a third player making an effort to get to the box, there was a decent opening there. Meanwhile 5 Normann corners, with 7 players to aim at, have failed to create anything.
