Following an encouraging 9 match unbeaten run, it's two losses in a row for Norwich ahead of three important matches against top / top-form teams. If we're going to make an impact on the league again this season, results in these 3 games (Luton, Sheff Utd, Burnley) over the next 8 days will play a big part. Luton at Carrow Road next up. Their current run of form is unbeaten in 6 including a win on Saturday that put the brakes on QPR’s charge up the table. Their losses this season so far to Wigan, Bristol and Preston. Lots of questions ahead of Dean Smith's press conference re: line up. Great to see Hayden get a run out on the weekend. I'm looking forward to finding out if his inclusion is at the expense of Gibbs or is there an option to play both? Here's hoping for a result under the lights. OTBC!
Hopefully Omobamidele is fit, not expecting Hayden to start as Smith said he was only meant to get 10-15 mins last game. I think they'll want to manage him. I think I'd like to see Pukki rested for this one and coming on from the bench. Sargent down the middle and add a more creative player to the midfield. 4-3-1-2, 4-3-3, whatever we're meant to be playing, leaves Sargent in wider areas for too much of the time.
Key squad news Andrew Omobamidele (ankle) ruled out but Dean Smith unable to offer any timeline at this stage. Departed in the closing stages of Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Watford after appearing to roll his left ankle. Isaac Hayden (knee) not yet ready to start games, Smith revealed, but has suffered no adverse reaction to his competitive debut at Watford. Dimi Giannoulis (ankle ligaments) has re-joined training. Could even be in contention for the Luton squad. Injured in the opening Championship home draw against Wigan.
please log in to view this image I think this passing/positional map from the first half of the Watford game nicely demonstrates the problem Smith needs to solve. Our only significant route to progressing the ball upfield is GK to CB to full back. Then forward to an isolated wide player and the ball is lost from there. Pukki, Gibbs, McLean might as well have not been on the pitch when we had the ball. The tactic just feel muddled. If the aim is to provide Pukki the service he thrives off, then we need more creative players behind him capable of playing through balls for him. Dowell, maybe Nunez are capable of that, but few others. If the aim is for Pukki to play off the shoulder of Sargent, then they need to be closer together. Those average positions have them in different postcodes. If we want to rely on crosses and cutbacks, which suit Sargent well and Pukki sufficiently, then we need players who can cross or get to the byline and pass. Sargent has scored 8 goals this season faster than any NCFC player in at least 15 years, and he's still being used in an ineffectual wide role, in a way that doesn't compliment Pukki. It doesn't make sense.
I've said this before: I would like to see Sarge up top and Pukki on the left wing. Josh tries hard to get Pukki the ball anyway and he's a good hold-up man, so can bring others into play.
Might we see Dimi straight back in to LB? Surely he's not going to be fully match fit but makes sense to stick a round peg in a round hole for a change.
Another thing shown by the map is how unbalanced our play is with Dowell pushed out to the right and Núñez more central and Sargent wide left. The result is that we move the ball so slowly while the opposing defence gets settled to repel our attempts to walk the ball into a crowded penalty area. Two shots on target from 11 chances says it all really.
Smith has had a year in the job now he should know his best 11 and formation by now . With the quality we have in our side he would probably be better off picking 11 and asking them where they are most comfortable on the pitch . They all seem to be playing out of position apart from Hanley and Gunn
WhoScored's expected lineups: Carlton Morris is looking like one that got away while we have Hugill warming the bench.
Hope that's not going to be the actual starting line-up!! Was hoping Byram at RB, MC lean at LB Gibbs sitting in-front, with 3 of Sara, Dowell & Nunez with Ramsey floating alongside Sargent
What do we make of that then, 4-2-3-1? Gunn Aarons Hanley Gibson McLean Sara Gibbs Sargent Dowell Ramsey Pukki
