I think i've solved hughtons formation for next year, after taking inspiration from spain winning the euro's he has taken it one step further and we will play the 3-7-0 formation This is what i expect us to line up with R Martin, R Bennett, Ayala E Bennett, Howson, Butterfield, Hoolahan, Fox, Surman, Pilkington With some of the slots interchangeable depending on arrivals and opponent. In all seriousness we have got some quality midfield options next season which can only be a good thing as long as he can keep them all happy!!
I know you're joking, but... I actually think that team is pretty good. I'd substitute Tierney in though to take the role of a ranging full-back-0 kind of like Dani Alves for Barca. Seriously though, if that's the way football is going nowadays, I don't think our team is too bad for it
I think this needs thinking through in a bit more detail. So: John Ruddy for Iker Casillas Dani Ayala for Sergio Ramos Ryan Bennett for Gerard Pique Mark Tierney for Jordi Alba Russ Martin for Alvaro Arbeloa Johnny Howson for Sergio Busquets David Fox for Xabi Alonso Wes Hoolahan for Andres Iniesta Jacob Butterfield for Xavi Hernandes Anthony Pilkington for Cesc Fabregas Elliott Bennett for David Silva I only hope they've spent the whole of pre-season practising triangles and sharp one touch passing!
Billy's (tongue-in-cheek) suggestion in the OP is that we could maybe out-Swansea Swansea, and actually become Barcarrowlona. This is something that would leave carrabuh speechless with delight if we could pull it off. On that count alone I think the idea is worth pursuing, but nobody else has taken it seriously I'm afraid. Shame on all you less imaginative Canaries. Wink, wink,
Team and formation come Fulham if Turner signs and barring injuries... _____________________Ruddy____________________ _________Whittaker Turner R.Bennett Tierney_________ __________________Howson Fox___________________ __________Snodgrass Hoolahan Pilkington____________ _____________________Holt______________________ Sexy Football
I notice that the players interviewed have been saying how much pre-season has focused on possession football under CH and Co. I think this is an indicator. Against Celtic, the passing was very sharp as the ball was worked forward with far fewer punts upfield than happened under Lambert. This produced flowing football that was lovely to watch and created real problems for the Celtic defence. Though 4-4-2 may be played at home on some occasions, I suspect that we will see 4-2-3-1 more often. City have the players to make that work, IMO, dropping back to 4-5-1 when defending and then attacking with a lead striker and two flanking attackers from the likes of Pilks, Surman to choose from on the left and Snodgrass, E.Bennett on the right with Hoolahan or Butterfield pulling strings in the hole behind Holt, Morison or Vaughan. Howson, Fox, Johnson and Crofts (or a new DMF) can follow up and hold the central midfield with full-backs operating more like wing-backs with keeping possession the key. This could be very effective indeed.
the biggest difference was the use of width. at times we really stretched the play across the pitch and as you say, the passing was short, crisp and incisive. very pleasing on the eye but i fear we may struggle to play that way against the better teams. no offence to celtic but they weren't that good, more like a qpr or stoke. we'll need to maintain some of the lambert philosophy to stay successful, such as adjusting to a more direct system if need be. i'm sure this will be the case - birmingham were able to do this and we have the players here capable of doing that
Looks good but not the fastest of teams though, I'd like to see Holt and Vaughan start upfront together, I like to see a bit of pace to get in behind the defenses.
But to be honest we arent exactly blessed with pace anyway. We do have few players, but there isnt that much difference between them. Eventually i would proberbly expect to see butterfield in the hoolahan role, and i would say maybe a DM to play next to howson in front of the back 4 then that would give licence for howson to go forward a little more! With the players Hughton has brought in i think a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-1-1 is a most likely but obviously we will resort to other strikers and play 4-4-2 or even a 4-3-3- at some point! Its great to have so many possible formations etc, and blessed with so much potential and talent.
Don't know about anyone else, but I'm seriously chuffed and excited at the prospect of watching this team. Also at the prospect of seeing the doom-mongers and SSS ignoramuses eating their words and choking on humble pie. OTBC
I think that this is the strongest squad City have had for years, and I don't envy CH having to choose a team every week. The competition at every position is intense and will have an effect on the performances of every player. With Vaughan back and the new players, this is a much stronger squad than last year already and there may yet be others coming in. Well done Mr Hughton. OTBC!
the key is, we have options. We haven't brought the type of players that are going to sulk. If they did sulk, we've got backup for that as well. This is the strongest midfield I think i've ever seen in my time as a Norwich fan, it's got everything. I'm extremely happy. I'd be tempted now to get a striker in and then we're ready to go.
