A sunny Carrow Road held host to the newly promoted Hammers who brought loud travelling support (although a couple of chants I could not work out!).
Norwich started well with Surman starting ahead of an injured Pilkington, having a good, early chance. Snodgrass had a couple of good efforts and there were two good shouts for a penalty for us. The first for me was not but the second was very unlucky for us. West Ham had a couple of good chances early on , with Vaz Te looking lively but the defence stood firm all game. Unlucky not to go in ahead on overall play.
The second half seemed to have less tempo for me. We still created and West Ham endevoured but with no real threat. Indeed they looked very poor in the final third. That said the chances we had also identified us as just as inept in the final third, with Kane's late chance an example of woeful wasting. That combined with decent defending from Collins and Tompkins meant a draw looked the likely outcome. Holt , who was poor, was substituted for Morison with no real impact and Jackson came off for Kane (booed by some , which is a poor state of affairs from Norwich fans! Get over Lambert and support Hughton!). The game petered out with both sides tiring. Result 0-0. Good to see a clean sheet but points dropped for me.
Ratings
Ruddy 7 - solid and made some good saves. Distributed the ball well but not rarely troubled in the 2nd half.
R. Martin 9 - excellent. My MoM
Bassong 8 - solid and marshal's the defence well
Barnett 8 - Bassong helps his game
Garrido 7 - again comfortable on the ball. Good defensively and gets forward
Howson 6 - decent
Johnson 6 - decent
Surman 6 - good first half but less so second half
Snodgrass 7 - always gives an option. Good first half but slightly less so 2nd
Jackson 7 - always tries and has pace. Lacking a bit of quality for me at times but gives 100%
Holt 5 - Poor sums up his game. Worrying, especially after all his antics pre season. Should we have sold?
Morison 6 - had a couple of efforts but offered little for me
Kane 5 - missed a sitter to win at the end. Supposed to be a natural finisher!! In fairness , his first game and did get a couple of chances
Hughton 6 - substitutions and tried to change it but got them slightly wrong for me. I would have taken Holt off and put on Morison with Jackson, possibly Kane for the last 5 for Jackson. I tend to think taking Surman off and playing Wes may have made the difference, going to a diamond with Snodgrass on the left, Howson on the right and Johnson at the base.
Overall, points dropped for me due to woeful finishing and Holt's game are disappointing. Positives are we are very solid defensivley, creating chances and now 3 unbeaten. All games in this league are difficult but I think we can get something from Newcastle or Liverpool. If we are up for it Chelsea also.
OTBC!
Norwich started well with Surman starting ahead of an injured Pilkington, having a good, early chance. Snodgrass had a couple of good efforts and there were two good shouts for a penalty for us. The first for me was not but the second was very unlucky for us. West Ham had a couple of good chances early on , with Vaz Te looking lively but the defence stood firm all game. Unlucky not to go in ahead on overall play.
The second half seemed to have less tempo for me. We still created and West Ham endevoured but with no real threat. Indeed they looked very poor in the final third. That said the chances we had also identified us as just as inept in the final third, with Kane's late chance an example of woeful wasting. That combined with decent defending from Collins and Tompkins meant a draw looked the likely outcome. Holt , who was poor, was substituted for Morison with no real impact and Jackson came off for Kane (booed by some , which is a poor state of affairs from Norwich fans! Get over Lambert and support Hughton!). The game petered out with both sides tiring. Result 0-0. Good to see a clean sheet but points dropped for me.
Ratings
Ruddy 7 - solid and made some good saves. Distributed the ball well but not rarely troubled in the 2nd half.
R. Martin 9 - excellent. My MoM
Bassong 8 - solid and marshal's the defence well
Barnett 8 - Bassong helps his game
Garrido 7 - again comfortable on the ball. Good defensively and gets forward
Howson 6 - decent
Johnson 6 - decent
Surman 6 - good first half but less so second half
Snodgrass 7 - always gives an option. Good first half but slightly less so 2nd
Jackson 7 - always tries and has pace. Lacking a bit of quality for me at times but gives 100%
Holt 5 - Poor sums up his game. Worrying, especially after all his antics pre season. Should we have sold?
Morison 6 - had a couple of efforts but offered little for me
Kane 5 - missed a sitter to win at the end. Supposed to be a natural finisher!! In fairness , his first game and did get a couple of chances
Hughton 6 - substitutions and tried to change it but got them slightly wrong for me. I would have taken Holt off and put on Morison with Jackson, possibly Kane for the last 5 for Jackson. I tend to think taking Surman off and playing Wes may have made the difference, going to a diamond with Snodgrass on the left, Howson on the right and Johnson at the base.
Overall, points dropped for me due to woeful finishing and Holt's game are disappointing. Positives are we are very solid defensivley, creating chances and now 3 unbeaten. All games in this league are difficult but I think we can get something from Newcastle or Liverpool. If we are up for it Chelsea also.
OTBC!
