de·fend (d-fnd) v. de·fend·ed, de·fend·ing, de·fends v.tr. 1. To make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm. 2. Sports a. To attempt to prevent the opposition from scoring while playing in or near (a goal or area of a field, for example). b. To be responsible for guarding (an opposing player). c. To compete against a challenger in an attempt to retain (a championship). Could really help some of the players. We're just a shambles back there. As positive as we are, and we look ok going forward. Every team in the Prem will score at least twice against us if we don't sort this out.
It's hard against these players. There have been silly mistakes but that's what separates us from Champions of Europe.
Other than the 3rd goal I think you are being a little harsh on the team today. I know they are not great defensively but they were not that bad either considering who they were up against. A similar performance against Arsenal and 1 point as a minimum could be on the cards
Agree, Thai. I watched Sunderland at Man City earlier, and I thought we offered much more than they did against what is stronger opposition at the moment. Apparently people on Canary Call are shouting for Hughton's head. Idiots.
Yup, listening to canary call too - some very odd people calling again How can losing 4-1 away at Chelsea be considered to be some kind of disaster? Sheesh! We saw some good stuff by Norwich again today and there is still room for optimism as far as I am concerned.
I dont think any one expected anything different from todays result, for me a major plus was Holts goal, it was just the sort of chance he's been missing up to now, seems like the goal against Liverpool has maybe got him up and running. If the midfield can now be adjusted to really help the defence we just might start climbing the league. If im honest i dont think we'll get anything v Arsenal, but to get the first win against Lamberts Villa would be priceless !
Unbelievably a Canary Caller said we were a shambles against an average Chelsea side - FFS we were nowhere near a shambles and came up against a fantastic side boasting a midfield worth well over 100 million. We'll never compete against the likes of Chelsea, Man City etc. but I saw enough today to think we'll be OK, I just hope Houghton keeps picking this type of line-up instead of going too defensive. Don't get me started on Rob Butler, he said Barnet was awful, he must've watched a different game to me!!!
I think its naive to seek too much comfort from a 4-1 defeat. We have to admit it doesn't look good does it? Changes were made to the team to prevent the opposition scoring but it didn't work. Of course it was Chelsea and I doubt many expected a result. But lets not accept losing 4-1 as anything other than a hiding. Whilst we argued we were unlucky in our second third and fourth games, we have been hammered in the last two. There were pluses of course there were. Holt scoring a very tasty goal was welcome and we did have other chances, hopefully enough of a showing to make us think we can beat the clubs near the bottom. But the truth is we haven't beaten anyone from our division yet. I for one aren't too bothered. What ever happens to us playing wise for the rest of the season I will know wee start the nest one debt free and with a young squad who should, without putting too much expectation on their shoulders, be good enough to do well in a lower division.
I'd worry more about your own ****ing team than ours - you've as much chance of finishing in a Champions League spot in the next ten years, as us.
Yep, they way Chelsea played, I don't think many teams could have avoided defeat. They are Champions elect at the moment! And to be honest, we had other chances to score as well, I don't think we were as bad as the scoreline suggests.
Look for gods sake we will come somewhere between 13th and 17 th we will survive but even me of super rose coloured specs does not really expect to get points from the top 8 sides We will struggle to survive this year and guess what if we do we will struggle again next year we are in the Premier League!
Agree that Barnett didn't deserve that, but he was at fault for the first goal. He didn't attack the cross, just waited for it to come to him and Torres had the easiest job in the world to get his header is. My own feeling is that Ryan Bennett should now be given a chance alongside Bassong. We all know that, wholehearted as he is, Barnie has his limitations.
Too soon to panic guys. There were enough positives for me in Holt's goal, Bassong and Pilks coming back from injury and Tettey's performance in mid-field. No it's not completely clicking yet, but this squad definitely has enough application and skill to survive once it does. OTBC!
Agree with RER, Hughton is still learning about the squad, and we've brought in a lot of signings who need to get used to playing together. It'll come in time. Soon it'll all click and we'll batter someone - fingers crossed it's Villa!
I can't agree about the needing to get used to each other reason. Other clubs have brought in new players and are doing OK particularly our opponents. I will say its not the managers fault when players make fundamental errors. And once again, Barnett was lucky not to get a penalty awarded against them.
Agree about Tettey. Obviously still short of competitive playing time and not yet fully up to speed (as witness his attempted header to a ball asking to be volleyed a la Ivanovich), but definite promise there. There's been a lot of talk on here about formations: can anyone tell me what formation we played yesterday (apart from "one up front")?
