A couple of points from the founder member of the ' glass half empty' party. Despite our long unbeaten run we are still only 4 points from safety. Sunderland is possibly a ' must win ' game and certainly a ' mustn't lose ' game. If we lose Sunderland will go above us as will any winner of the Newcastle v Wigan game on Monday. QPR v Villa could result in either Villa going above us or QPR being given a revitalised hope of survival. We need a City win and 2 draws in the other games. We have been defensively sound lately because of Tettey and Johnson playing in front of the back 4 in a 4-4-1-1 formation. CH is not going to lose that solidity by changing to a 4-4-2 which is what we would have to do to accommodate a new striker. So what are people suggesting? Go to 4-4-2 and drop Hoolahan and the defensive solidity? Stay with 4-4-1-1 and replace Holt? With Morison and Jackson already there and Kane to come back I really cannot see the need for a new striker especially as the majority of goals have to come from elsewhere if you just play one up top. You have to remember some of the results earlier in the season when we played 4-4-2.
Agreed we must not change the formation. But we do need the wide players to hold the ball up a bit and get into a position where others can support. Last night the crossing was dreadful. One because it was so inaccurate but secondly because there was only Holt in the box. Snodgers did get in once or twice but too late. There is nothing wrong with the wide men taking their time and waiting for the full backs to come up and support them. But many times last night, Pilks and Snodgers played the ball back so far that Whittaker and Garrido were crossing it in from way too far out. Sunderland appear to be there for the taking at the moment. Surely the fact we are playing at home with the crowd support should give us the impetus to push on with a wee bit more of risk taking. Tettey did drive on tremendously last night and IMO just shaved MOTM from Bassong. If CH will allow him to push on a bit more on Sunday, I'm convinced he will get on the scoresheet.
stay 4-4-1-1 for me - it's the correct formation we just need the wide men to put better balls in the box. give Eliot bennett a start although holt is a hero, i'm not convinced he's going to score enough goals for us this season. we need someone else with a bit more pace. When Kane comes back, try him out, if he's not the answer then we do need a new striker in Jan. Morrison and Jackson are not good enough imo.
i don't remember ever seeing such a chronic dead ball ineptitude from us as in the last two games. crossing from open play was only marginally better.
I have to say that when you bought Snoddy I was very interested to see how he gets on in the Prem. Leeds fans thought the sun shined out of his backside whilst he was there but I have always thought he'd be found out a little in the Prem. The type of player who will have his good days but his bad days also and lacks any consistency to be considered a 'good premier league player' and not enough quality to make good the chances he'll have. I always thought his inability (or reluctance) to use his right foot would hold him back.There's no doubting he's good a sweet left foot and is a decent player for the level you guys are at but I know some of you have been mentioning 'the next step' and I wouldn't necessarily consider Pilks AND Snoddy being up to that level. That said he is still finding his feet and will clearly put in some good performances... so only time will tell, but I would also consider Bennett deserving more of a chance, whenever I've seen him he's looked a threat with his pace and direct running
I personally think that Pilkington has the ability to go to the next level (even though he was bad last night) and to be honest I thought Snodgrass would be doing better than he actually is. Still, its relatively early in the season and they have time to make positive impacts.
My thoughts exactly and look forward to him either starting a game or coming on with at least 30 mins to go.
To be honest I'm not really a fan of Pilkington or Bennet, at least Snodgrass can beat a player on his own. The trouble with both Pilkington and Snodgrass is there mobility, its very British, direct and straight lines. Its all straight line speed and running into open space, they don't do jinking runs. I've said it before, there is a cross on sight policy running through that team which is hideous to watch at the moment.
My problem with Snodgrass is he gets found out too early in the game, the only time he can cut inside with success if from deep. I think Bennett is the best winger we have, can put a good ball in, can beat a player I think suits are style of play better and will make us even stronger defensively and probably the most consistent. We need to take more time on the wings, be more patient to put the ball in. We rush too much and ends up being a poor cross, I do think we look wide to often though, not enough good crosses in this season to focus our play out wide, especially with the form Wes has been on recently. Saying that, it might be harsh to leave Wes out, but I would think about putting Howson and Fox in for Johnson and Wes next game. Give us more attacking potential, as well as Howson being able to look after Fox a bit if we end up soaking pressure.
I dont think surman can cut it at this level. No pace, no strength, cant tackle. Yeah he is technically gifted but we can afford to carry players.
He's probably one of the most intelligent players we have behind Wes. He can't fit into current system, true but he can definitely cut it at this level.
Don't really get Bennett, rarely contributes substance, don't recall seeing him change a game when he's come on through his general play. I've certainly never come away from a game thinking he's had a blinder. I find him to be quite a bland and forgettable player
I agree, when he runs with the ball his touch is fantastic, the ball is glued to his feet. None of this heavy touch played into space and run after it.
I am not a big fan of Pilkington. He is not an awful player and indeed in games can have a blinding 15 minutes but then goes anonymous He has average pace and does not take on the full back enough for me. Delivery is patchy also. Snodgrass is a decent player on the ball but very left footed. Would like to see him on the left during a game. Delivery is good. Bennet has pace but lacking in quality with the final product. Thsi makes it difficult for Holt in the formation we play as the idea is to break the play and deliver on the counter, where we lack quality delivery quite often. It is almost like we need an amalgamation of all three players in one! At the moment I would keep it as it is to start but swap Snody and Piks from time to time and then bring Bennett on for a good 20- 30 minutes instead of Pilks. I can also see logic at exploring a new signing in this area alongside another striker.
I categorically disagree with this. Bennett was quiet but reliable for the first c.30 games of last season as he seemed to be finding his feet, but after that I thought he was brilliant. He virtually single-handedly beat Tottenham last season and was magnificent when in that free role behind the striker. He also has a better understanding with Holt than either Snodgrass or Pilkington- looks more like Hoolahan. He happens to be our fastest player too, quicker than Jackson which makes him always a threat. Also, part of the reason he was quiet last season was that he had to work incredibly hard in defence. Finally, I remember someone saying after he scored that screamer against Tottenham that he does it all the time in training, but just doesn't seem to have enough confidence on the pitch- apparently Holt is always begging him to shoot. I wonder whether Bennett suffers with low confidence. Admittedly, he's not as skilful as Snodgrass and not as strong on the ball as he should be, but I think he can be a very potent weapon and can see him linking well with Whittaker giving him a bit more freedom.
Well, he's never really cemented himself in the team for any period of time and he's had many chances to show consistency. If he really was "brilliant" I doubt he'd of been in and out of the team (mostly out). Brilliant players are in short supply at Carrow Rd. I don't think he'll be around next year and will be one of the ones Hughton will want out.
IMO, neither Pilks or Snoddy are really wingers in the traditional sense (theirs is more the Huckerby style cutting-in approach). Bennett is more of a winger. I also think that Whittaker hasn't really found his role coming forward and overlapping in the way that Russell Martin can. This may come in time and I think there will be more improvement as new players settle in more and more. Another thing is that City have played 8 away games and only 6 at home, so our impressions may be influenced by the more conservative approach used in away games.
Perhaps you didn't see some of his passes when we were at the Liberty last season??? He set up the 2nd and 3rd goals and he had another devastating pass which reulted in a tremendous save from Vrom. He hasn't been brilliant apart from that, but I'd like to see him get more than a few minutes at the end of a game - probably wouldn't have him in the starting 11 though.
