Especially considering how crap Newcastle were last season, hopefully those days are behind us. We just need an AM really, that should be our priority over signing Quags.
I was at the Swansea away game and especially first half I can't remember ever seeing us play better. Hughton was deffinatly getting a lot of songs from the crowd. Got a touch tense later on but still, that was a fantastic performance, we mustn't forget the highs we were capable of last season. It's sounded as thou against both Braga and RS we were very good in the first half, I find this very encouraging. The team in the first half will have been set up appropriately with direct instructions for each player role and we executed it well, when the subs start rolling in these pre-season games it disrupts the rhythm heavily especially if both sides are doing it, I wanted both the games against MLS teams and that tended to happen in those too, when we get a team where at least 8 of them are going to play 90+ minutes then we should see some consistency. At times last season we were very good, we have better players this season in some key roles but still have maintained a similar looking team. I'm really looking forward to this season think it could be the best in years both for us and as a whole.
Afternoon everyone, haven't been posting much on here recently as I've been so busy with work etc. After choking on my beer and swearing at the telly when I heard Jamie Redknapp say we'd struggle and be relegated without backing up his comments with any reason whatsoever, I've just found this: http://www.soccernews.com/norwich-will-not-get-relegated-this-season/125233/ I think this guy talks a bit more sense and hopefully his prediction will be correct
my god, i'd forgotten about that sunderland 0-3 away game... yeah that was shocking too. just goes to show, no matter what season you choose you'll find poor performances. we were, overall, very entertaining in our first season back in the premier league yet we still managed to perform abysmally a number of times. there were maybe a few more last season but in context we were in a far more competitive and congested league and batting above our average, trying to keep our heads above water. the reason we played so poorly 2nd half of the season was because confidence was on the floor and we struggled to pick it up again after christmas. as i say, you can't just switch confidence or form on and off. pre-christmas, even despite no wins from the opening 7 games, we actually played some good football and won some very important games. even when we were promoted, we were dreadful against palace, doncaster, hull, orient in the cup just to name a handful that i can think of. we'll probably be a bit inconsistent again this season but northants mentioned the biggest thing that needs to improve - being more ruthless against weaker opposition.
IMO we have had a reasonable pre-season. We have played well in patches of most of the games and played against opposition in the States in the middle of their season and two very decent sides from the Iberian peninsula. We also must bear in mind that at no time have we had our player of the season available or his first choice CB partner and BJ (one of our other star turns from last season) is also coming back from injury. Our new players seem to have hit the ground running - I haven't seen anyone at all criticise our summer signings and it would appear that we have replaced a fair proportion of last seasons squad with markedly better players. We have to accept that following such a radical overhaul it will take time for the team to gel but these are seriously good players and it is likely that they will sort their teething issues out pretty smartish. The board have gone on record to say we are not finished in the market yet so we could still see a ball-playing CB or a quality AM if suitable candidates become available and are keen to join us. I see no merit in signing anyone who is not an improvement on what we have. I am happy to have Howson and Wes as AM options (I remain convinced that Howson will develop into a top player) or see us use Hooper and RvW rotating the no.10 role. Looked at rationally our squad is vastly superior to last season and only going to improve over time so I see no reason for anything but optimism.
Afternoon all Been away on hols for 2 weeks so missed most of the pre-season, results seemed to be mixed but i guess that's not the point plus both hooper and Rvw have scored Fer also seems to be a quality buy. We just need seb back! Also seemed to miss the hooper signing too! That must have gone down well in sheppards bush
Always ready to oblige Munky Wigan (A): 7 shots on goal Man Utd (A): 1 shot on goal Fulham (H): 15 shots on goal Newcastle (H): 12 shots on goal Southampton (H): 6 shots on goal Source: OPTA Although Man Utd away came as close as possible without actually qualifying, there were in fact NO matches in which we had ZERO shots on goal. It is true also that the 7 shots v Wigan, and 6 v Saints, represent a pretty miserable showing. But when you look at the stats (reliable ones at that) the reality is somewhat less awful than the picture painted of it on here.
Sorry but I don't agree with those stats. I was at the Southampton match and only recall a free kick and penalty shot ever being on target so I can't see where the other 4 efforts came from"
Of those games I was only at the Newcastle one and there is absolutely no bloody way we had 12 shots on goal - unless of course goal kicks are perhaps considered?
Yes. The total number of shots is broken down into On Target, Off Target and Blocked. There is a lot of analysis available about the relation between number of goal attempts and goals scored or points won. People make a lot of "making the keeper make a save", but a great many "saves" are actually made by defenders in front of the keeper. A large number of goal attempts may make for a greater feel good factor among spectators, but it is often misleading with regard to potency and winning the game. A classic example of this is the criticism frequently levelled at Arsenal that they don't shoot enough and keep wanting to walk the ball into the net. But the probability of actually scoring with a shot depends on a variety of factors which include distance, angle, intervening defenders, goal keeper position etc. The probability of scoring is vastly increased by working a true opening in which the shot is from close in with defenders pulled out of position. This is what Arsenal try to do. The idea that the probability of scoring rises with the number of shots taken is quite simply false. Also, many games are won by the team which has fewer shots on target: the winners are usually those teams which defend efficiently and attack efficiently; it's not a matter of how many shots they or the opposition put in.
Maybe wayward passes that go out for goal kicks? I mean, how close do the goal do they have to get to be considered missed efforts?
Broken down, of the 12 shots, 2 were on target, 10 were off target, 2 were blocked. Maybe you are counting only on target shots Munky? But if we are talking about attacking play generally and getting forward into a position to shoot, off target efforts count along with blocked efforts and on target ones.
There are no doubt criteria laid down for identifying a real shot as opposed to a misplaced pass. I am sure OPTA will provide the information if you ask them. But you and I can probably do a pretty good job at distinguishing those ourselves so I don't see reason to be so sceptical.
Sour grapes because we signed Hooper, , I should imagine his daddy was right upset! Good summary in that article. We have definitely done some of the best business in the transfer window, in terms of squad improvement we are probably the most improved team in the EPL.
I know a number of us have submitted various line-ups for the season opener over the past few weeks (and no doubt it'll all change over the coming days), but I thought I'd update my opinion. If I had to pick a team today to play Everton (and bearing in mind Fer will be suspended, and Bassong/Pilks injured), it would be this: Ruddy Whittaker - R.Martin - R.Bennett - Olsson Tettey - Johnson Snodgrass - Howson - E.Bennett RvW Subs: Bunn Turner Garrido Redmond Hoolahan Hooper Becchio Thought about starting Redmond, but I have a feeling that E.Bennett and Olsson would link up well on the left - thus, it's an impact sub role for Redmond.
You'd get no complaints from me if that was the starting line-up on the first day of the season. Looking forward to seeing what the starting 11 is on Sat. Will post a brief match report on here in the evening.
