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Please can we all now get behind the team AND the manager?

Discussion in 'Norwich City' started by Superman wears Grant Holt pyjamas in bed, Sep 29, 2013.

  1. Superman wears Grant Holt pyjamas in bed

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    We've just had a pretty decent week folks, all things considered.

    The Villa result, although disappointing, showed a few signs of improvement. The midfield team selection used that day - Howson and Fer - combined well and looked like a proper partnership. Through, against all the odds (70 minutes in) in a tricky cup tie and now another, well deserved three points on the board in the league at one of our bogey grounds.

    I thought we played pretty well today. The decision to play Tettey (MotM for me) behind Fer and Howson was inspired (I can't think who suggested that idea last week... ;)). With these three players playing in this triangle, it allows all three to play their natural game. Tettey kept things simple, hardly put a foot wrong all game - almost went unnoticed - sign of a very good game for a 'water carrier'. Olsson came in at left back and looked calm and assured. I think its evident that he will now be our preferred left back but as with Hooper, has been eased gently into first team action - that can only benefit us in the long run if he is fit and raring to go rather than constantly playing with injury worries.

    We dominated the first half at the Britannia against a sloppy Stoke side but we forced them into errors across the pitch with our high pressing game. We probably should have been two goals up at the break - Bennett' crashing a header against the post while RvW, completely ignored by the media coverage, was hauled to the ground - stone wall penalty but as we know - that would even itself out after half time!

    Tactics and substitutions - absolutely spot on (not for the first time this season, but I suppose I'd better whisper that). Again, we looked comfortable at the back, in midfield the passing was crisp and measured and once we grabbed the goal we ran the show in a very professional and controlled manner, one I would suggest befitted the term, 'accomplished Premier League side'.

    We were never really troubled by the hosts, other than a shot from 25 yards which trickled into the unworked Ruddy's hands and a pretty blatant penalty call for a foul by Fer on Jones - no idea how that wasn't spotted - but its about time we got a little bit of luck and as I say, we could easily have had one ourselves in the first half. There was one disappointment and its becoming a common theme - the final ball - which on occasion, was grim. Just like other games this season, it is the decision making in the final third which is letting us down. Martin and Snodgrass both had excellent chances to gift the ball to our centre forward but chose to either shoot or crossed abysmally. Snodgrass is a good player - he hasn't become ****e overnight - but he is out of form. Unfortunately, with Redmond out injured today there is little pressure on him. Let's hope he finds last seasons boots again soon - we need him to recapture his form of old.

    RvW looked a little lost and I felt sorry for him - not for the first time - as the balls he thrives on failed to materialise once again. This WILL need to improve if we are to have a good season but the fact we are still able to get results when we are clearly far from playing at our peak is encouraging. No doubt some of the usual suspects will find things to moan about but all in all, it was a good performance but an even better result.

    I certainly won't be getting all excited about today's result. It was a better result than it was performance - but once again, other than the Spurs game, there have been distinct signs that the shape of the team and the way we set out to play the game more positively and with more control of the ball were clear to see. No, we aren't perfect - we probably never will be, no matter who is in charge - but if you know what to look for, ***PATIENCE ALERT*** the development of the side is slowly taking shape, and I'm sorry, but it WILL TAKE TIME!

    It's a strange league right now - everybody is capable of beating each other and we are seeing some odd results. Even more reason not to panic when one goes against you!!! For those who love their stats and in particular, throwing them around in a negative manner, that's now 3 wins in our last 5 away games. Would that not constitute improvement on the road? It's also 4 wins in our last 6 competitive games too. Funny how stats can suddenly sound more positive isn't it...?

    OTBC IHWT
     
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  2. Graham Paddon Football Genius

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    I am glad I am not the only one to spot the foul on RVW, and also agree with the rest
     
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  3. Beefforhire-NCFC

    Beefforhire-NCFC Well-Known Member

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    I saw your post the other day about being resigned to hughton eventually being pushed out and it pretty much summed up my position. when we were in the championship I had talked to fans of teams of "Lesser clubs" Your Newcastles and Fulhams and whatnot and they had warned me about the premier league and what it does to your fanbase, it certainly brings something out in some people.

    There are Norwich fans out there, right now, that are pissed off tonight. We won, away, in the premier league and there are fans out there pissed off we won because it "Keeps Hughton in a job" and doesn't back up their pre-conceptions

    That means that we now have a section of Norwich fans that are pissed off when we lose, pissed off when we draw AND pissed off when we win. You've got to ask yourself, who are these people and what is wrong with them. You've got to question why you are associating yourself with the club anymore, if you want to be pissed off whatever the outcome go and follow politics

    As a Norwich fan you've got to celebrate the victories, if not whats the point.

    I'd rather be "Proved wrong" than be miserable my whole life that's for sure.
     
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  4. WareCanary

    WareCanary Active Member

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    Agree with everything you've said, Superman.

    One thing to add from my perspective: RvW works really hard but doesn't do enough for me in terms of presenting a threat. He often seeming to be on the "wrong side" of players - maybe he hasn't yet adjusted to EPL speed of thought as yet. I wouldn't be totally surprised if Hooper takes his place next game.
     
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  5. WareCanary

    WareCanary Active Member

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    Took the words out of my mouth, Beef. I've found the negativity & mind-numbingly short-termist ignorance of some recent posts quite depressing.
     
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  6. PGFWhite

    PGFWhite Well-Known Member

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    That was a huge win for you boys at Stoke today. I don't think we've scored there in the PL <ok>
     
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  7. carrabuh

    carrabuh Well-Known Member

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    Whilst the three points were very welcome I didn't see a lot of change.

    I'm disappointed to now find Redmond was injured and not dropped by the manager.

    The performance was good for 30 mins and pretty bland for the remaining 60 due to both sides being poor.

    Was not enough there to change my opinion of hughton, only difference was 3 points. I still feel he has a negative effect on the team.
     
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  8. ColkOfTheBarclay

    ColkOfTheBarclay Well-Known Member

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    We've had some torrid games and results at the Brittania over the years. This was our first ever win there, at the 10th (I think) time of asking.

    For all the good work Norwich put in, I doubt any team will have as easy an afternoon in the Potteries as we did today. Stoke were god awful. Some what of a surprise considering their recent performances!
     
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  9. Oxcanary

    Oxcanary Well-Known Member

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    I thought we looked ok and was pleased there was a lot less hesitation than there had been at Stoke last couple of seasons
     
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  10. Canary Rob

    Canary Rob Well-Known Member

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    Carrabuh, I agree that the performances from both teams were dreadful after we tempered down and it was a poor match, but this is probably the most ridiculous thing you've said in a long time. You cannot use this as a stick to beat Hughton with, it's illogical. How do you know Redmond would have played anyway? Managers have been known to lie about players being injured to make them not feel bad about being dropped - it certainly suits Hughton's purpose here (I.e. Redmond is a crowd pleaser and already popular as shown by the ridiculous booing of the sub last week so the only way Hughton could drop someone without causing a mini-riot was by pretending their injury). Credit at least for the Olsson switch (even if there is something if a sigh "finally" to it).

    One way or another he put the right team out and made the right substitutions. Forced or otherwise. I agree that one swallow and all that, but to pretend this was otherwise a good result and dominant win (1-0 belies the fact that they had one shot on target and only a couple of chances whereas we were more threatening).


    As for us, still the same problem of sitting back once we'd gone ahead and it sounds like Elmander's presence caused us to lump it a bit more which is a shame when we are beginning to pass it, but at least there are now glimmers of light. We also really need to sort out Snodder's form and our passing in the final third, especially the decision making, is dreadful. I actually feel we need Hoolahan. Alternatively, i wonder whether RvW should be "injured" next week and we play Hooper, who is stronger on the ball and brings more to the team, but forces us to keep it on the deck. Though lest we forget, Stoke were in good form and the Britannia is a very tough place to go - so maybe stick with the same team for credit's sake. Ultimately, football is a results game, so we should take these results and be grateful. I am now looking forward to Chelsea.
     
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  11. carrabuh

    carrabuh Well-Known Member

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    I didn't know, I just said I was disappointed ad it was not a managerial decision and something to be positive with the manager.

    I am of the opinion Redmond is a factor to our poor results.
     
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  12. PGFWhite

    PGFWhite Well-Known Member

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    I only saw the last ten minutes. Being 1-0 down they should have thrown the kitchen sink at you - I don't think they had a shot! Very un-Stoke like. (Or good defending on your part)
     
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  13. tipsycanary

    tipsycanary Well-Known Member

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    Who would you have instead of CH?
    Who would you play? Or is it more the style of play?
     
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  14. DHCanary

    DHCanary Very Well-Known Member
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    Yeah, I was surprised nothing was made of that on MOTD, etc, he was certainly held back. Evens out with the Jones one though I guess.

    I was convinced I'd suggested this at one point myself, and was going to act all smug and quote myself post-match, and then I couldn't find the post. Either it was on another forum, or I'd said it in conversation to someone. Damn.

    I was surprised at this too, in the final few minutes I was expecting the ball to go to Begovic and Stoke pile every player into our half, but they just didn't really seem that bothered.
     
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  15. GozoCanary

    GozoCanary Well-Known Member

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    I'm still far from convinced about Hughton, but I can't say that it hasn't been a very good week for both him and the club. He made exactly the right changes at Watford and seems to have got things totally correct yesterday. So I think he has definitely earned himself more time. (Which makes me very glad, since I can't really see a wealth of talent out there waiting to take his place.)

    One thing that does please me is that these two performances seem to prove that he has not lost the dressing room, which I was beginning to worry that he had.

    The opposition were poor today (like a team often is when they are trying to change their style of playing), but it did look as if we might be some way towards solving the midfield problem. The defence looks pretty solid against anything except the very top players. So now there is just the final third, somehow getting the best out of RvW, and what to do about Snodgrass's form and (possibly) attitude to worry about.
     
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  16. Bravo_Win_or_Die

    Bravo_Win_or_Die Active Member

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    I watched the game today on US TV. Thought our defense was really good and dealt with Walters, Jones and Crouch very effectively - which is no small ask. I would give Tettey MoM, as others have said, he mopped up so much in midfield. Pilkington (minus the Amish look) and Bennett were the other performances to mention. Ryan Bennett is developing into such a classy defender.

    The team appear to be growing in confidence, and developing a better understanding of how Hughton wants them to play.

    Bring on Chelsea.
     
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  17. Canary Rob

    Canary Rob Well-Known Member

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    What's that?

    Did I hear that RvW may have a recurrence of his toe injury?

    Forgive me for being a little sceptical... <laugh>
     
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  18. BillyNCFC

    BillyNCFC Well-Known Member

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    RvW did take his boot off as soon as he was subbed, might be feeling it a bit still. Was at the game and thought he worked unbelievably hard off the ball, covering for pilkington and snodgrass as well as harrying the centre backs. His work rate in the second half was the biggest shift i've seen from a striker in a long long time. It's a shame that the work isn't all getting in behind the full backs but that's not how it goes.

    Also not sure if it came across on tv as well, but it seemed a real shift to a 4-3-3 in the second half with pilkington and snodgrass staying much further up the pitch, real counter attacking intent shown, shame redmond wasn't fit to replace one of them his pace in that formation could have been lethal.

    Overall tactically and performance wise sensational team result, to limit stoke to 1 shot on target and that coming in the 79th minute is incredible, a few sore legs this morning, especially alex tettey who seemed to be on speed or something, getting back to his best it looks like. When he plays like that he looks a class above Johnson!
     
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  19. Guru of Ipswich

    Guru of Ipswich Well-Known Member

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    supers, i watched yesterday game and totally agree with everything you said, it was a better result than performance, you were let down in the final third big time, but made chances for yourselves by pressing Stoke back.

    Must admit i didn't see RVW getting pulled down, but i think your were very lucky with the Fer incident because i believe he was booked in the first half, and if the penalty was given it would have been a second yellow and you would have had 30ish mins with 10 men.
     
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  20. Norwich stare at the Premiership

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    Always amazed at the ability of the so called "do gooders" on this board to villianize the people who don't agree with them.

    I have given clear reasons as to why I think every win under Hughton is a further nail in the Norwich Premiership coffin. Now I'm considered "impossible to please" and "moronic" and "dissociated with the club" etc.

    If you're all just "happy to be here" then that's fine but to me the future looks dark at this present time.
     
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