It's unfair to be that critical of Rusty, there must have been about 50 mistakes made by the Cardiff full-back. If we had got a draw away at Cardiff and the roles had been reversed so that we had 2 shots and they had 30 some fans would be (and rightfully so) angry about the performance but it was a very good performance from Norwich. On the subject of defenders I would consider playing Ryan Bennett alongside Turner. The Spurs game is a great example of our forwards being isolated along with Tuesday's game (Both had a similar NCFC lineup) but this didn't happen at all in the Cardiff game and I think Tuesday setback aside it is something that is improving but still a problem nonetheless. I think the key to our success must be in our midfield and Hughton has found the right combination under Fer, Tettey and Howson but the weak link is really our wingers, that's what we need to sort out.
Sorry, yes, we are talking at cross-purposes. The system is fine, but I now do wish we'd brought in an Alderweireld type - it's pretty obvious why our board was chasing him now. My issue with the final third, though, is that we are still lacking numbers there and I'm positive that it's because our players still do not feel comfortable with leaving the defence slightly light in numbers - individual errors are too frequent, but generally I think there is not enough communication.
oh absolutely, i agree about alderweireld. he would have improved us enormously. i sort of agree about the numbers getting forward but not for the reason you give. i think it's because the ball isn't coming in to the right areas. we are getting too compact around the edge of the penalty box. the ball often goes out wide and then comes straight back into the middle, but not into the areas that forwards can exploit. the ball either needs to be crossed from the byline or worked into the middle further back down the pitch and through balls played for our runners. howson and fer in particular have been getting up in support, as have the full backs. i've explained it at a very basic level but i think that's my biggest criticism of how we play at the moment. we play some lovely football 40 yards from their goal and then it breaks down 20 yards from goal.
It's a fair point, it's difficult as a fan to know. This was Holt's key attribute, but it would be unfair to point the finger at RvW or Hooper, because that's not what they are there for. I would have liked to see a bit more from Elmander, but he probably doesn't have quite enough respect. Bassong seems quieter to me than ever, perhaps he has still not fully recovered from his op and is conscious of this, which plays on his ability to speak to others - same with Rusty, who should be another key communicator. Howson seems quite quiet too. So difficult to say, but it seems like a big combination of factors and, in particular, our leaders being, currently, our most underperforming players.
This is my new 'grind out a draw' formation (I've forwarded it to the coaching staff): Ruddy Whittaker - Martin - Turner - Bassong - Bennett - Olsson Fer - Johnson - Howson Hooper
