Good point Supers and Bath. I would like to see a slight change in formation, so that we can use both wings, as there aren't many speedy full backs in the Championship. I know Josh had a nightmare when he came on against Cardiff I think it was, but he was a revelation when he played in the U21 game and I would love to see him come on for the last 30 minutes or so against tired defences. As Cromer said, Olsson could provide excellent cover for Garrido.
Neil Adams also played him there at Stamford Bridge last year. I seem to recall he played well. With Whittaker playing at left back behind him, we got a clean sheet against a Chelsea side still hoping to win the PL. You're right, it is odd that it hasn't been tried more often.
The thing with Murphy (and all young players to a certain extent) is that for every cracking game he has, he'll probably have two stinkers. It's a learning curve and that's why good managers are so careful with youngsters with potential, dipping them in for maybe three or four games and then leaving them out completely for a month. So even if he is brought into the team again, it'll only be a short spell. Redmond has played full season after full season at a tender age but I guarantee you at Birmingham he'll have been the same with his performances being very up and down - they just didn't have any choice but to play him! And no. Wes is still here KEMP.
I think the ideal solution at LB is for someone to get in a time machine and fetch Adam Drury for us. They could grab Hucks while they're at it too!
Fair point re Murphy etc Supers. Let's hope we see someone come in on loan who can cover the left wing for us. IMO, I think Derby have brought in some very good players and I will be surprised if they don't finish in the top two come May!!!!
He seemed to be scoring well for N Ireland! It is water under the bridge now but I still think he could have been a good player for us. I've not seen the ball stick to someone so well since Holt left.
Against teams like the Faroe Islands I hoped he would do well & seemed like a real character but it didn't work out . We need a proper number 9 in the summer.
I suspect that 4-1-4-1 could well be the way Neil wants to go, given the emphasis on Dorrans and Andreu, who would both be well suited to that formation. Given the need for us to push on, it makes sense to sign Andreu as Neil knows his game well. There are possibilities for the left side of that formation, but none of them ideal. Redmond, E.Bennett, Murphy, Johnson and Olsson could all play there, but the first 3 could also play on the right. Hooper, Andreu, Hoolahan and Howson would all be competing for the middle berths, assuming Tettey or O'Neil is playing the holding role. Lots of options and it'll be interesting to see which way Neil goes if that is the case.
I've long been of the opinion that City play their best football with one man up front. Personally I prefer it when we use two holding players (4-2-3-1) and play a little narrower whilst allowing one of the deeper players to bomb forwards as well, but playing with width in a 4-1-4-1 is fine by me. Two up front might be what many of the fans want, based presumably on days of old rather than what actually works - ie, the big man little man effect - but it doesn't suit us and we keep the ball better and create better chances when we have more men in midfield. I'm intrigued to see what Andreu brings to the party. We've been told he has first class control and doesn't lack bottle. If true, that's a step up from one or two
I agree Supers, but it does mean I find it difficult to work out how Hooper fits in, despite him being (IMO) by far and away our most talented striker.
I guess by now AN has had a good look at our squad, and the quality of the opposition in this division and has confidence that Andreu can make the step up and do the business. I'm excited to see what he can do, not read much bad stuff about him.
Lafferty leaving suggests a 4-1-4-1 rather than a 4-2-3-1 as he played in a 3 most of the time rather than as a LW. Hooper could play alongside Andreu, Howson or Hoolahan in the centre of the 4, but are we then really playing a 5 man midfield? I know it's only a YouTube compilation, but a look at Andreu's goals here suggests he can be a potent force behind a lone striker: http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/...ony_andreu_from_hamilton_academical_1_3940800 He and Hooper both playing behind a lone striker could be a very potent force indeed as long as there is enough tracking back to cover the defence. The article about Andreu on the Official Site suggests that he has played in a variety of positions, so there may be other qualities to his game. Might that include playing in a wider role if necessary?
No idea whether this is valid or just a guess? The Carrow Crowd @TheCarrowCrowd 2m2 minutes ago Dorrans will complete his move to Norwich via a loan deal next week, after permanent deal fell through yesterday. #ncfc edit@ just seen this on Newsnow, which presumably where the tweet above comes from? http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/norwich-complete-graham-dorrans-loan-5100004?
I was talking to an Accie fan last week who was certain we would sign Andreu. He said he also sometimes played as a lone striker. I'm not saying he'll do that for Norwich but it explains one of his "variety of roles" and means his high goal tally may not all have come from midfield.
If it´s true about Dorrans joining once the loan window opens, that would make the window a whole lot better imo.
Keeping Ollson and having Dorrans on loan is a far better option than buying and selling of the two. Perfect. Whilst I'm very positive about Dorrans, not sure about Andreu. From the clips I've seen there is not a lot to admire.
