Ok, well we're all a bit disappointed after yesterday's result but let's be honest if we'd known before a ball had been kicked this season that after eight games we would be thirteenth in the table, five points off the drop zone AND above Chelsea, I think we all would have taken that. Make no mistake Leicester are a good side and did a job on us yesterday however, had we approached the first half in the same way as we did the first the end result would probably have been different IMO. I'm normally pretty pessimistic when it comes to football it's what being a Norwich City fan does to you, but I think we'll be ok. #otbc #glasshalffull
We knew it was going to be very difficult for us this year but I'm happy with what we have achieved What's next ? Where will we end up? Don't know answer to either but I'm sure we will have some days like yesterday when the crew did not click and some of the team have poor showing but as long as AN keeps am attacking mindset we will always be capable of getting the win and hopefully we will get over the line If we don't lets go win the CCC again!!
Have to agree with the other posts on here. My summary so far - If CJ's goal had stood against Palace, we could have gone on to win or at least draw our opening game. We should have thrashed Stoke with more clinical finishing and had Butland not had an outstanding game. Came oh so close to picking up 3 points last week and I see no reason why we couldn't now be on 14 points. I'm quite sure that AN and etc will be working over the next couple of weeks to get the payers fired up for our next 2 games this month and I'm hoping we can win both!!!!
Whilst we seemed to struggle bringing in players in the summer, if we have a good first half of the season we could be more attractive a proposition in January. A new centre back is vital only having 3 terrifies me, but it's only worth bringing I splayed who's an improvement given the money we will be spending.
I think this is the key to why I'm personally quite optimistic about this season. Thus far, there are three teams clearly worse than us, in Newcastle, Sunderland and Villa. And in 8 games we've built a solid gap to them. Early days yet, and each of them could improve enough to threaten us, but whilst they're struggling we're OK. The fact we seem to have developed an attractive style of play, which hasn't always been fully rewarded, is also reassuring. I think Neil needs to take heed of our performances against Palace and Leicester though, and perhaps think how we can counter their style better. We do commit a number of players to attacks which has left us vulnerable to the counter. Perhaps swapping Whittaker out for the more defensive Wisdom? We like to commit both full backs with Tettey dropping between the centre backs, perhaps Wisdom staying back to give us a solid 4 as a platform might help?
I remember only too well several people saying along the lines of "Don't worry, we are 4, 5, 6 points clear of the relegation places" before, normally following a defeat, and that "We will be fine" etc. While you have acknowledged there is time and every possibility for that gap to close, I am surprised you consider it be be "solid".
That was more towards the end of the season. Hopefully to have already opened up a gap shows its growing. When we went down I don't think there were 3 teams who were clearly worse than us. Cardiff were but Fulham and Sunderland were kind of on a par with us.
So which is better - 6 points clear with 6 games to go or 6 points clear with 28 games to go? Surely the first scenario decreases the chances of the gap closing? (but it did all the same). For me it is way too early to remotely think of safety although I agree that there are probably at least three teams worse (as it stands today) this time round, but it means precious little in early October I fear.
Given context and the point in the season, I think you can consider that gap solid work at the moment. When we went down we were crap for tens of games on the trot, relieved by results just when Hughton needed one. We had that gap with several games to go, but knew we'd struggle to add to it, whilst Sunderland were beating everyone. At the moment none of the bottom three are in any kind of form, our 5 point margin could well last 5 games without us picking up any points in that period.
Now Dick Advocaat has gone, just watch the Sunderland revival once again. Oh I do hope I am so very wrong
Me too, surely they can't keep doing it? I wonder if it's starting to get to the point where quality managers will see it as too difficult a job to justify taking. Hopefully, anyway! There's no money left, a squad with few bright spots, and several managers have now failed there.
Oh I agree in terms of position. I'm just saying that at this point it's just a nice indicator, at the end of the season it becomes properly about the maths.
That really sums up our season so far IMO. The most reassuring aspect for me is that our heads don't drop when we go behind!!!!
I'm nervous but happy enough. Let's face it, we've had more fun already than we did in 38 games in the season we went down. Even the victories felt like trips to the dentist. My main concern is that we are not always getting the points we 'deserve' when we play well, while not picking up any 'lucky' points when we play badly. Early days, though, and at least if we struggle, we'll fight to the very end.
I think all the bottom three will kick out their managers soon, which is going to put the cat among the pigeons big time. I think relegation is going to be an almighty scramble this time, with at least half a dozen teams in the mix. If we can beat Newcastle and West Brom, I will start to sleep more soundly.
Let's hope our 'luck' changes soon. Redmond's shot on goal towards the end of the Leicester game was destined for the net until it hit a Leicester player on the back and what about Jerome's shot which hit Adrian in the face last Saturday??
While I don't think there's any reason to worry yet and plenty to be positive about, I can't help feeling that when totting up where we were going to find the magical 40, our home games to Leicester and Palace were definitely targets for at least a point or three. That's roughly four points that we're going to need to pick up elsewhere. Ok, bonus point at Liverpool, but I still think we're one or two behind where is be comfortable with given the calibre of our opposition. We have some tough runs coming up where we'll likely score barely any points at all. So I'm not going to get excited about the points or the table one way or the other. What's key is that we are (So'ton and first half v Leicester aside) generally playing well, are competitive and scoring goals.
Newcastle (A) up next if we lose that I'll be a tad concerned, we should be looking to pick up at least a point there
