Ah well, at least we didn't go through 120 mins before a game we thought we could take points in? I'm struggling. Looking at the teams in the quarters, we could have had a chance of getting further.
Obviously it's frustrating, but (and I hope I'm not cursing us...) this might be a blessing in disguise. A decent performance, some fringeplayers with a great chance to show what they can do, but without having the burden of a long cup run. No shame in losing on penalties away to Everton
Sounds like you guys were unlucky by the stats and updates on the bbc I have been in work so missed the game unfortunately
Personally I hope these players get another chance on Saturday. It's a game we're likely to lose anyway, so let's see how they can fare. But I'm scared it will be Ruddy and Martin and the usual suspects, and poor old VOO will be sent back to the fringes. The only player AN seems keen to bring back from those fringes is Grabban. He keeps trying him away from home, I think in the hope that he can score a winner and then all the fans will forgive him and he can release him back on Carrow Road. What he sees in Grabban is beyond me (other than speed), but AN is the boss and he's done pretty well so far, so we just have to trust his judgement.
We don't have a clinical finisher - if we did all would be grand in terms of points on the board - we need a better striker- often playing well but no cigar
For all the obvious issues with Grabban our manager still see's something in him that he likes, I would say that it is his style of play fits with how AN wants to set us up and as a consequence this is why he is valued over Hooper, Lafferty and even perhaps at one point Jerome too. AN has said that it is up to Lafferty to learn to adapt to play in his system and evidently he feels he still has not. I prefer a manager who has a clear idea of how he wants to play (It helps that it is a relatively attacking style that is sometimes pleasing on the eye!) and will play round pegs in round holes, rather than play someone who is failing to adapt to the style required. Even if on face value they look a better player (And who doesn't look better than Grabban!) It is frustrating that Grabban for all his faults and his hissy fit is still in AN opinion one of the better fits for that style as he is not exactly pulling up trees. But much like Jerome our main strikers contribution should not be measured purely in goals, more in wins, because I still believe that AN see's his main striker more as a facilitator to get others up and around the box to get the goals. Of course chipping in with a few too. But look at his Hamilton side and the goals were often from elsewhere including the then prolific Andreu from midfield. I can't stand Grabban, but there is a way back for him in my book, not just getting goals but if we start to win with him in the side, I could let it go. Were we better against Everton for his work rate and defense from the front? (I genuinely don't know, I haven't seen any highlights even!) But a question for us all would be; In January would you sell Grabban? For me given his main probable suitors would be Bournemouth, I'd have to say yes. Bournemouth would be desperate for a striker with Wilson and others injured and if we don't sell them Grabban they might get someone good! That and we could stiff them on the price. That said there is the small risk that his goals could (Trying to stifle a giggle as I typed that!) fire them to safety. Bah!
I didn't get there last night, but my lad went and he said up until Barkley and Deloufeu came on, you were the better side and looked quite comfortable. Post the equaliser we always looked the more likely to win it though. Never minded Norwich, a nice club and never met a Norwich fan I didn't like! Good luck for the rest of the season lads, see you when you come back up for the league game on the last day of the season!
Is it any coincidence that we played better than we have in the previous 2 PL games & Martin was on the bench ?
Excellent post general and yes, I would sell Grabban (even to Bournemouth!!), as I'm sure we could get someone who would chip in with more goals/not have hissy fits. Thanks for explaining why AN is unwilling to give Lafferty more game time and I can see him moving on in January as well.
Dont we need abit more than one rather predictable set up. AN seems to have a plan A, but cant adapt playing styles for differing opponants. Its all becoming alittle bit predictable and our formation and playing style is being unpicked at will by opposing managers. Time for a mix up of personel and tactics I feel. Yet AN is leaving himself with fewer and fewer options and is closing lots of doors behind him with his one domentional playing style. The last few games I have watched teams are sitting on the edge of their own box, soak up the pressure, then catch us on the break with a slow limping defence.
I'm not entirely sure I agree, I think as he says there are layers of tactics and options that can be added to the formation. The personnel employed in each position is also very important and can have a bearing in how the formation operates. Also critically is the form of those in the team. Unfortunately I think a few have dipped and at this level that will always cause us to struggle. Don't get me wrong, any team needs a plan B, C etc and some degree of adaption to the opponents in front of them. I would hope that any manager would practice a change in formation e.g. bringing on an extra striker to chase the game. I'm sure we are no different. The best sides though know how they want to play and successfully impose that game plan on their opponents, now I know that that is mostly the bigboys who have the players to do so, but; Swansea, Stoke (Pulis vintage) have/had their styles and generally stick with them with a degree of success, so why not us? I actually think our style is not so far from the mark. In all the recent games we have still created chances (OK so not many good ones after a promising opening vs WBA), but the key as we found out vs Middlesborough last season is taking them and taking them first. I think we will come good and start scoring again, the WBA of this world will always make that hard when they are away from home trying to hit on the break but get the first goal and things will get brighter. Unfortunately I agree with you on our defence, it is slow and is being left too exposed and without transfers in January all we can hope is that Ryben can step up and stay fit. But I want us to stick with the plan and build a squad from window to window to get stronger and stronger within the plan. But we need to survive to really stay on that plan so quality RB and CB in January please Mr McNasty? Bah!
Don't agree that you looked more likely to win post the equaliser, but it's all relative from different fans point of view. We should have been 3 up before you scored, your goalie made three fantastic saves, 2 from Grabban headers. I also met some friendly knowledgeable Everton fans, all in all a good game of football, even if the journey was over 6 hours, but it was well worth it. Your support was very very quiet until you scored????
Welcome back ILD you've been sorely missed, I hope life has turned a corner for you and we can look forward to you contributing on here on a more regular basis once again.
