I don’t know what has happened in training or with the team in general, but I’m sure we’ve all noticed a marked improvement defensively over the last 2 weeks. Yes, both Citeh and West Brom had numerous shots on goal, but Citeh only managed 3 shots on target and West Brom none. I don’t kmow if it’s the fact that Klose has been the ‘missing link’ or a change in tactics – mind you, even Olsson had one of his better games for us yesterday!!!! I thought from the highlights on MotD how we defended as a team yesterday (O’Neill’s shocking pass and JR’s fluffed kick apart) that everyone played their part in keeping a clean sheet and with the weekend off AN and the coaching staff can really ‘earn their corn’ and instil in the players that that is how they have to play until the end of the season. PS – I see the winning goal was scored by a MIDFIELDER!!! Edit - I loved Jarvis' miscue!!!
One thing I noticed on MOTD was Klose barking instructions at the defence of a free kick, mainly at Seb. I really do think he is the missing link!
I have no doubt at all that our defensive upturn is down to Klose. He appears to be a very good leader/organiser, something that was seriously lacking before. Basically very good captain material. Should we survive this season, and I am much more confident now than two weeks ago, he must be odds on to be skipper next season.
I remember last season there was a feeling that Bassong was capable of drawing a performance out of whoever played alongside him, whether that was Martin, Bennett or Turner. We were still less than perfect defensively, but he had a positive impact on those around him. Once he'd found his feet, if feels like Klose is capable of doing the same thing, but to a much higher level. If he can shore up our defence, then surely he's the most important player in our squad right now?
Klose does seem to be the key. He seems a sure head, and knows what he's doing, and what the players around him should be doing. It makes a lovely change to watch. I thought Bassongs return was promising. A fair few times he did just enough to block or put off an attempt at goal.
It looks like the team are prepared to put themselves in the firing line to stop the attacks. That is really encouraging and shows some passion. if that continues through to May, we might just do it.
I think there are a few reason why we've improved recently. 1 KLOSE's arrival seems to have finally forced AN to accept that Martin is not a PL CB. Martin & Bassong appeared to be the first choice partnership, but neither was dominant and they both seemed to want to organise the defence which seemed to create confusion. KLOSE is clearly the dominant CB with Bassong seemingly happy to accept this. 2 MARTIN has realised that he's not seen as a CB unless we play 3, therefore excluding injury if he wants to be in the starting 11 and keep the captaincy them he needs to become our first choice RB, but he now has some serious competition for the role in the form of Pinto. 3 TETTY is injured and we are now no longer overloading our midfield with defensively minded players and O'Neil is now back after his suspension.
Bit unfair on Martin. He is a RB, He wants to play RB, he doesn't like being CB. He told the Manager he wants to play RB, but he was told he had to fill in. I have done work for Martin and do work for a few other Norwich players, and have been told this when talking to a few of them. Martin has never asked to play CB. He knows he isn't one. He just can't refuse to play when picked.
I'm a little surprised by that, it seems very at odds with what the perceived situation was. I cannot say or refer to any article suggesting the contrary, but I think it all came at least in part from his playing CB for Scotland and wanting to play there for club also. All this time and it appears we have been sold something of a red Herring! Some clown has got us all fooled! Bah!
I was too. I went digging myself to try and find a quote, but came up short. Closest I could get was an article where Neil Adams and Strachan were discussed as preferring him at CB, and Martin's response was more along the lines of "When I've lost too much pace to play RB I expect to move inside, it's not a problem if I start that process now", as opposed to saying that's where he wants to play. I'd really like to see a quote from Martin saying "I prefer CB" or "I want to play CB", I can't understand where this pervasive perception has come from otherwise!
When i did the meet and great at the end of the hughton season Russ said quite clearly he wanted to play CB and that thats where he felt his future lied. He may have had a change of heart since then but that to me suggested you've had some dodgy info, FML. I cant see why AN would be trying to shoe horn him in. its quite clear it wasnt working out and Russ didnt want to play there i just cant see why they would have persisted, other than our lack of quality back up
I'm sure he's happy to play there, in terms of him getting game time in the Premier League. The Scotland point is a good one, suppose any practice is good for him, but he likes going forward. He knows he hasn't got the physicality of a CB. He will play anywhere if asked, but he definitely hasn't insisted he plays as a CB.
So do people think our recent improvement is just down to the arrival of KLOSE or has TETTY getting injured help.
No no no. We are 2 games unbeaten! Some teams could fluke that! I really hope the belief and motivation the 2 results we got, gives us a massive boost to take these 3 massive games. We can't say "we are this good coz of.." It's just a draw and a win at the moment. Losing Tetty, is not the catalyst for us being unbeaten for 2 games. He's be brilliant for us. That's very harsh on Tetty. Law of averages, we would not lose for 2 games at some point this season.
And yet many of us were worried that he was the one player for whom we'd no cover - could it be a blessing in disguise???
Totally agree Braveheart. With Mulumbu not being considered as his replacement, we are automatically a shade more attacking, which seems to make us more secure defensively. The outcome looks to be a better balanced team.
I think for a long time we lost balance in our midfield in order to compensate for our inadequate defence in general and in respect of our CB pairing in particular. Now our CB pairing issues have improve as a result of the purchase of Klose, who seems to have taken on responsibility for organising the defence, pushing Martin out to RB both terms of position and leadership of the defence we are no longer overloading our midfield with defensively minded players. Maybe AN, helped by Tettey's injury, is just starting to find out his best starting 11.
