Sounds like we are ramping it up now - a good performance. Bennett sounded like he played a blinder The last two games should see the gaffer revealing his cards as to who might be starting against Wigan
Just had a browse of the highlights on CP and i must say, bennett's cross for morison was superb but his goal was immense, the way he just managed to get the ball out of his feet so quickly and get so much power behind the ball and place it so well just oozed class... I must also say there was a point in the game where de laet picked the ball up and just bombed forward and my honest opinion i cannot remember the last time we had a CB with so much pace. and one more word, old wilbs is doing himself no harm in pre-season, could we be in for a suprise inclusion at wigan!!??
I was hoping for a match report from someone who actually went! Highlights are all well and good, but they are someone else's idea of highlights and may vary greatly depending on your point of view and perspective! Anything to offer, anyone?
I went to the game yesterday at Cov. It was actually an entertaining spectacle for a friendly match Strange atmosphere though and a REALLY low attendance even for a friendly. The Ricoh is far too big for Coventry! I didn't really see what happened with the first goal as ol' Holty was fouled and I was looking at the ref to see if he would give a pen. Caught the replay and Wilbs did a good job of spanking it past their keeper while everyone else was pre-occupied. After that the game was pretty even for the rest of the first half, and at the same time nothing much happened. I have to say that I don't think Chris Martin can cut it in the top of the diamond. He has a good finish on him and I like his ability as an out and out striker, but he just isn't a creative playmaker! We lacked in that department until Hoolahoops came on in the second half. Of the new signings only De Laet started yesterday. He looked fairly solid, but Coventry didn't particularly test our back line all afternoon. Whitbread won everything in the air and is looking like a Prem quality defender in my opinion. Barnett came on in the second half, and didn't look quite as sturdy, but to be fair he has been out for months, so it was good to see him back at any rate. I was really impressed with Korey Smith who was playing RCM. His work rate is tremendous and he has a decent amount of skill too match, and I think he's only 20 or 21. Maybe worth a spot on the bench against Wigan? In the second half we changed all ten outfield players in the first 20 mins, and I think that is why we dominated the possession in the end as Cov only made 4 or 5 subs. It was a scorching hot day in the Midlands and they looked like they were wilting in the sun. Nice to see Norwich looking sharper in every department and I am grateful that Lambo is taking fitness seriously as the Prem will be a big test of stamina. Hoolahan, Morison, Jackson and Bennett definitely looked the part in the last half hour, with Bennett really pulling some strings on the wing. His cross for our second goal was inch perfect and fell squarely on Morison's head and then the back of the net, and his cut inside and 30 yard blast was a brilliant effort for our third. Hope we score a few more of them this season! Jackson was unlucky not to notch a goal. He still takes one too many touches when he should be a bit more impulsive. His work ethic is truly commendable though and no one will forget his vital goals at the end of last season. We were really unlucky not to have 4 at the end after Morison had a good effort spank the post, and he spurted the rebound wide off his knee. At 2 - 0 Clingan had a very good 30 yard effort pushed away by Ruddy. Fortunately the rebound was offside and we kept our clean sheet intact, which I am pleased about. This was about the only thing Coventry managed in the second half. Overall I was very impressed with how the Norwich team seems to have gelled already, and with the work rate, or 'hunger' if you prefer, of Lambo's squad. I think we are going to be a bit of an unknown on the first day of the season. Wigan and Stoke will be tough, but I can see us being a match for both of them. Chelsea however...
The centre of our defence seems to be a right problem for lambert i think, they have all impressed at parts in pre-season but im sure lambert will make the right call. i just feel as if barnett and de laet will start against wigan... Korey has had a really good pre-season aswell, apart from a quite game against palace when he was on he has played very well in the others and one report i read from yesterday was saying how good he looked yesterday, he certainly has the talent and would love to see him produce in the prem! its been along time since weve seen one of our own produce at the highest level. Canary Jack.. When bennett came on, were we still operating the diamond do you know or did we switch to a another formation?
Bothroyds an absolute cock. I can imagine his a nightmare to work with he comes across as arrogant and the type of player who can cause trouble in the dressing room, at the end of day Warnock can deal with ego's though.
Couldnt agree more, and these are the sorts of players the donuts of the pinkun would want in our side! They see the name, they dont look at the bigger picture which is where lambert is spot on
I heard that the goals from Saturday's game was somewhere on youtube, but having typed in every combination I can think of, I can't find them. Has anybody seen them and got a link they can post please?
The Morison goal (all 8 seconds of it) should appear as an option after this short clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTFESWLl5eo&feature=related
we were still playing the diamond at the end i think, but we have never used it with that much width before. it worked against cov, but would definatly be risky in the prem. surman was on the left, didnt see to much from him.
