Preview = Do I watch the game with friends or go on a 6 mile walk with mum and three friends. That, right now sums up my interest level in next weekends ' game '. I'm really getting to the bloody indifference stage with I T F C about now.
Can't see me getting up at 4am for this one, will depend on my work schedule. It would be annoying to miss a win but I'm not confident we'll get it.
Another drab affair which Naarwich will edge with a flash of class.(Just like the first round earlier this Season)
It's on TV, it's Ipswich vs Norwich, you surely can't miss it? Regardless of how badly we're playing, it might be the first win against this lot for over a decade.
We will not lose to Norwich, that's definite. As bad as we are, they're no better than us. I'm very confident we'll get at least a draw but can actually see us win there since 1925
I wish I shared your optimism, Stretchy. I think a draw will be the odds on favourite result, but a home win also looks feasible. As inconsistent as Norwich have been this season, they have a fairly innovative set up, a tactically flexible coach (compared to Mick, at least), and a squad that has benefited from a competitive, well invested youth academy and first team squad. This season, we have struggled against sides that are stocked with quality players and play a passing style of football. We don't have a proactive manager, we don't play an effective style of football, and we haven't had the investment required to be competitive in this division. Norwich's financial future looks uncertain, and they may struggle to achieve promotion when the parachute payments run out, but at least they have recent Premier League football to point to. If I had to put money on a winner, I'd feel a lot comfortable choosing Norwich. A horrible thing to admit, but unfortunately it's indicative of where our sides are and just how poorly we compare to them ever since Marcus Evans bought the club.
Sod it - I practice about support the town up and down / all the baaaaalax - so I'll HAVE to watch this game realllly.........yep confirmation of Spoons for a breakfast at 10am then off we go..... MEH. Good to see mates if nothing else. As for a better preview of the game - well, last 2 games we've got clean sheets which suggests Mr Vickers MAY be doing a job at CB - though I cannot massively comment as not seen him play Clear as day these 9 will all start - I think Mick will pick the 2 with stars on........ Bart Spence / Vickers / Chambers / Knudsen Connolly / Skuse Waghorn / Ward *** / Sears *** Garner Assume McGoldrick is going to be out / bench at best so that's him out. So realistically, that leaves the following to make a case - * Gleeson - Supposedly decent when has played, perhaps go 4-3-3 varience with a bit more in CM to stop Norwich bossing this area of the pitch..... COULD start... * Celina - most talented player we have, capable of anything however going to assume as apparently NOT great vs Burton, he'll be last 20 and bench... * Sears - We can say Mick's ruined him / he's not taken his chance etc - either way,,,,, is he going to offer enough? I will say apparently him + Ward offered us balance / shape vs Sunderland. I think WILL start.... * Ward - No idea what to make of this lad - looked electric when joined then looks like has been told to play differently. I've sen very little of us the past 15 months now, however our best player at Wolves.... I think WILL start..... * Carayol - Supposedly injected something after coming on vs Burton ( didn't sound difficult ) however think he may be a go to man. Would expect him to come on and have a go..... As per above - I think Mick WILL go for Sears / Ward with a view to get it to half time............. not saying I agree with this, just can see this happening. Verdict = run will continue, 2-1 canaries. Bit of a nothing game this - shame we're not 4 points nearer, a shame from a neutral their not ( though I don't care ) as being close to play offs will motivate - not that you SHOULD need motivating for this fixture - however it is 21st century where the players are paid too much and don't give a toss about you and I. 1 game closer to this boring season finishing.
It's the hope that kills you.. Agree that they are not to be feared, they've been as average as us... But have to agree that they're far more likely to win, probably a rerun of recent losses where we look half decent, they score, we lose all semblance of a football team and they stroll to a relatively comfortable 1-0 win
I can see the following formation and line-up: Bart Spence / Carter-Vickers / Chambers / Knudsen Connolly / Skuse / Gleeson Waghorn / Garner / Sears What I'd hope, from the players available is: Bart Spence / Carter-Vickers / Webster / Knudsen Connolly / Skuse Carayol / Waghorn / Celina Garner Unfortunately in my preferred formation, four of the above are loanees. But based on current form and quality, you'd surely prefer Connolly over Gleeson, Carayol over Ward, Celina over Sears, and possibly even Carter-Vickers over Chambers. It's a sad indictment of where the club are and the massive rebuilding project that has to be commenced over summer. Whether that's by a new manager or Mick, who is surely no longer the right fit at the club or the right manager to increase attendances, improve the playing style, and enhance the atmosphere around the club.
For starters i'd drop Spence over Iorfa. I agree that Iorfa has had some terrible games, but he gives us that bit different attacking wise. But, in saying that, we've kept two clean sheets, albeit to the bottom two clubs, so MM won't be changing anything there. In midfield i'd drop Connolly and give Gleeson a go - more so as i'd like both Waghorn and Carayol to start either side of Garner, with Celina given a free role to roam about the pitch , so two holding midfielders could be required. But, alas, i'm probably wasting my breathe as MM will revert to his usual nullifying team, and have a defensive 442, which is a shame, as this could be an opportunity for Mick to regain some supporter pride.
Connolly has been one of our best players this season.. So much so that I'd fancy he'd feature quite high in Player of the Season awards
As a wider point, and probably a topic worth debating nearer the time, but I think it's clear we need a large scale recruitment drive in the summer. However, I am lacking the confidence the club will bring in the required quality, regardless of manager. After the loan players return to their parent clubs, we'll need at least a new right-back, two centre-backs, a couple of wingers, and maybe another striker. Depending on departures, we may need another central midfielder and a new goalkeeper. If we have a new manager in place, will he rate the likes of Spence, Knudsen, Chambers, Skuse, Sears, Ward, McGoldrick, and Garner? I also cannot see squad players like Kevin Bru, Luke Hyam, and Stephen Gleeson staying beyond the summer either. We will probably offset some of these requirements by promoting some of the youth players, and whoever is in charge next season should not shy away from some of the quality we have in the academy. The likes of Andre Dozzell, Tristan Nydam, and Flynn Downes have the ability to play first team football, although they are inconveniently all central midfielders in an area where we are well stocked. The likes of Josh Emmanuel, Myles Kenlock, Luke Woolfenden, and Ben Morris will need to be given opportunities to impress, but I'd argue, Kenlock aside, they are probably more suited to being squad players.
I totally agree, but he hasn't been that great of late, and as he's still only a kid, the exertions of the long season finally might be catching up with him. This is a brutal league, and to expect a kid to play so much, especially in the centre of midfield, is a lot to ask. I'd give him a break, maybe just for this week. He's done fantastic for us up until now, and even though i would generally prefer him to Gleeson, i think chucking Gleeson into these kind of games would be more beneficial (especially as id like to see Celina and Carayol start)
I think we'll be best suited with a variation of 4-3-3 with Skuse/ Connolly / Gleeson in CM. Okay, probably doesn't get the pulses racing but would allow Celina a free role. Waghorn to float with Garner the link up. At Sunderland, apparently we were very balanced supposedly in no small part to Ward/ Sears out wide offering shape.
Norwich aint as poor as you think, apparently they caused Derby probs at the weekend, i honestly think they will win comfortably!
Agree, see it being a struggle. Will post my thoughts online Sunday evening. Love it if we won, a draw would be creditable as they are a good side. Defeat, well depends what kind of loss it is. If say 3-2, we've had a go, Celina + Carayol have both had at least 30 then I really won't be complaining. If however, it's a routine 2-0 H win with us having 1 shot on target, 3 off target, 10 men behind the ball play for 0-0 half time, try desperately to get to 65 say 0-0 and make subs then for a derby in particular........... I will have massive issue. I get McCarthy's logic at times / I understand his perspective. However, had we been braver at Wolves.... they were there for the taking that day in the 1-0 loss. We'll see....
Is it just me or has the board changed to a gambling site? I can't see an option to start new threads?
