No team news yet. Posting early so that SuperBri can get up off the floor in time to get to the ground on Saturday. The ref is James Linington. As you'll recall we had a fair few run ins with Mr Linington last season. Among them the corresponding fixture at the Cottage last October when he gave Norwich two penalties and booked 7 players; Malone, Parker, Johansen and Aluko for us. A major annoyance was the time it took him to show yellow to the Norwich lot. Then there was the abandoned Reading game in January which, arguably, cost us 3 points. As it happens didn't impact League positions in the end but ... what if? Mr Linington ref'd the Wolfsburg game last weekend and maybe he was a bit groggy after the Isle of Wight crossing, 'cos for me he struggled to keep up with play. And another maybe, because it was a friendly but he was ultra lenient on some of the tackles. Wouldn't be surprised if he had Norwood and Johansen's card marked, as it were, however.
Oh No I lost my voice for 2 days last season after his performance in that game. The team I'd like to see Bettinelli Fredericks Kalas Ream Odoi McDonald Johansen Aluko Cairney Piazon Sessegnon But not sure if Cairney will make it, but think Sessegnon will play LB and Ayite LW. No forwards, but with Piazon playing more forward (Like 'The Ghost' Clint Dempsey)
In his press conference this lunchtime the Gaffer confirmed that Marcus Bettinelli is out with a muscle problem. Otherwise, he says, everyone else is available. Norwich have had a really good pre-season, winning all their games, and been busy in the transfer market - new Head Coach Daniel Farke has been involved a total of 28 comings and goings. However for his first game proper he's hit with a number of problems to key players; Pritchard and Klose are out injured, possibly captain Martin as well; Naismith is suspended; Houlihan and Pinto are recovering from injury and a likely at best to be on the bench. So, for 8 of the 11 it could be their first League match for the club - among them old boy James Husband. Despite that, Norwich are going to try and hold the midfield, probably with a 3-5-2 formation. For us, not at all convinced that Cairney, McDonald and Kebano are 'match' fit. Interested also that Superbri doesn't mention newbie Kamara and neither did Jokanovic in his presser except to say, "Kamara is a young player, who has shown great ambition. He's strong, fast and will be an important player". Reading between the ".. will be .. ", suspect he won't start. So our line-up: ............................Button................ ..Fredericks...Kalas....Ream...Sessegnon.... ...........................McDonald...... ...........Norwood... Johansen.....Piazon... .....Aluko............................................Ayite... To be honest McDonald is an optimistic hope because (so far) just don't rate Cisse.
We are somewhat exposed with Betts injured,most 606rs know my views on him, but in reading past reports he has to be a country mile better than Button. Therefore my prediction 3 - 1 to Norwich " usually wrong hope this forecast follows suit"
The local paper featured an interview with Jokanovic this morning where the Gaffer came out in support of David Button. However, in one paragraph there is an unfortunate typo in the second sentence: "Jokanovic admitted that his play-out-from-the-back style places extra pressure on Fulham’s goalkeeper, but made it clear he has now qualms about starting with Button."
From the number of clear cut chances we gave Norwich they were inevitably going to score one. The gap between our midfield and the back four in the first half was abyss-mal (sorry!). Norwood did go deeper and more central at the beginning of the second, but seemed a tad lost and when Cisse came on to sub him everyone was playing deep. Indeed with the triple subs the Gaffer appeared to have decided to hang on for a 1-0. Poor decision if so! You can guess where that mini-rant is going, I'm sure. Yup, we so badly missed Kevin McDonald. Apart from the playing qualities he brings, without him there was no leadership. It wasn't all doom and gloom however. Far from it at times; pace in abundance and some fantastic ball control. And with a shade of luck and/or a wee bit more sharpness in our passing, we would have been in on goal a whole lot more. When he came on, you couldn't fault Kamara for eagerness. So, positives among the disappointment of dropping 2 points so late on. Had hoped with the fresh start we'd get over last season's hoodoo at home. Which brings my moan full circle - why oh why did we drop so deep, giving Norwich so much possession (an unheard of, in recent times, 51% overall), in the last quarter !
For me it was a case of not taking our chances when we were on top in the first half. And dropping too deep from about the 65th minute before letting in a late goal. Something we did last season too.
I'm a little disappointed too. We dominated the first half and needed to get a second goal as rewards for the display. Our substitutions backfired. We dropped deep, our passing from midfield slowed and we allowed Norwich into the game. At the same time Cairney understandably tired. Interesting to see Kamara, he looked keen and could have scored a worldy. Missed McDonald. As someone said to me today - when he plays he is in the ear of the referee all match, he's talking to the players, directing the match almost as if captain. We can't lose this player. It's day one, we dropped a couple of points today but we also played some good stuff and we look like having a good season.
Don't know if you watched Football on 5 earlier tonight, but what a huge improvement in style and format with the Captain's old favourite, Colin Murray. Thought they might have made a little more about the Norwich goal potentially being offside however. At the game, people around me were claiming it was. Myself - wasn't convinced. But after the on 5 programme I'm not so sure. What do you reckon?
To be honest, taking Norwood off was a mistake. We missed McDonald, but Norwood did a good job of covering for him and when he went off we lost our direction (just like we did last season when McDonald went off). Sessegnon really struggled with Kebano in front of him. Ayite is still not a front man, but Kamara looked promising. Two points dropped, but it's still early. COYW.
Yes, my son kept muttering all match about how Sessegnon needed someone who protected him more in front of him. Thought Norwood misplaced a few paces early on but was a bit surprised he went off when he did as he had definitely grown into the game.
