That run of games REALLY is going to define our season and if we can get 4 or more points out of that lot, then the worst we should is end up in the play-off places. Let's not forget that they all have to play each other as well. For what it’s worth, I’ve found a ‘final table’ prediction; but as we all know, football isn’t played on a computer – doesn’t take account of injuries/suspensions, loan players being recalled, floodlight failure, INEPT REFEREES, etc, etc!! It's interesting tv see how much table positions have changed since 8th Sep, with NCFC showing the biggest gain (closely followed by QPR) and Brentford falling the furthest. Enjoy
As Sheffield United lost to Barnet in the cup it means our tie with them will go ahead on the 26th of January. At least we shouldn't face a fixture pile up. Important week this as Leeds are at home to Derby Friday night, we play West Brom and the blades are at home to QPR on Saturday.
Just seen this from Matt Howman - Come the end of the season, whatever happens, Farke has already led Norwich to their best season since Lambert’s back-to-back promotion year. It’s not down to where we are in the table, or whether we’re in the Championship or Premier League, it’s the way he’s got us playing. Exciting, free-flowing passing. Technically and tactically some of the best football ever played at Carrow Road and all achieved on a shoestring budget, utilising the academy and between him, Stuart Webber (and unfortunately Leeds are doing something very similar) showing the rest of the league how it should be done. <hitsnailonheademoji> https://www.edp24.co.uk/features/matt-howman-fan-zone-norwich-city-column-crucial-phase-1-5842459
Terrific article by Connor Southwell in today’s MFW offering – ‘Last season shouldn’t be referenced at every given opportunity but it does act as an interesting backdrop to how the cogs have now been placed together to create a side, built on scraps, that outperforms even the richest of Championship sides. If they can just eradicate the concessions from set plays, then that will stand them in positive stead as we enter what will be a season-defining period for the Canaries.’ http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...d-city-but-are-they-good-enough-to-stop-them/
Teemu and Marco nominated for PFA Championship Player of the Month. https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/201...month-marco-stiepermann-teemu-pukki-december/
Hits the nail on the head really: "For Leeds, that flaw is Marcelo Bielsa’s insistence on having a thin squad, and history shows us that Bielsa’s side tends to perform worse after Christmas due to his high-intensity training and the increasing fatigue on his players. Considering he has worked in countries who have a winter break, it’ll be intriguing to witness Leeds’ fate over the next couple of months. West Brom score an incredible amount of goals and possesses offensive talent that most Premier League sides would enjoy having at their disposal, yet, similarly to Norwich, they have frailties defensively and the potential recall of Harvey Barnes would see arguably their best operator removed from their side." It's easy to dwell on our frailties but every side has them. Leeds do moan about their injuries while we have players coming in to fit seamlessly to replace those injured. We also have McLean and Marshall available again and hopefully they can provide a spark to get us going again. Can West Brom keep scoring to make up for defensive frailties, especially if Barnes leaves? The first comment makes a good point: "Though this month is very hard, If we come out of it still in the top 3 our chances of automatic promotion I believe will be very good. All of the teams round us bar Middlesbrough away we will have played home and away by that stage. (All the way down to QPR)". If we're still in contention after that, the odds will be in our favour.
The other factor with that statement is that we don't actually have to win many games to maintain that position. Beat WBA and we're definitely going into February level on points with them, or better. Beat Sheffield United and we're at the worst one point behind them. We already have a six point gap to fifth, so one win in our next three is enough to stay ahead of them. A draw with WBA/Sheffield Utd is worth more to us than them too. Whilst we have a tricky January, WBA have a nasty Feb: Boro (H), Stoke (A), Forrest (H), Villa (A), Sheffield (H), Leeds (A),
Am I reading that correctly that we've conceded 11 times from 12 shots on target? Edit: Their table is odd, it also shows that we concede 1 goal for every 12 shots on target.
An excellent summary by DDF re the importance of our next 5 games - https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...-promotion-credentials-to-the-limit-1-5845737 Edit - Having not had a particularly successful December, we REALLY need to start getting some points 'on the board', otherwise we will be in danger of dropping out of the play-off places by the time we head to AN's Preston (assuming he's still their manager) in the middle of February. PS - Just seen this as well - https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...a-part-in-city-s-push-for-promotion-1-5845357
Finally for today - https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...or-canaries-crunch-championship-run-1-5846672
DF clearly impressed with his new '23' - https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...fer-window-interest-in-best-players-1-5847411 Makes me proud to have '23' on my NCFC shirt!!!!
I'm also hoping McLean can bring a new dimension to the rest of the season. He is like a new player coming in and his ability to play well in three different positions could be vital. As DF says: “He can have an impact for us in that deeper number six role but I would say he is versatile. That is not only his best position. Mario Vrancic needed a rest, he had four games in 11 days and no pre-season. If I am honest with Alex Tettey out as well Kenny was more or less the only option in this area of the pitch. Kenny can definitely play this role and also a bit more like a number 10, as Marco Stiepermann has played in recent weeks. Kenny can also come inside from the wing as Todd does. He is flexible and that is one of his strengths.”
Good news from DF on the injury front: "Last week, he reported that Jamal Lewis would be back in the squad for Saturday’s trip to the Hawthorns but it’s a little better than just that. Alex Tettey, Louis Thompson and Emi Buendia are also back fit and available, with Farke even saying that Buendia could potentially start the game."
