That's the role I wanted Normann to play except with a narrowly defined license to drive forward. Kabak, too, needs to stay back more than he does.
I would like us go back to 4-2-3-1 and go for it, but then I never wanted us to move away from this. I think there are a few players who should maybe be given a chance, mainly Sorensen & Dowell.
Agree with both of these selections - and what about our new 'wonderkid', Tzolis. Just because he had the audacity to take a penalty shouldn't mean he is frozen out of the team
Tzolis came on as sub for 21 minutes at Everton immediately after the Liverpool game, so he hasn't been 'frozen out of the team'. I'd prefer us to stay with 3 at the back with the threat that Rafinha poses down the left flank. Possibly a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-2-1 with another attacking player.
I agree he hasn't been frozen out, DF is taking his time integrating him, he has only been used in a starting role for both EFL Cup games I believe. I hope he plays a larger role as we move through the season but we shouldnt be rushing or pinning all our hopes on a 19year old as SW said.
I have updated the opening thread with some more information. I think I would do something like this based on the assumption that attack is the best form of defence:
Based on Farke's press conference, Cantwell won't be in the squad this weekend. Missed a couple of days of training with a back injury after his U23 appearance. Zimmerman has had surgery, so probably out for a while? I think that all 3 fit CBs will start if we play 3-5-2, with no cover on the bench. I guess injury will force us into a back 4. Byram trained well all week, so getting towards matchday squad contention. No other injury news.
Results wise to survive this is basically a must win. For Farke to survive, the team need to put in some effort, passion & heart which got us promoted last season; all of which were missing for the dross on show at Chelsea. Another poor performance, at home will be the final curtain for Farke, the crowd won't take it and will turn, hopefully contrary to the fluff piece interview with Webber during the week, the board will act!! Hopefully the underperforming players, I'm looking at you - Aarons, McClean, Pukki, Sargent will be dropped, with Williams, Gilmour, Rashica & Tzolis taking their places, I doubt it, but we'll see......
Welcome NorthCity. I agree a poor start at home against Leeds could see the crowd getting on the team's back, however unhelpful that would be. Bit unfair on Aarons and Pukki too though i think. Both have done ok this season in my opinion. Pukki hasn't had much to work with but has covered a lot of ground. Aarons scoring consistently well on Whoscored but I'd add, i've never seen him look so unhappy in a Norwich shirt. I know we're bottom but he really doesn't look like he wants to be here at the moment. Hopefully a change in fortunes this weekend will fix that.
I'm nowhere near as knowledgeable about different formations as a lot of the posters on here, but it seems to me that our midfield is totally isolated. It has no one to take the ball forwards and link with the attack, but equally it doesn't seem to do much to protect the defence. Emi used to be responsible for a lot of the former but he's gone, Cantwell can also do it but God knows what is happening with him (although I suspect stamping of little feet), so that basically leaves Dowell as the number 10 (or perhaps Gilmour or Tzolis?). I'll personally be disappointed if it's 5-3-2 tomorrow and I tend to agree with people who want something like Rashica, Dowell and Tzolis behind Pukki in a 4-2-3-1. But one problem with this is that Dowell and Tzolis have played so little that they may not be 'match fit'. Another is we need one of the 2 in the double helix or whatever it's called to be able and willing to operate as a true disciplined DM, but we have no one except perhaps Sorensen, who is untested in that role at this level and is also not match fit. We really have painted ourselves into a corner.
But that still leaves a hole where the Number 10 would be and relies on the wing-backs storming forwards, which a) leaves gaps at the back b) leads to crosses going in for a player who isn't tall or a good header rather than balls going through from the centre of the park to a player who thrives on making great runs.
My guess is that the formation will change but more likely to a 3-4-2-1: Pukki Rashica Sargent Giannoulis Normann Gilmour Aarons Omobamidele Hanley Kabak Krul Aarons will likely push forward more than Giannoulis (or Williams) because of the danger Raphinha poses on the left flank. Both Normann and Gilmour are capable of progressing the ball to the attacking players against 3 not particularly strong CBs, though they will have Kalvin back at DM shielding against attacks through the middle. The Leeds attack is slightly blunted through the loss of Bamford who is injured, and Rodrigo, an AM who can also play up front, will replace him. The danger though will come from the wings as both WBs are actually AMs who will attack as well as put crosses in. Rahinha will be a handful for Omobamidele and James will test Kabak. It's possible DF may use McLean or Lees-Melou to help out at the expense of Gilmour if he's considered not strong enough defensively but that's hard to predict. This will be a real chess match between Farke and Bielsa and should be a good game.
From the noise coming from Chelsea Gilmore needs some minutes . Put him in alongside Normann with the intention that he has a bit of licence to go forward. If he has another bad game then get ready to return to sender . Pukki has been poor but he's achieved so much for Farke dropping him is unimaginable especially as Idah is not exactly on fire for Ireland. I thought taking a gamble on Armstrong would have been worth it but he's not really doing much at Saints so it shows what I know
