How long can the run continue...this is my 8th MDT in a row and hopefully I have quite a few more to go yet! After what seemed an age the 2 week international has come to end without any new injury concerns as far as I am aware. This weekends game sees us taken on Blackpool, hoping to continue our run of 7 games unbeaten. The defence seems to be fairly settled for the time being, at least until some left backs starts to return. I imagine we will see Krul, Aarons, Omobamidele, Hanley and Byram start. It will be interesting to see whether DS decides to throw young Gibbs straight back into the team, as we appear to have lost the flow to our play without him in the team - something as simple as picking up the ball and recycling it quickly or making a first time pass has been missing in recent weeks and slows down our ball progression. I would bring him in with Nunez and Sara ahead of him. If Gibbs isn't ready then I think a midfield of 2 would be better with Mclean and Nunez the best options with a number 10 ahead of them - Dowell or Ramsey. Cantwell may not have a goal or assist to his name yet this season but his overall play has been very good so I think he deserves to start this one on the left - he will also be fresh after not playing over the international break. This might be controversial but on the right I would bring Sinani back in - Sargent isn't a right winger and there is no point trying to shoe horn him in there as it ends up blunting our effectiveness in attack down that wing - Sinani is a better creative force. Perhaps even more controversially I would then move Sargent up to the lone striker role ahead of Pukki. Both have been scoring goals this season but I think we need to go with one of them and rotate especially with the games coming thick and fast this month. For me Sarge would get the nod because I think the team benefitted more from his style of play up top. Blackpool currently find themselves in 19th place, with 3 wins / 2 draws / 5 losses this season. We face them after they have lost their last 2 games against Rotherham and Millwall. In terms of ex-Norwich players we could see James Husband feature for Blackpool. I have to admit I don't know a lot about their team, the only other name that I recognise is Charlie Patino - a very technical youngster on loan from Arsenal who looks to be a promising talent. Positive vibes!!! ON THE BALL CITY!!!
RER's summary of the presser below: As the Match thread has yet to appear here's the key squad news from today's presser: Grant Hanley (shoulder) and Andrew Omobamidele (groin) both available for selection after pulling out of international duty for Scotland and the Republic of Ireland respectively. Hanley had another injection at the start of the international period. But trained since. Isaac Hayden (knee) held back for another 10 days. Smith revealed parent club Newcastle United flagged up an 'effusion' (swelling) after a check up with the player. Hayden was back running on the grass prior to the international period but did not take part in a planned practice game. Ruled out since pre-season after a minor op to 'clean out' a knee issue. Liam Gibbs (ankle). Set to train on Thursday. Will be available for selection this weekend if not adverse reaction. Injured in the Championship win at Sunderland. Dimi Giannoulis (ankle ligaments) targeting a return in mid-October. Injured in the opening Championship home draw against Wigan. Adam Idah (knee) ruled out for a 'number of weeks' after operation Smith labelled 'exploratory' earlier this month. Previously had some fluid taken out of his knee earlier this season, after a knee problem curtailed his Premier League season in February. Jonathan Rowe (shin). Stress-related injury. Still training inside. Smith originally indicated will be a 'number of games' he misses. But would not put a specific timescale on it. Jacob Sorensen (foot) stress fracture. Smith reported last Thursday he is still in a protective boot. Injured in the second half of Norwich City's Championship defeat at Hull City in August. Sam McCallum (foot) out until after the World Cup (December). Had surgery on a metatarsal injury August 11.
This Saturday, City will head to the seaside to take on a Blackpool team struggling at the other end of the table. Michael Appleton’s men have three wins from ten games so far and head into this fixture with a three-game losing streak. Former Nottingham Forest and Leeds United midfielder David Prutton says facing an in-form Norwich City is not who Blackpool will want to face right now. The Sky Sports pundit expects the Canaries to extend their unbeaten run to eight games with a 2-0 win at Bloomfield Road.
Suffolk, I question whether Cantwell has contributed enough to warrant anything more than a place on the bench. Not only has he not contributed a single goal or assist, he averages just 1.4 key passes per 90 minutes played. As a team we are out in front in the league with key passes, averaging 11.6 per 90 (next best, Swansea, 10.8). Even without his contribution, we would still be in the top four for that metric. I also think he slows down our play when he plays in a deeper role, which is the opposite of the speed in transition that DS is looking for. Whether he should start or not, IMO, is a question of whether the injury situation necessitates his starting.
I get what you’re saying. That’s 12% of our key passes, despite only playing 58% of the time, though. That’s equivalent to 2.4 key passes per 90 minutes. Sounds pretty good (better than I expected, I think pure “assists” somewhat overrated). How many of our other midfielders are getting that many key passes in per 90? But it’s much more nuanced than that, isn’t it, particularly for creative midfielders. I think the reason he rarely finishes a game or comes off the bench is purely tactical - it’s not about statistics per se. I am happy trusting Smith’s decisions as to whether, against a particular opponent, Cantwell should start or come on as an impact.
Norwich don't look as combative without Tod, he runs his socks off draws fouls and always niggling away . So far he's been better than Sara imho I don't think his effort is reflected by his xg rating.
I'm not crazy about this strip it reminds me of a Global hypercolour shirt from my teens. Good to see Gibbs back
No Cantwell in the 18, I’d rather see him on the bench than Hugill. We have Pukki and Sargent who could play up front, Sinani plays there for Luxembourg. All offer more than Hugill for me
I must admit I hadn’t looked at stats and was merely stating my opinion based on watching us play this season. As others have said his stats may not look as bad. Either he has a niggle or DS agrees with you though as he hasn’t made the squad today
On paper a straightforward three points. Can't help think that there could be a banana skin. Bit like giving an interview to local radio really.