Norwich have kicked off in their first friendly of the day, this one against Olympiacos. The game is being streamed in Fawanews. A young side involved, essentially second string: Moulden, Adelusi, Hills, McConville, Ozcan, Gibbs, Slimane, Mundle-Smith, Marcondes, Sealey, Schwartau Bench full of youngsters as well with Jurasek scheduled to come on at half time. McConville wearing the armband
1-0 to Olympiacos at half time. Really poor half, no presence in midfield or up top, passing was poor. Only 2 showing any composure on the ball was Hills and McConville
Half time 0:0. Misplaced passes galore. Best bit of play, a run from the right across the line of the penalty area by Crnac, ending with a fierce left foot shot, on target but parried by the Den Haag keeper.
Watched the whole game and it seemed obvious that the emphasis up to now has been on defence. We played 3 at the back (Medić, Darling and Duffy) with Stacey and Crisene as WBs. Wright shielded the defence and we maintained a good shape, denying space for them to exploit. Our attacks were less impressive considering Núñez, Wright, Forson, Crnac and Sargent were all involved in last season. Stacey and Crisene operated well as WBs without sacrificing their defensive responsibilities. AJ Bridge replaced Crisene after 63 minutes and looked good on both sides of the ball. Three other young players came onfor the last 15-20 minutes. Manning's take on the game: “We had quite a few feeling it at the end. That will be an accumulation of the physical effort we have put in. When you come away for 10 days you have to push the lads hard and you have to work. But you could see there was some fatigue, a little lack of sharpness, but we know that is the case. We got some really good minutes in the tank and we’ll give the lads some time off when we get back. I expect the freshness to return after that.”
As the Pink'Un journos keep re-iterating Manning's teams are not exactly known for their attacking flair. Anyone hoping for anything approaching our free-scoring performances last season is likely to be disappointed.
Not the sort of fact people want to hear Robbie. I just hope we are not going back to the style and tactics of Smith and Wagner.
Yeah, we were free with conceding goals as well. At Bristol City he had to depend on 35 year old Nahki Wells for goals. Let's see what he can do with Sargent, Kvistgaarden, Jurasek and Diallo this time around. Yeah, a bottom half finish in 13th was so much more exciting than finishing in the playoffs.
It is a matter of opinion but I think it was. I didn't find going for a 1-0 win at best by defensive tactics and the odd breakaway remotely entertaining or exciting nor did the supporters who streamed out at half time on occasions. I personally didn't think that scraping into the playoffs by the failings of other teams and to suffer humiliation when you got there was a successful season but then I watch a football match to be entertained not bored. As I say its a matter of opinion.
