Not strictly speaking true. NF full back twice in the second half was rolling around like he'd been hacked with a machete, big girls blouse, he'll go far! he still only got the free kick, good on the ref for ignoring it. Its the first time I'd seen any of the youth team and a number of them were impressive. The LB and in particular DM who read the game well through out. I was there with a workmate NF fan and he wanted to see birth certificates on Morris (he's a big lad) and he looked a handful. The Murphy's both have skill in abundance but the one playing on the left spent the entire first half winging to the ref the bench and anyone who'd listen and for a short spell his head seemed to have dropped. He had received some slightly robust defending from NF number 2 but nothing bad. Hopefully isolated and not a premadonna complex. Great to see Holty there supporting the lads, From my vantage point I could not make out what flavour pie he tucked in to! Bah!
Just seen the game. How wonderful to see lads playing the game as they see it in front of them. The Murphys seem to have had a wee bit of criticism for their lets say "overdoing" it. But I would never want to have that coached out of them. I just love to see players with skill and flair try and beat their opponent. OK you can try and beat too many but that will come with experience. And the little left back showed so much endeavour, in fact he reminded me of Kenny Sansom. The CB's weren't afraid to take the ball up the pitch either which is so heartening to see. Of course they will come a cropper now and again but I love to see youngsters playing without fear.
If they get to the final we should aim to get more fans to the game than Wigan are taking to their semi final.
I'm pretty sure Luke Daley scored a hat-trick in that game, another one of those players who nearly made it, but not quite I wouldn't say it was criticism for over doing it, more that they need to learn when to look up and when to pass the ball. There was a couple of times they both chose to try and beat one more player when they should have passed, a bit like Wes in that respect, but they are only 17 and the awareness side of the game will come the more they play. That being said it's nice to see Norwich players running with the ball at their feet. Both the Murphy's, Hall-Johnson and Young were all willing to pick the ball up and run at the defence, something the first team rarely do.
I think the decision making with the Murphy twins will come with age and experience. I think they look talented with a few tricks up there sleeve. I would hate for us to try and take out there "over doing" from them. That is what has got them this far and made them the prospects they are, taking that fearless enthusiasm away from them would be wrong. Cut them some slack and they'll shine I reckon. I could see Huckerby being a good tutor for them, someone else with bags of pace and would beat players as well as look for a pass at the right time. I know he is working with the youngsters at the minute so could be a thought. Agree with the above comment, I liked all the players enthusiasm. I think they have a good future. What does Carlton Morris eat by the way? Christ he is built like a ****house and he is 17?!
Great comment YL Went in yesterday evening to get my ticket for the home game on Tue and I see NCFC have decided to open the City stand for fans, so that it will look like there's a good crowd. Due to ticket sales, they've now had to open area TL of the N&P as well and they'll open more sections as the need arises. Really looking forward to at least seeing a team going forward and TRYING to score and if it's anything like the Arsenal reserve game of a few seasons ago, it should be a fantastic night. Let's get out there and support our youngsters!!!! PS - Any chance of getting Neeyul back on 'Canary Call' - can't stand it these days?????
I am probably going to get the **** kicked out of me here but I am going to say it anyway.......................... at the age of 17 they have probably been playing the game for 10 years or so, would that be fair to say (maybe no in all cases I accept) so my question is - how long does it take to teach someone to look up while keeping the ball at their feet? If I remember rightly it was not that hard to do (unless under immediate pressure of course). Maybe I was a little different (I have no idea if that is true or not as I never took it seriously enough to want to be a football player ) but I knew who was where (both sides) and what was going on around me on the football pitch from the age of about 12/13. To my mind, at 17 years old, they ought to be aware unless whoever has been coaching them has focused on other aspects of the game to the detriment of this particular aspect. I played for Aylsham High and my high school in Scotland when I lived there too and was considered to be a clever and intelligent player but just did not have the body strength to progress, perhaps the physical development is a higher priority?
Ha! The forest fan I mentioned came into my work as usual and said that someone had told him about the comment above and asked if it was me! I owned up and we had a good laugh about it! Come on! Who grassed me up!
Must admit after watching Chelsea I saw a gulf in quality within 10 seconds. There intention to pass was so much bigger than ours, across the back four and the opposing penalty area. Their body shape when passing and movement of the players was totally different.
You'll most likely see a similar gulf in class when Wigan play Millwall later today - but that doesn't automatically mean Wigan will win
