Of course, it's guesswork, but I think there is some obvious evidence: Bassong and Redmond really liked him Becchio probably didn't I suspect most of the others were pretty keen on him as a person and pretty desperate to play for him right up until late February, based on the fact that they all still looked behind him. I suspect now, the vast majority (as superman says) feel that he wasn't up to the job despite their personal feelings. That might well include Bassong and Redmond. I think the players who were most likely to have put this to the board are: Ruddy, Martin, Turner, Hoolahan, Howson, Snodgrass, Pilkington and RvW and probably a combination of several of them Pure speculation obviously, but I think that adds up in terms of what we saw on the pitch and how they reacted to the fans, as well as who has been marginalised lately
The Guardian has a pretty balanced article about this: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/06/norwich-chris-hughton-sacked-west-bromwich (on my phone so can't post as a link) they seem to think the players were frustrated too. I will feel better about this if it's been player driven as it means their reaction should be positive and well see a proper reaction from them. If it's come from the fans then this could literally lead to anything. Will be interesting to see what comes out over the next few days. I know Mick Dennis intends on producing a price for myfootballwriter tonight once he has his ducks in a row.
This is true. Something like 68% possession! I think the subs can only really be explained in the context of the sacking - I'm fairly sure Hughton will have known his job was absolutely on the line for this match and that certain players were no longer on his side, so was struggling for options.
if you're desperate, throw on becchio. there can be no logical explanation for bringing becchio on otherwise!
I'm probably in a minority but I actually saw some merit in the substitutions. 1. Hoolahan was ineffective on the left of midfield (not his best position and he should have been playing just behind Hooper) and the injection of pace in the form of Redmond to run at the very good Stephen Reid seemed to be a good call. 2. McAuley and Olsson totally dominated Hooper and Elmander with their physical presence and positioning. I can see the logic of bringing Becchio on (rather than Wolf) as he is more of a physical unit (although he hardly put himself about). I remember Holty pulling McAuley and Olsson to pieces in the corresponding game last season and I guess that's what Hughton had in mind although obviously that failed badly. 3. Olsson appeared to pick up a knock and didn't look in great shape afterwards. Bearing in mind he is carrying an injury anyway his replacement by Jonas was probably one of necessity rather than tactical. Just my thruppence worth - I don't expect anyone to agree with me...
i have been harsh. i didn't see olsson get injured but i'll take your word for that. i thought he was going to switch to 3-5-2 and put gutierrez in midfield but he went to left back - perhaps not bonkers but a missed opportunity. agree hoolahan was woeful. redmond, fair enough. but bringing becchio on is bonkers at any time!!!
I've heard several rumours that RvW, and too a lesser extent Hooper, fell out with Hughton over the training sessions quite a while ago. Which tallies with some of the things that Holt has said after he left. Apparently training was focused heavily on defensive positioning and the attacking players could be left to their own devices for long periods.
Olsson definitely aggravated his shoulder injury. Why Whits wasn't brought on is a mystery. Or as you say 3-5-2 withe Snoddy moving into an AM role Redmond right and Jonas left.
I'm always a little sceptical of those sorts of rumours because it often sounds like people trying to invent extra mud to sling at Hughton - particularly the reason given for the fall-outs. However, here I can imagine there is an element of truth (in the form of there being some sort of fall out, not necessarily for the reasons given) - that could explain why Hooper was strangely sidelined at one point.
Yeah I generally think that about these sort of rumours which is why I didn't post it while Hughton was in charge. But I know the source on this is someone who would know if it had happened so I'm inclined to believe it.
As ridiculous as it sounds, and I know it would only have been papering over the cracks, but as terrible and inept as we played on Saturday on any other day we would have taken the points considering we hit the bar twice, forced a superb save from Elmander's header and owned the lion's share (60% wasn't it?) of possession over the course of the game. Had we won the game (deserving to or not) then we would have pretty much secured our future at the top table for another year and things could well have been very, very different today. I think Saturday's game pretty much sums up Hootun's tenure at the club, we just didn't quite get the rub of the green and ended up just the wrong side of the tiny margins that are so important in football. We didn't play well, although we also didn't play as bad as we have done on other occasions, but the subdued atmosphere which turned into vitriol as the game drew to a close was pretty much the final nail in the coffin. I'm absolutely gutted for Hootun that it didn't work out for him, but I have to accept that it didn't work out the way he or anyone would have wanted it to so I am fully supportive of the action McNally has made as I don't really think he had a massive amount of option. And now of course it is in Neeyul we trust
mark robson and paul nevin confirmed as assistants in the press conference quote from mcnally - "Firstly we will not go down. Will I resign if we go down? That's a matter I will need talk about with the board."
Is there an edited highlights version of this, i lost the will to keep reading after the first 4000 words ?
i don't believe anybody forces you to read any of the articles. i certainly am not offended if you chose to ignore it
i'm afraid i don't know. it was a very brief encounter. but he was fuming. might have been about the incident with the fan after the game i suppose but would expect there was some serious **** hitting the fan in that dressing room too
3 excellent articles that everyone should read: http://services.pinkun.com/forums/pinkun/cs/forums/3098682/ShowPost.aspx http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/22706/9253900/too-late http://www.theguardian.com/football...ams-little-time-norwich-relegation?CMP=twt_gu
