From PinkUn - “Sporting director Ben Knapper asked for more time to make a decision on the City head coach, reminding supporters in the room that he'd only arrived at Colney 18 days ago.”
One of the, if not the, most interesting things to come out of the AGM is something Mark Attanasio said about further developing the club's data analytics capabilities, in particular the intention to move to "owning our own data". In other words, doing for ourselves what up to now we have relied on data providers like Opta to do for us. This is an example of the club aiming to get ahead of our competition, by collecting data in a form most appropriate to our own needs given the style of football we intend to play. In short, we are planning to follow in the footsteps of Brentford and Brighton. This was clearly a major factor in the appointment of Ben Knapper and an example of how we can now draw on and benefit from the expertise and resources of the Milwaukee Brewers.
There was also some good news for those more interested in league position than data analytics capabilities, namely that Attanasio envisages being able to provide backing for Knapper in January if need be.
FA Cup 3rd round draw has been 'kind' (subject to form disclaimer) Norwich City v Crewe or Bristol Rovers
Good news on the injury situation: https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/team-news-wagner-provides-squad-update-for-preston
Ben Lee's analysis of the Bristol game: https://ncfcanalysis1.wixsite.com/ncfcanalysis/post/bristol-city-vs-norwich Another chapter in the vain search for positives. He was so optimistic at the start
And here his analysis of the Preston game: https://ncfcanalysis1.wixsite.com/ncfcanalysis/post/norwich-vs-preston
Good summary. Preston parked the bus big time, but had to depend on 3 clearances off the line to keep us out. I was particularly interested in the new role for McLean and kept an eye on his movements and was impressed, as was Ben. "In his new centre-back role, McLean completed more progressive carries (9) than any other player. In fact, Norwich’s captain progressively carried the ball a total of 680 yards on Saturday, 388 yards further than Nunez in second place, and an astonishing 623 yards further than any Preston player. This, combined with McLean’s progressive passes totalling 889 yards (98 yards further than Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman), demonstrates the significance of the Scot in achieving the verticality David Wagner demands." It's interesting that Preston adjusted their tactics at Huddersfield and won 3-1.
You -- and Ben -- are talking about the bit of it when he has the ball at his feet and isn't faced by high pressing opponents. If Wagner picks him at LCB on Saturday, we'll likely see how well he performs the other side of the role. (Personally, I'd prefer to see Batth come back in at LCB against Ipswich, and Forshaw in midfield.)
In fairness, Ben does mention that later and I have my doubts as well. I'm not convinced that Forshaw is the answer and I'd rather see Kenny in his usual role and dropping back to the left of Duffy and Batth when the ball is lost.
Wagner had good news on the injury front: "With the exception of Josh Sargent, he was able to field a full squad in training this week ahead of the Terriers arrival at Carrow Road." With Josh due to return to training on Monday, we now have a fit squad, though match fitness will take longer. Giannoulis is over his tight hamstring and Hwang and Gibson might also be available for Huddersfield. Hanley could be an option after Boxing Day. Sørensen will build his fitness in U21 games. https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/team-news-norwich-huddersfield
Ben Lee's latest piece, in which he examines the regularity and ease with which opponents -- in this case Bristol City, QPR, Ipswich -- manipulate and neutralise Norwich's press. https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/24014984.norwich-city-ben-lees-canaries-championship-tactical-take/ It highlights the failings of players and coaching when it comes to out-of-possession play.
I am probably too tired and not thinking straight, but decided to try and rank the players from A-F for this seasons and a small comment why. I would be interested to see what others think and how they would rate them. Most have ended up as a C meaning they have been okay, but not set the world on fire. Outfield players are by alphabetic order of the first name and the format has gone a bit awry when I pasted from excel, but I think you can all work it out. (Some have a - (minus) next to them it isn't a dash , Idah and Wagner are examples that I remember.) Player : Games: Goals: Yellow: Red: Rating: Comment Adam Forshaw 3 (5) 0 1 0 D Hasn't really played much Adam Idah 14 (11) 6 2 0 C- Frustrates me no end, has improved under the influence of Barnes, been better as an impact sub for us Ashley Barnes 15 (3) 3 4 0 B We missed his experience in the mid season slump. Was working well with Sargent before his injury. Ben Gibson 16 (0) 0 3 0 E I really do not rate him, one mistake in him per game, usually costing us a goal Borja Sainz 4 (8) 2 2 1 C Not played much, probably would have got a B if it were not for his sending off Christian Fassnacht 14 (10) 3 3 0 C Played decently as far as I remember Danny Batth 4 (5) 1 0 0 D- Rating is more aimed at the manager, really think he should have played more Dimitrios Giannoulis 20 (3) 0 4 0 C Done okay, made a few mistakes, but generally solid Gabriel Davi Gomes Sara 26 (2) 5 4 0 B Flashes of brilliance, some really good through balls at times Grant Hanley 0 (1) 0 0 0 N/A Not played enough Jack Stacey 22 (4) 1 3 0 B Been pretty impressed with him Jacob Lungi Sorensen - - - - N/A Not played enough Jaden Warner 3 (0) 0 1 0 N/A Not played enough Jon Rowe 21 (3) 11 4 0 A Breakout season for him, played really well so far Joshua Sargent 4 (2) 3 1 0 C Shame he got injured looked really good before his injury Kellen Fisher 6 (2) 0 1 0 C Still young, can't remember too much to be honest Kenny McLean 26 (1) 0 4 0 C I think he has been a good as a CB and usual solid self in midfield Liam Gibbs 7 (5) 0 1 0 D At the end of last season I would have expected him to have played more this year, gone down the pecking order, shame Marcelino Núñez 11 (6) 0 4 0 C Played well recently Onel Hernández 12 (11) 0 1 0 B Maybe I have a soft spot for him, always tries his hardest and tracks back to win the ball. Not the most tallented in the squad, better as impact sub than starting Przemyslaw Placheta 6 (11) 1 1 0 C Fast and good when defences have been tiring, not a left back Sam McCallum 6 (4) 0 1 0 C Has been an ample deputy to Giannoulis when called upon, great long throw on him Shane Duffy 25 (0) 1 7 0 C Done okay, made a few mistakes, but generally solid Tony Springett 4 (8) 0 1 0 D Played more at the beginning of the season from what I remember, didn't really leave an impression on me Ui-Jo Hwang 9 (7) 3 0 0 C Been okay, nothing special Goal Keepers George Long 8 (1) 0 0 0 C Did his job as deputy, cheaper option than Krul, but isn't as good Angus Gunn 20 (0) 0 0 0 B Kept us in some games this year, a really good keeper at this level, no surprise our downturn of results was when he was injured Manager David Wagner D- Sometimes the selections/ substitutions have been baffling and can't seem to get consistency out of the team
@zogean_king Much as we all love him, Onel is definitely not worthy of that "B" rating. He reminds me of the cartoon Tasmanian Devil, whizzing about all over the place to little or no effect. Opposition teams could safely let him run where he wants and he still wouldn't score. The idea that maybe he could trade velocity for accuracy never seems to have occurred to him. But yes, to his credit, he always tries his hardest and, being quick, has lately proved his worth tracking back.
Haha, yeah I think a C is fair and would prefer him as an impact sub last 20 mins because the Tasmanian Devil can make tiring opposition to make mistakes
Birmingham City have sacked manager Wayne Rooney after just 83 days in charge of the Championship club. The 38-year-old was appointed on 11 October following the controversial decision to dismiss John Eustace, with Blues sixth in the table. Since then they have slipped to 20th, Monday's 3-0 loss at Leeds having been the ninth defeat of his 15-game tenure. "Football is a results business and I recognise they've not been at the level I wanted them to be," Rooney said. When will clubs realise that Rooney is no manager. Will they never learn.
It is the problem with ' hands on ' Foreign owners. They see somebody who was a good player and assume they will make a good Manager. If they looked deeper they will see that most top class Coaches were not top class players. Rooney is in the same boat as Lampard and Gerrard but no doubt the merry go round will continue.
