1. Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!

2024/2025 season

Discussion in 'Norwich City' started by RiverEndRick, Jun 8, 2024.

  1. RiverEndRick

    RiverEndRick Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2011
    Messages:
    17,005
    Likes Received:
    8,849
    Well, if we are to get this season back on track the next 4 games provide an opportunity:

    Plymouth h
    Luton h
    QPR a
    Portsmouth h

    After that we have Burnley at home and Sunderland away in the mad crush around Christmas. With most players returning from injury the opportunity is there but will we take it?
     
    #201
    CanaryChris likes this.
  2. Hairy Mary Quite Canary

    Hairy Mary Quite Canary Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2011
    Messages:
    3,784
    Likes Received:
    2,861
    Plymouth h :emoticon-0148-yes:
    Luton h
    QPR a
    Portsmouth h
     
    #202
    RiverEndRick likes this.
  3. Robbie BB

    Robbie BB Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2021
    Messages:
    2,282
    Likes Received:
    1,219
    I wasn't aware we'd got off track. What track are we supposed to be on?
     
    #203
  4. Hairy Mary Quite Canary

    Hairy Mary Quite Canary Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2011
    Messages:
    3,784
    Likes Received:
    2,861
    The "not get relegated while we get things sorted" track
     
    #204
    RiverEndRick and Canary Rob like this.
  5. Canary Rob

    Canary Rob Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2011
    Messages:
    11,742
    Likes Received:
    3,990
    The “competing for the play-offs so we don’t fall too far behind last season” track
     
    #205
    RiverEndRick likes this.
  6. RiverEndRick

    RiverEndRick Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2011
    Messages:
    17,005
    Likes Received:
    8,849
    Well I'd say that 3 losses in our last 4 games before last night against lower half teams (1 goal for, 6 against) was less than impressive, though the West Brom draw was an improvement.
     
    #206
  7. Robbie BB

    Robbie BB Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2021
    Messages:
    2,282
    Likes Received:
    1,219
    Anyone can play "Invent your own Canaries track". I prefer to let the club define the track, and at no point have we got off it.

    Re. the run of games from Cardiff to West Brom, despite the results there was plenty that was positive and, dare I say it, rather impressive -- from the way we controlled the game for 80 minutes at Cardiff, to the gutsy, disciplined draw at the Hawthorns. A lot was learnt over that run of games by makeshift XIs shorn of the experience of Sargent, Núñez, McLean and Gunn. And what was learned was put to good use on Tuesday night against Plymouth.
     
    #207
  8. Canary Rob

    Canary Rob Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2011
    Messages:
    11,742
    Likes Received:
    3,990
    Er you asked “what track?”

    Don’t then whinge when we give you a track!


    I don’t believe for a minute that Thorup’s or the club’s plan included four losses in a row (to not all that top opposition), and being closer to relegation than the playoffs. You’ve now branched into the absurd because once again you feel the need to argue your losing point.
     
    #208
    mike555 and RiverEndRick like this.
  9. RiverEndRick

    RiverEndRick Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2011
    Messages:
    17,005
    Likes Received:
    8,849
    JHT on Marcondes:

    "He brings that intensity in the game and that willingness to do whatever it takes to win. I think what he's good at is actually reading the movements from the others on the pitch. He sees what space will open up because of the movements that we do - he's a clever player. Then of course he has the individual skills also to be decisive and make assists and score goals. He's just an important player for us. I think he thrives in-between the lines and when he has a little bit of freedom to go in-behind or move a little and see where the space will open up. Then he has a good eye for his team-mates, and we can see that if we have him and Borja close to each other then something will happen."

    This has helped to fill the gap left by Sara, especially during Núñez's injury and Nacho's return now alongside McLean will hopefully put our midfield into top gear again.
     
    #209
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2024
  10. SuffolkCanary

    SuffolkCanary Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    5,348
    Likes Received:
    3,298
    McLean is our Rodri, look at how the mega wealthy Man Xity have struggled since his loss
     
    #210

  11. 1950canary

    1950canary Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2011
    Messages:
    2,623
    Likes Received:
    1,394
    Part of the ' on track ' to me is the improvement in performance and entertainment value both of which had reached rock bottom under Smith, and especially, Wagner. A performance produced against Plymouth was never going to happen under Wagner and gives great hope that we are moving in the right direction. I also think that the Wilshere influence is coming through in the way we were able to withstand the press in midfield and up front - just the back 4 left Jack!!
     
    #211
    Canary Rob and Robbie BB like this.
  12. RiverEndRick

    RiverEndRick Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2011
    Messages:
    17,005
    Likes Received:
    8,849
    I think the movement is gradually positive but it is hit or miss so far. The 3 defeats against Cardiff, Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City prior to West Brom (1 goal for, 6 against) were dismal. Also, we did have Plymouth like wins last season (4-0 at Huddersfield and 5-0 against Rotherham). The expectation lowering campaign by Knapper and others, willingly supported by the compliant Pinkun reporters, tries to excuse or ignore the negative elements so far. Our away form has us ranked 12th this season, which is far from encouraging.

    I don't see football as 'entertainment'. - it's a competition. There are no points given for style, they have to be battled for and that is something too often missing from our performances, IMO. Some of that can be put down to younger players like Crnac, Schwartau and Crisene still adjusting to a new environment. The return of McLean helps, but it's taken the addition of the 29 year old Marcondes to inject new life and competitiveness into our midfield and attack and I suspect that JHT had to fight like hell to get Knapper to agree to sign him. Talking about success in 3 years is one thing; remaining competitive now is quite another.
     
    #212
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2024
  13. 1950canary

    1950canary Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2011
    Messages:
    2,623
    Likes Received:
    1,394
    We have always disagreed on whether football should be an entertainment or not but I can only speak for myself. Before I moved to Nice I had been going to Carrow Road for nearly 70 years through thick and thin and had always enjoyed it but if I had still been there last season I would have joined the many walking out at half-time and if Wagner had been kept on I would have let a friend use my season ticket this year. I now have a season ticket at Nice. On Thursday Nice played Rangers and were soundly beaten but the game was open with plenty of end to end football so I enjoyed it. Perhaps I am the odd man out but somebody has to be.
     
    #213
  14. Golden Eadie 2

    Golden Eadie 2 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2018
    Messages:
    2,970
    Likes Received:
    1,615
    Is Crnac the new Sargent? Not at ease or effective when played out wide but a much better and more effective contributor when played through the middle. His awareness and selfishness for our third goal a case in point. I would guess the vast majority of players on a hatrick in that situation would have taken the shot. He has really started living up to his price tag.
     
    #214
    Robbie BB likes this.
  15. Robbie BB

    Robbie BB Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2021
    Messages:
    2,282
    Likes Received:
    1,219
    Crnac post-match interview:



    If I hear him correctly, he says playing CF isn't his favourite role, but he does his best if asked to play there! Be interesting to hear more from him on that theme. What does HE think his best position is?
     
    #215
  16. 1950canary

    1950canary Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2011
    Messages:
    2,623
    Likes Received:
    1,394
    Interesting question to ponder. Who, if anybody, makes way for Sargent when he is fit?
     
    #216
  17. Bure budgie

    Bure budgie Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2015
    Messages:
    11,826
    Likes Received:
    3,406
    I was just thinking the same.
    Nice to have that problem though.
     
    #217
  18. Canary Rob

    Canary Rob Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2011
    Messages:
    11,742
    Likes Received:
    3,990
    I think it goes back to Crnac on the right with Sargent up front. Which means Forson goes to the bench.

    Gives us quite a bit of flexibility to go to a 4-4-2 from a 4-3-3.

    It’s a nice problem to have.
     
    #218
    carrowcanario likes this.
  19. Canary Spring

    Canary Spring Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2016
    Messages:
    3,708
    Likes Received:
    1,891
    If Crnac keeps playing this way at cf, the position is his, IMO, even when Sarge comes back. It will be good not to have rush Josh back into the lineup. Let them battle it out for the starting spot at cf.
     
    #219
  20. Canary Rob

    Canary Rob Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2011
    Messages:
    11,742
    Likes Received:
    3,990
    Switched on the Fiorentina v Inter match at a friend’s house this evening as there was nothing else on the TV and promptly saw the horrible looking collapse of Edoardo Bove on the live stream - unfortunately, the cameraman/crew clearly hadn’t immediately realised that the player had collapsed in a bad way and so focused/zoomed in on it assuming it was part of the action, which meant for some pretty unpleasant viewing.

    However, the players on both teams reacted brilliantly to surround him with a wall of bodies and provide privacy, then he was whisked off the pitch amazingly quickly. Hopefully he recovers quickly.

    EDIT: Fiorentina apparently released a statement a few minutes ago saying he is stable and no sign of damage to brain, heart or lungs
     
    #220

Share This Page