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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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