So there's the inevitable murmurings after we go on a bit of a slide that we've been "found out", like You-Know-Who last year, and even that we'll be "found out" next year when we no longer have surprise factor. This has been done to death, I know, but I think there's a couple of things to say- Lambert has mixed both the team list and formation so much this year that I'm not convinced we've put out the same team twice this year (probably have, but it hasn't happened more than a few times!) Plenty of managers have commented how they have no idea what team we will be playing before a match and I certainly couldn't say with any certainty what our squad will be Sunday- I think this highlights the point. We can't be "found out" simply because there's nothing to find- we don't have one style of play. Several teams our better than ours overall and will beat us inevitably, but that doesn't mean we're being found out- it just means they have a better team. Even with Swansea, everyone has "found out" how they play, but that's not to say any team can go there and automatically counter it. So even "finding out" isn't the answer. Anyway, Paul Merson gives his prediction that Newcastle will beat Norwich 3-2. I rate him much higher than Lawrenson on the bbc and he always has a much more interesting analysis of the teams here's what he says: "Newcastle have done great to get to where they are, but they aren't having as much luck as they were at the start of the season. They were 1-1 in the 93rd minute at Arsenal with the ball by the corner flag, but they still managed to lose the game. They shouldn't feel too hard-done-by, though, because they've had a great season. I definitely had them down for the bottom half, so they've exceeded my expectations. I fancy them to beat a Norwich side that were second best against Wigan last week, but got away with a draw. It was a shock to see them on the back foot in that game. I wouldn't say teams are sussing them out; they're a flowing football side, but they're a team that looks tired. They have to play to their maximum every week to win games and if they slip below their standard they could lose to anybody. But I've watched them at Old Trafford and at Anfield they've had a go wherever they've gone. Fair play to them for that. I wonder if their eyes were opened by Ian Holloway and Blackpool last year? So they will have a go at Newcastle; Norwich are in a position where the players will want to play some good football. They'll go and express themselves. But Newcastle should be good enough to pick them off and I'm expecting a very entertaining game." I think Merson has hit the nail on the head there. I know people will say "oh, well they're pro's and should be able to manage 90 mins once a week". Bu I don't think that's the case. None of our players have played consistently at this level before. Not only are they physically tired (though perhaps no more than any other team), I think they're probably psychologically tired too. It must be incredibly knackering constantly learning (and they have fast) and constantly motivating themselves to maximum levels just to get a result (which is probably the most impressive part of Lambert's work, despite his obvious tactical genius). I don't think we've seen the best already this season, and I'm sure we'll get a few more points (I think we may well have got enough to avoid relegation if we don't get a point from now on...), but I think any more moments of creativity (like Hoolahan's goal) should be celebrated not only for themselves, but also because this is a team that, after playing most of a season far above the level they've played before, should really be devoid of ideas. All this stands us in great stead for next season. I really can't see us getting "second season syndrome". A couple of new faces and the players will be rested, used to the level and ready for the season, knowing how to get through the 38 match slog. Though we've proved Prem experience isn't the be-all and end-all, I can see us reaping the rewards of it next season. I'm not predicting big things, necessarily, but I can't see us being much lower next season than we are now. Sorry it's a ramble! OTBC
We did look tired last weekend which was a bit odd as they'd been away in Spain for a few days, but obviously the exertions of the season are beginning to show and no wonder as we have been playing out of our skins each week and the constant nagging injuries (Ayala, Tierney, Ward, Vaughan, Zak) haven't helped. I expect Lambert to change the team this weekend and for Rusty and Morison to return and for Howson to play in the hole behind Morison.
We haven't been found out, because Lambert seems to pick his team using a randomly generated formula every game! Next person who says we'll get found out or even the dreaded 'second season syndrome' and I scream! And oldcanariesfan can you justify dropping Hoolahan after last game?
Hi Dangerous I thought Hoolers looked ok in parts last week - took the goal well and made the odd telling pass or two but did his usual mazy runs from touchline to toiuchline to gain "zero yardage" (to use an American Football term) and ran himself to trouble from time to time. I didn't think it was his best game for us by a long chalk. I reckon Howson will give us something different and add a bit more directness.
I reckon we could go with morison up front on his own and then a middle 3 of hoolahan, howson and fox. I also expect naughton to play left back on sunday purely to cope with Ben Arfa cutting in on the right as i'm sure they can't play obertan after his (lack of) performance against arsenal.
Lazy journelism i think, they would never say such a thing about "cream in my pants with how good they are swansea"! How on earth can we be found out the only thing that has been found out is how unpredictable our side and formation is every week. Swansea will be in big trouble if they dont get a "plan b" next season cause we turned up and showed how it can be done. with us, teams will still not know who or what they will be facing. BUT as i have said before, we will need more quality adding in the summer if were to stay up next season. I believe we are tired and it is showing but to be fare, we have given it our all and were nearly over the finish line.
Got to say from what I've seen of you guys this year I can see similarities with our season last year and look where we are in the table now. Every promoted team has a difficult spell at some point in the season, think this is yours and you'll bounce back stronger when the next win arrives probably against Wolves next weekend.
I'm not sure how Merson can say that Norwich have been sussed. Since about the only consistent thing Lambert does is make three subs in the second half.
Not sure Merson is saying we've been "sussed", just that we are looking "tired". I agree with Rob about maybe being pyschologically tired. In any profession, when you move up to the next level there is a steep learning curve, and it can be mentally draining. We are not the only side in the premiership who can change tactics during a match. When it does happen, our lads have to be able to read and adapt to those changes, and fast. The players have had to be that much sharper, make decisions that little bit quicker than when they were in the championship. That they have been able to so is a credit to the team and management.
Completely agree with almost everything Bob said. I came on here straight after the Wigan game and said how tired we looked from competing at a new, higher level for almost a season. I just hope Wolves are so broken next week that we can beat them and then we can all enjoy the last eight matches of the season. It's been a wonderful three years for all of us and, like many of you, I am optimistic about next season (no second year syndrome) as long as we hang on to Lambert.
