I think it’s tough to play away for the first game of the season, Gary Monk has improved things at Birmingham despite having any standout players. Birmingham were keen to impress in front of a home crowd. DF sent out a sturdy team not so attacking to counter act this, hopefully we will see McLean and/or Leitner from the start in future matches
Yes it was Rhodes, #11, with the header from the middle of the six-yard line that went straight to the keeper. Srbeny was the one who broke up the middle and got the assist for Onel's second at the end of the game.
For us overseas supporters the ifollow stream was significantly better today. Included Radio Norfolk commentary (only previously available for home games); the sound and video were in sync; and replays for key moments. So assuming this continues, this service is now at a reasonable standard.
NCFC Numbers@ncfcnumbers Since Daniel Farke took over, Norwich City have scored six equalisers in the 88th minute or later (Fulham, Hull, Ipswich, Wolves, Sunderland, Birmingham) Before that we hadn’t scored one that late for nearly two-and-a-half years...
Got to say Rhodes should have slotted two there. That first chance in the first half was a clean header, let alone the one from six yards (although arguably the later one he has less choice as the keeper was on top of him). Defensive horror show for their first - weak at the corner and then just not clearing our lines, no excuses. Not sure what happened with the second but looked like it might have been a miscommunication between CB and LB? I think this is a disappointing result to be honest. We’re a better squad than Birmingham and we need to be winning matches like this where we have so much possession and more, better, chances. Some positives though and I know it is early days in a long, long season. I don’t totally blame Farke - both our goals from the H/L seem to have been well worked as a team (albeit Brum keeper had a shocker for the first goal), whereas we conceded with a scrappy corner and a simple ball over the top - but the buck stops with him. He’s not got much time.
Yes FML, it was Srbeny. Maybe we have a better player than we have realised from last season's efforts. An exciting attacking run.
Bit harsh to make such a judgement after just one game, away from home, with four (4) new players who've not played in this country / division before? Don't they get a game or two to bed in and gel? They do in my book. Having said that, I assume you were there and I wasn't, so you're more entitled to judge but very early days, don't forget.
He did that twice and the one for the assist was reminiscent of Holty as he knocked defenders aside and the made a perfect pass to Hernandez. More of that please Denis (the menace).
I was disappointed with the goals we conceded, but pleased with our attacking players overall. An away draw is ok and the double fightback was encouraging. A draw was a fair result.
Slightly more worrying was the fact that we had 79% possession, but had exactly the same shots/shots on target as they did.
In fairness, we seemed to have made the better chances. It was luck for them that the attempted clearance fell to a winger playing in a deeper role (as Pukki was for us), who then scored with a rasping shot off the underside of the bar. Hanley looked a bit rusty after missing most of the pre-season and it was his error that led to the second goal. He was still rated one of our highest players on WhoScored at 7.0. Good match analysis here: http://www.thefootballab.co.uk/2018/birmingham-city-2-2-norwich-city-six-things-fair-result/
No I wasn’t there either - I am only looking at the highlights and the reports, I was tracking/listening though. Of course the team, and Farke get some time. The result could have been much worse! And there do seem to have been a number of positives. However, I still think when you look at our chances and their goals, a Brum team that has had a tough summer, this is a slight opportunity missed (though not a disaster) and therefore counts as a disappointment to me. That might sound negative but frankly this league is brutal and you really have to make dominant performances against weaker teams count. No disaster, but a hell of a lot to work on
I felt it was a strange starting 11, but thankfully DF seems to have learnt, that he needs to make subs earlier if they are to have an impact and boy, did Leitner/McLean do just that!!!!! I'd be VERY surprised if we see the same 11 starting against WBA and I'm hoping that we won't see Husband too frequently. It seems Hanley had one of those games best forgotten as well.