Only watching the TV pictures of both semi's and final, I picked up that we played the second half against Ipswich lining-up the 'Barcelona way' which I think we repeated against Middlesborough for the first 30 minutes. Anyone at the games confirm? From what I could see and understand from the commentators, Alex Neil changed the formation against Ipswich so that the midfield got more narrow (in particular Redmond) whilst both full backs were pushed right up, with the central defenders splitting to give support, whilst Tettey gave cover. I expected we might adopt the same tactic in the second half against Middlesbrough,but in fact we seemed to start that way taking them by surprise and giving us a massive advantage. Then we switched back to a more conventional defensive shape toward the end of the first half. All this was hard to know for sure on TV. Was that how it actually played out?
Yes, I'd pretty much agree with that and it seems to suit NR much better playing more centrally (where he plays for the England under 21s I believe!!). Yes, AN is a tactician in the PL (Paul Lambert) mode and we'll need that if we're to have more than 1 season back in the top flight!!!
I think it was the planning generally by AN that gave uis the edge on the day. He took the squad to Wembley to get them used to the stadium, in contrast apparently the Boro coach actually arrived a bit late and hampered their preparations. It may be a small thing but in a game of fractions, AN did his best to ensure that we took every possible advantage and that was all he could do. The first goal also just seemed to stun Boro and they never recovered. An all round fantastic club performance and the fans were superb (so were Boro's by the way)
Spot on Thurnby. I've NEVER seen NCFC start any game with such enthusiasm and so we concede an early goal!! How often did that happen last season - I can think of Wigan and Boro as examples.
That line-up sounds 3-5-2, which is certainly a departure from anything Boro would have been expecting. Great planning again.
It seemed to be to be a repeat of the Norwich v Boro game apart from we had a two goal early start. It got so that by about an hour I wasn't really nervous that they might score. They looked like a team who had run out of ideas. Bamford looked toothless and Vossen's best effort apart from the early woodwork rattler was a theatrical dive that got him booked. I thought we looked a different class. Bassong and Rusty had particularly good games I thought.
I would say we we're closer to Liverpool last season than Barcelona in terms of the way we played. Howson, Tettey and Johnson are a great Trio to have in the midfield as they compliment each others games really well. Johnson has definitely been pushed narrow since the Ipswich game which has stopped him getting into those scoring positions but also made our whole defence much stronger. Him and Olsson really did a number on Adomah.
Hooper never got any game time. Is this significant for the transfer window? He seems to have fallen behind in the strike department.
Hooper has had some good games playing behind a striker, particularly Grabban. Tbh I think he's actually a better footballer than I had given him credit for, always considered him more of a poacher. I hope he still has a part to play but could understand why he might feel leaving serves him best. The irritating thing is no doubt he'll go somewhere and get 20 goals.
His developed into a Number 10 style forward, I've been impressed with his technical ability and footballing intelligence his not a Wes exactly but he has skill and ideas.
Basically he is the old fashion inside forward, a bit like Charlie Bowyer, though less effective. ( I was a massive fan of Charlie, the oil that made Ted run.).
Yes, how easily to forget. I actually spelled it that way, then changed my mind. And I did not mean run as in travelling over the ground at faster than walking pace, rather as an engine runs/operates
