Looking back at some of the games weâve drawn (especially Spurs and now Villa), do you feel that our failure to win those games has been more a result of inspired goalkeeping/dogged defending as opposed to poor finishing by the Norwich City players?? Personally, I think itâs been more a result of inspired goalkeeping (though some of the finishing could have been better), but Iâm sure others will disagree. Iâm off out to watch some friends compete in the âmucky racesâ, but will check back later in the day!!! PS â I loved Hansenâs comments when he said that we should have had a penalty and Herd should have been sent off!!!
Bit of both, plus good/bad luck as well. Truth is, there are some excellent keepers in this league and strikers have to be that bit quicker of foot and thought, and more clinical, to outwit them. We have had a lot of shots and headers on target but straight at the keeper. To avoid that you have to be more precise and that decreases the margins of error. Guzan's first "big" save against Hoolahan yesterday was good technique but also required a lot of luck, a stud's width between saving and conceding. On the other hand, Holty should have scored when put through towards the end. Snodgrass hasn't yet come to terms with the speed of the league IMO; he needs to accept he will have to use whichever foot the ball comes to in the area, rather than try and get it onto his left foot all the time. What bad luck also that Russ Martin was injured. He would probably have put away the chance at the end which fell to Ryan Bennett. I did feel that the occasion got to the players a bit; we needed clearer heads and more control e.g. on the crosses. Still happy with 4 points from the last 6 though.
Anyone seen anything about the injury to Russ? Sounds as though Whittaker is fit again, could be just in time.
You saying about Snodgrass Robbie, I noticed that he actually did use his right foot on 2 or 3 occasions to cross yesterday. Although they weren't that great atleast its an issue that's been started on in training and hopefully will improve as the season progresses.
Yeah, I've noticed he's starting to use his right foot for a few games now. They're not great balls but they create better chances than if he used his left foot instead, therefore allowing the defender more time. But I'm sure the quality of his right foot will improve with practice.
I really meant in the box with a chance, with defenders around him. Wes is another in those circumstances. But yes, you can see Snoddy is working on it. I must say I like him as a player.
a few points about yesterday. i wish someone would stop wes taking quick free kicks, the villa defence was superb in the last thirty minutes, especially herd, who should not have been there after his tackle on wes, and the passing in the first half was diabolical. lastly, i thought CH waited too long to take jonno of. villa down to ten men so no need for two defensive midfielders.
Brad Friedel wad awesome vs us but yesterday it was just terrible finishing (e. xcept Wessies volley). Shame cus we should have battered them and played really well 2nd half, but hey ho, we didnt lose.
Guzan played a great game I think if it wasn't for him it would easily be about 4-1 to us. I do think we could be a bit sharper at times also we played a lot better in the second half when we started to play the ball about, but there was a time where we kept on going wide and wiping in the crosses, I know Holt and Morison are big guys but they looked sharper with it on the deck. If you think about though Lambert knows most of our players better then Hughton so when you look at it that was a very difficult game for us and we done exceptionally well! I just want to see us bury more of our chances but as pointed out by JR we've come across some stubborn keepers who have been having the game of their lives! One of these days they will have an off day against us!
Guzan was absolutely outstanding yesterday, possibly the best technical performance I've ever seen from a gk. Hoolahan and Holt are no strangers to finding the net, and couldn't have done anything else. If you watch the Holt 1on1, Guzan's positioning was perfection. He already had a strong starting position and then waited until holt knocked the ball ahead before charging him down. He dived in at his feet in such a manner that there was litterally no goal to aim at. Inspired. As you can tell, I'm a fan.
Some interesting replies and I like when a cross is whipped in hard and low across the box, just waiting for someone to tap it home. I'm certainly feeling more positive than I was after the Liverpool game. Bring on Stoke!!!!
Personally I think Guzan did very well with both of Hoolahan's chances but Holt should of buried his one on one. His positioning is certainly very good, which will always give the keeper a headstart on one on one's.
