That is the key, really. As I said on another thread, the difference was that Newcastle did tighten up in the second half and we didn't. We had 56% of possession, 18 shots to their 11 and matched their 6 shots on target (all of theirs went in!). Leicester showed our vulnerability to counter-attacks and Newcastle took full advantage.
Norwich manager Alex Neil has big problems after seeing his side fail to win in their last four league games, dropping them to 16th in the table. Having conceded six goals against Newcastle, they now have the worst defensive record in the division and have not kept a clean sheet in any of their nine league games. The ease with which Newcastle scored some of their goals will be the biggest worry, with the men in black and white afforded time and space to pick their spot.
West Brom game is looking big next week. Didn't see that result coming at all. Hopefully Mulumbu will be back in contention at least, by the sounds of it our central midfielders could use the competition.
Our hardest games (City, Chelsea etc.) are yet to come so WBA would be a massive three points if we could get them.
So embarrassing, the first full game I've seen since coming back here. Woeful everything really, I'm sure more technically knowledgeable posters can put a better view on it than me but that was dire. Like most of the Canary world have been saying for the last year, if you don't have two decent CBs your F*******, just like we were today. Relegation fodder now unless the board invest serious money, which they won't .
While they share the blame, I don't think that the CBs were the main problem. AN's tactical approach involves the FBs pushing forward to support the attacking midfielders and create overloads. That worked fine for our first goal, but the weakness is that we need 5 players to get back to defend in two ranks of 4 when the ball is lost and that's where we failed against both Leicester and Newcastle. AN may have had a good reason for replacing Tettey with Wes when the score was 3-2, but the CB's were fatally exposed without a DM to break up attacks, as AN admitted after the match: "There was one decision made in the game, when I took Alex Tettey off, that didn't have the effect it should have had. It made us more vulnerable at the back. When you concede that many goals it's hard to take positives, but offensively we looked a threat." That's rather an understatement, as Newcastle scored twice in the first 4 minutes after Tettey went off and the game was over. I presume that Dorrans was meant to take over Tettey's role in supporting the CBs against counter-attacks, but if that was the plan it didn't work. Neither did finally replacing Dorrans with O'Neil, as we conceded within a minute of his coming on. AN has some serious thinking to do, but at least we have Mulumbu coming back to offer another option at the key DM pivot role. Pulis will certainly be looking to exploit this weakness next week.
I'm not sure the problem in January would be completely a lack of willing to spend, I think it could be the thought of players not wanting to join a club in very real danger of relegation. I think it played a part in the lack of recruitment in the summer, aiming too high perhaps. But it won't get easier to get an upgrade with, "Your PL wages will be this, but in the unlikely event of relegation we would have to drop them by this!". especially if they also think look how bad their defense is, I don't want my reputation mullered with them! I still think a lot of the problem lies with how we are set up. First Leicester and now Newcastle have really found out our system. Time for AN to earn his corn to make us tougher to score against. Whittaker is a Joke, Ruddy is at best out of form at worst not the same keeper of 3 odd years ago pre-injury. The other 3 have some quality, but will continue to suffer with the system and some of the others around them. I love that AN wants to attack the opposition who ever they are, but we don't want to end up another entertaining failure like Oli's Blackpool! Bah!
Finally! Great post RER. Don't let go of this one. The most ludicrous part of this match is that you know we dominated in virtually every single stat? Possession, shots, passing, tackles, clearances. Just seen the Squawka match assessment. I don't think you'll see a closer 6-2 thrashing according to the stats. The only parts they were superior? Shot accuracy, goals scored and goals conceded. This was a ridiculous game, especially with their six shots on target all going in. Naive is the only answer.
Naive is a bit harsh, Rob. Certainly AN is on a steep learning curve in the PL, but I like his emphasis on attack and Mbokani is looking the part. He just needs to get the FBs and midfielders more disciplined about getting back to defend when the ball is lost. Mulumbu could be a key player in that regard.
I thought you guys werent too bad, obviously second half we tightened up and made it difficult but I dont know where either of your full backs were. Everytime you attacked your wide men made room for the wing backs to come up (olsen did well) but as soon as we got the ball and broke there were only two at the back. I do think you made it easy for us and you were unlucky, hitting the post twice. Perhaps if you let us have Redmond in January, we will give you three points in the return leg! He is class, still young, but his not just fast and tricky, he has a delivery and final product. Good luck for the season.
Funny how two people watching the same game can have such differing views. Whilst I know Redmond is fast, tricky and has more than that about him, before he scored and after too, his passing was truly abysmal and he gave the ball away far to easily. But how about we keep him and take the 3 points! that definitely sounds better! Bah!
Compared to Dorrens, Howson and Brady didnt really look dangerous, perhaps excluding Bradys hit off the post. I think Redmond looked dangerous throughout, you do need a decent striker, Mbokani looks okay but im not sure he will score double digits.
Redmond did give the ball away, but that's because in the absence of Wes there was nobody else to try and create chances.
But it wasn't attempts to create, it was his basics, link up play that was poor. I thought brady was far better. Redmond started the season on fire but I'm not sure we're seeing that same level now. Bah!
Start of the season, carried on from the play offs...I thought Redmond had come of age! He's still raw. it is a good thing, (but not for us at the moment) He reminds me a Sterling. He runs at players, no fear. He wants to take them all on. Sometimes he will take on 3-4 defenders. But sometimes....That's not what we need! Also at times we need a decent pass or cross....that doesn't come often. Redmond is amazing, I love him. I thought he had matured. But the last few games shows he hasn't. He is still a raw talent. So, I will always want him to start. but atm, his decisions are way off,when he takes FK, they are bad choices.really bad. every time
I'd like to see Wisdom start the next game, nothing against Whittaker, but Wisdom is younger and has more pace and the couple of times he played for us I thought we looked better at the back. Also R.Bennett, I feel he's a good defender but we aren't helping him to progress, just holding him back. But I'm thinking if Newcastle can put 6 passed us, then I'm ****ting bricks what a team like Manchester City will do to us.
Let's get West Brom sorted first, Mulder, but I know what you mean. This will be a big test of AN for sure.
The toon match was just one of those games that happen from time to time, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I will always remember the time when you lost i think the first game of the season 8 - 0 and all the doom and gloom merchants gathered slating the manager and team and you ended up getting promoted These games happen but it's not the end of the world. You are a bit like us...We play far better against the stronger teams at the top than we do with the bottom sides, so put the toon game down as a bad day at the office and get behind the manager and players in your next game......you will be fine....
