Match Day Thread Norwich City v Stoke City, Sat 29th Oct ko 1500 hrs

Having kicked off the season at Cardiff, never expected to make such a quick return after only 17 games.

Smiffy needs to inspire a reaction from the squad.

Anything other than a convincing win will create a really bad atmosphere at Carrow Rd.

More content to follow

 

Team news and views from the presser:

"Sam (McCallum) will train after playing the full 90. Ben Gibson should train, Sam Byram will train," Smith said. "We're nursing Sarge's calf so we'll see how he is as well. Kieran Dowell is fit and well now."

Smith also addressed the recent run of results which have seen City slip from second in the table to seventh ahead of this weekend's fixtures. Without a win since beating Blackpool at the beginning of October, he hopes that this weekend will be the start of a turn in fortune.

"Results guide the mood of the place, our results haven't been where they should be. A penalty either way against Sheffield United and Burnley, two of the toughest away games you can face, could have been four points instead of one point," Smith added. If you don't feel pressure as a manager, I don't think you're doing the right job. You have to feel it, that's the job we're in. That's natural for any manager and any role I've had. I understand the frustrations. I'm frustrated, we want to be playing great football and creating 15/16 chances every game but the reality is we're not doing that at the moment. The players are on board. We have to move forward as a football club, learning to win, learning to play the right way, and we certainly will."

https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/team-news-gibson-byram-and-dowell-return-to-training

 

Another performance like this please

 

Well, except that it was Gunn conceding our four goals. We also made several kamikaze mistakes that could have conceded more than their single goal, which was the result of one. In spite of the odd mistakes this season we're better defensively now, especially when defending set pieces.

 

Watching these old games is bitter-sweet. Lovely memories, but such a contrast with the pedestrian football we are coming out with now. What has happened to Cantwell and Aarons, and even Pukki?

Some things stay the same, though - stupid defensive errors gifting the opposition goals. I disagree with Rick on this one. I feel we may as well go gung-ho because we're going to screw up anyway, whether we go for all-out attack or try to be more defensively sound. Recent games have been proof of this.

 

IMO, these "Lovely memories" are a selective remembrance of things past. The errors in those highlights were horrendous in a single match. This was masked by the four goals this match, but there were many matches where avoidable mistakes cost us points. That season we were hammered at home by Leeds when we were stuttering. We recovered from that by beating them at Elland Road later when we were going well and full of confidence. The ups and downs of a season.

We've just had four straight matches against Watford, Luton, Sheffield United and Burnley, all but Luton away from home. Last season we lost to Watford and Burnley in the first half and then beat them in the second. Yes we need to turn things around now, starting tomorrow, then QPR on Wednesday.The pressure is on both Smith and the players and they need to respond to turn things around.

 

E M I B U E N D I A

 

Prior to this game we had gone 4 games without scoring (3 league 1 cup) which coincided with Buendia being banned - this was his first game back from suspension.

 

It's true that Emi was a vital part of our success in the Championship, but that's also a reminder of his lack of discipline which cost us points. It's also true that we've never made up for his loss in spite of spending over £60m since he left, though Sargent has filled his position with 8 goals this season and some good defensive work as well.

 

On way to the match. Got my daughter with me who hasn't been to a game for 3 years but suddenly asked if there was a possibility of going to this one. She's never seen us lose and I've got my lucky pants on! What could possibly go wrong??

 

Let's hope the team and your pants get through the 90 minutes without being tarnished

 

Tomkinson played well last game, immediately dropped

 

That has to be a double whammy for poor old Stoke!

 

I’m guessing 4-2-3-1
Gunn
Byram Hanley Gibson McCallum
Gibbs Hayden
Hernandez Dowell Ramsey
Pukki

Gibbs and Hayden in a double pivot. Dowell and Ramsey could switch

 

Who else is injured other than Sargent and Omobamidele?

 

Are we all buckled in for another bumpy ride?

 

Difficult to muster up any excitement after 12 months of utter ****

 

I think you're right, but it may look more like this:

Gunn
Byram Hanley Gibson McCallum
Gibbs Hayden
Dowell Ramsey Hernandez
Pukki

Hernandez deserves a start after his recent sub appearances, but it may also be Smith seeing a tactical advantage. Let's hope it works.

 

In agreement - 100%