The one which comes to mind is Boro at home when we came from 1-4 down to draw 4-4 via a rare goal from Adam Drury in the dying moments.
Ramsay's first goal relieved some of the pressure in the first half and we began to play better but the substitutions in the second half were the key. Sara replacing Dowell in the 56th minute created problems for Stoke, as did Cantwell and Núñez coming on just before Ramsay's second goal in the 70th minute. Smith does use substitutions far more effectively than Farke did and it certainly made the difference yesterday. It was brave of him to make so many changes to the starting lineup when under so much pressure, but that could be a big benefit when we play QPR on Wednesday. Part of the first half struggle yesterday was down to the change to a two man midfield with Gibbs and Hayden, but they improved as the game went on and the 4-2-3-1 enabled Ramsey to come in behind Pukki and put in a MotM performance (8.4 on WhoScored).
Cantwell looks like he getting back to his old self. Brilliant pass which led to Sara’s goal. I was hoping he would score as it’s been, what, nearly 2 years since he last hit the back of the net? Here’s hoping the team can now kick on to beating QPR on Wednesday.
Todd looked good when he came on. Byram looked out of place, Max in on Wednesday for me. Hayden for me is our biggest concern, does not look fit and I will be happy to have the Mayor start. Josh to return at c/f with Teemu and Argos behind him. I really can't see us losing to QPR, but we are Norwich, so don't hold your breath
Although it could be argued that his substitutions often merely correct the mistakes he made in his starting line-up. I'm only putting that forward as a tentative idea, not arguing it strongly, before everyone jumps on me.
Maybe going 2-0 up and then doing their spuds against Sheffield United convinced Smith to squeeze the enjoyment out of the first half hoping the 3 technical players brought on may turn the game ? Stoke's inability to put away their chances was a bigger factor in my humble opinion
Not sure if we watched the same game. I though Byram was excellent. Not much going forward, but he can actually defend and doesn't always pass backwards. He is 100% better in the air as well. Hayden does look a little slow, but he will get fitter with time and he doesn't get caught out of position anywhere near as much as Mclean does. We limited Stoke to very few shots with Hayden and Gibbs in front of the defence and then threw the game changers on when it counted. Not the prettiest style, but boy it was effective!
Not jumping, Gozo, but Smith started Cantwell, Núñez and Sara at Burnley and the performance was heavily criticized. At home against Stoke, he changed to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 with a double pivot and Ramsey behind Pukki. IMO, that was right for the match, though it took some time for the players to adjust to it. In spite of that, in the first half we produced 6 shots, 2 on target and a goal compared to Stoke's 7/1. Gibbs provided the excellent long through ball to Pukki which led to his shot and Ramsey's goal. Either Sara or Núñez might have produced a similar pass to Pukki, but Ramsey wouldn't have been on the pitch to put away the keeper's parry or his second goal later on from Pukki's excellent backheel pass. As for Dunc's assertion about Stoke's chances compared to ours, I suggest a viewing of Stoke's chosen highlights below: https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2022/october/30/extended-highlights-norwich-city/
Their main chance, the missed header, was well covered by Gunn. He was perfectly placed to save any attempt on target.
Yes, I thought the same. There was also a chance when Gunn was pulled out of position, but Gibson was perfectly placed to block the shot. Hayden's shot which bounced off the keeper was a better chance, but he put it too central.
Not sure if their goal was the fault of Gibson. His foot contacted the cross but not sure if it deflected enough to present an easier chance.
Again he was well positioned, but couldn't stretch to stop the cross. Where was the rest of the defence though? WhoScored rated Gibson 7.1. Gibbs was even better on 7.2, his best rating so far.
I think it's multiple errors, Gibson, Byram, Cantwell, McCallum, Nunez all contributed. Nunez makes a pass to Cantwell which is intercepted, and rather than track back with any urgency, Nunez continues his run in the wrong direction then comes to a halt. Cantwell does track back, picking up the eventual goalscorer and staying with him all the way into the Norwich box. Cantwell has tracked the scorer (far left Stoke player) into the box, but then leaps in to help win the ball back, leaving Byram with two players at the back post. I'm not sure whether to blame Cantwell for trying to gain a numerical advantage and win the ball back, or Sara/Nunez for not being back quick enough to help. McCallum is guilty of ball-watching - at the moment the screenshot is taken he's had a moment to look around and choose a position, but doesn't spot the free player wide and stands in front of Hanley instead. Ball goes wide and I don't think either CB are in a bad position here, but Byram should have picked up the scorer. Cantwell has drifted into no-man's land rather than look at 2/9 on the edge of the box - a cut-back to them would have been just as dangerous. Nunez having given the ball away and been fresh onto the pitch, should be back to pick up the scorer by now. He stands still in the middle of the pitch then trots back, making a late dash towards the goalscorer when it's already too late. Sara was 15 yards further forward than Nunez when the ball was lost and has recovered more than Nunez. So I'm not sure Gibson's desperate lunge at the ball not being enough is really to blame, the lack of workrate from 2/3 relatively fresh midfielders, and a lack of awareness by tired full-backs, are probably more to blame.
Great breakdown of that passage of play DH. I was at the match and I haven't watched anything back but I remember at the time saying to the person next to me when Stoke scored, that it came from Nunez's poor pass to Cantwell. I also recall him being slow to makes ammends for it by tracking back. Having said that, I think it was the only error he made in his second half appearance. Hopefully a bit of spark returning for him. We will see on Wednesday.
Yes, great breakdown DH. I remember Nunez losing the ball and not responding. He then had plenty of time to get back to help but didn't until it was too late. I'm sure Smith will have something to say about that.
