No fight from me either and I agree with both your posts above. I'm pleased that I gave up my ST last season and I've now got a shared one and I'm looking forward to going to quite a few games this season. Rick also makes a good point re JM's play and it usually meant the opposition's defence had plenty of time to regroup before the ball got into the box. I'll revisit this thread after we've been to Portaloo Road, as we have some quite tough in the opening few weeks!!!
Pre-season squads - First Team: Max Aarons, Emiliano Buendía, Todd Cantwell, Ben Godfrey, Grant Hanley, Onel Hernandez, James Husband, Timm Klose, Moritz Leitner, Jamal Lewis, Ben Marshall, Remi Matthews, Michael McGovern, Kenny McLean, Aston Oxborough, Felix Passlack, Ivo Pinto, Teemu Pukki, Sean Raggett, Jordan Rhodes, Dennis Srbeny, Marco Stiepermann, Louis Thompson, Tom Trybull, Yanic Wildschut, Christoph Zimmermann; Under-23s: Devonte Aransibia, Josh Cooley (trialist), Adam Idah, Ciaren Jones, Bilal Kamal, Russell Martin, Jon McCracken, Saul Milovanovic, Timi Odusina, Alfie Payne, Simon Power, Caleb Richards, Tom Scully, Anthony Spyrou, Jordan Thomas. Notable omissions from the First Team squad - Basil and Tettey - I can see Basil being sold and start scoring on a regular basis!!! PD's summary of the battle for places in Germany - http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/canaries-german-tour-key-battles-1-5607108 I have to say that I was quite disappointed on reading this, but I can see the logic, though Godfrey himself may feel it’s time to look for a new club. ‘Godfrey remains an interesting case study. This time last summer Farke deployed him at right back but his vulnerability was apparent. A storming season long loan stint as a holding midfielder at Shrewsbury underlined that feels his most natural position. But given the hot competition in this area of the squad such adaptability in a defensive three might tip the balance, as Farke and Stuart Webber weigh up another potential loan spell away.’ Better news here – ‘Kenny McLean was the pick of the new boys at Lincoln and again looked a goal threat against Crawley on Thursday. The Scot can really cement his place in Farke’s starting plans for the league campaign if he continues in that vein. And do not discount Todd Cantwell at this stage, who made his return after injury against Crawley.
Bit sad about Oliveira really. Means Pukki, Rhodes and Srbeny need to produce the goods. The initial signs are good, but they need to be knocking them in during pre-season if they're going to hit the ground running. Hernandez's form has been impressive and McLean seems to add a new dimension to our play, as do Marshall and Passlack. Another key will be Leitner's role as playmaker. It won't be the same as Madders, but he should get the ball forward more quickly (and lose it less frequently, as he's less like to be double teamed). Buendia is still in the wings, but could also add to our scoring. Godfrey's situation is a puzzle really. His versatility is a big advantage, but he deserves a chance at DM and with Tettey staying home, he should get it. Same for Thompson. Otherwise we have a very solid midfield and defence, which is important for a good start to the season. The final question is GK and whether DF thinks Matthews, McGovern and Oxborough are enough. Given PD's comments about Oxborough's good pre-season last year, I tend to think so. The German games should tell us a lot more.
Interesting article (and comments after) about the Webberlution: Phase Two: http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...-plan-for-recruitment-and-player-development/
Yes Rick - an interesting article, especially when you see its author is Robin Sainty!!! Seems to be quite a degree of optimism pre-season.
Jon McCracken is travelling as part of the U23 party, who is also a goalkeeper. That's 4 keepers to cover 2 squads, so it wouldn't surprise me if Oxborough is involved in U23 fixtures. He has a virus, hence not travelling. He might follow on later, but it's a short tour. I still think he has a role to play this season.
As DH says, he has a virus. The German tour (1week) is a good chance for Godfrey and Thompson to fight for a place. Tettey's experience is important with two young DMs behind him. Trybull is more of a hybrid DM/CM. Tettey staying therefore makes good sense to me. Oxborough will probably be our 3rd GK and therefore play with them and still be on standby for the first team, unless we sign another GK, in which case he'll probably go out on loan and McCracken will be the U23 keeper.
In the absence of Rhodes, Sheffield Wednesday brought their immense firepower to bear to thrash Lincoln City 1-0 last night.
As I said earlier FML - I agree with what you've said in your posts re JM and Josh leaving, but this comment from MFW sums up my views exactly - 'Perhaps the most striking development of this summer is the increase in competition for places. Maddison is a loss, of course, but apart from him and the two loanees (who may yet be replaced), Josh Murphy is the only real first XI candidate we’ve lost. On the other side of the scale, we’ve added or brought back eight or nine genuine contenders for starting places: Buendia, Marshall, Pukki, Rhodes, Passlack, McLean, Matthews, Godfrey, Thompson. And we may not be finished yet. The squad looks clearly stronger than a year ago.'
This is very much the way I see it. This has many advantages: squad rotation, coping with injuries or players losing form, tactical changes, competition for places and so on. I'd add Leitner and Cantwell to that list as well. Early days, but there are many positive signs already. Hopefully the German games will produce more.
please log in to view this image Subs: McGovern (GK), Rhodes, Pukki, Wildschut, Raggett, Godfrey, Passlack, Thompson, Cantwell, Aarons
Interesting line-up. Could also be a 4-2-3-1 with Stiepermann and Trybull behind Hernandez, Leitner and McLean with Srbeny up front.
Link to a live stream of the game https://sporttotal.tv/spiele/testevent-spiel-1-sc-paderborn-07-norwich-city-1-spieltag-
Paderborn look very threatening on the counter. Chance to digest ncfc formation now. Flat four. Srbeny flanked by Stiepermann and Hernandez further forward. Trybull sitting. McLean and Leitner either side. Looks like a 4-3-3
Good stream Woodbine. Thanks. Scoreline fairly reflects what I've seen. Paderborn much tighter in the press and getting much more of the ball. Second goal from the ball given away and our defence failed to react. They look a side well ahead in the pre-season while we're struggling to keep up. Hope for better in the second half.
