That reeked of two things to me; your classic midweek game and a game that neither side wanted to lose. Sloppy and lacklustre from both sides, lack of attacking intent with Norwich happy to play solidly and defensively away from home, and us not kicking on with attacking substitutions and trying to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Both sides settled for the draw by about the 70th minute for me. One of Gaston's games where it doesn't quite come off, was bright as per usual and had a few good attacking runs etc., but Norwich stood firm and he came unstuck when it came down to playing the final ball. Lallana and Puncheon were good if not quite at their free-flowing best from QPR and Newcastle, would have liked to see them interchanging a bit more again. We weren't quite on the right wavelength when it came to crosses from open-play, or on the right wavelength at all for that matter. Rickie won almost everything and grabbed a slightly fortuitous goal but he deserved it for his efforts. Full-backs were both outstanding although positionally were off a few times, but they recovered almost every time, Shaw probably lucky not to give away a penalty, he got a lot of ball but a lot of man coming in from behind and it was a touch clumsy. And once again at times it seemed like we were scared to shoot or just looking to do too much and pass it into the net, Puncheon can usually be relied on to have a dig but even he passed up a few opportunities, and Gaston has a fantastic goalscoring ability but didn't take some opportunities to wrap his foot around a few and then decided to take an effort from 35 yards! I understand Nigel's reasoning in not making substitutions, we have got a good formula at the moment and we were still threatening throughout most of the game apart from a couple of 10 minute spells where Norwich had most of the ball, but we just lacked an edge about us, things were a little bit sloppy and it just seemed like we weren't quite at the right tempo. An earlier introduction of Mayuka, Rodriguez or even Steven Davis could have livened us up and all three have proved they can make a difference in the past, but Nigel just didn't seem to want to or was afraid to tamper with a winning team, or to really get at Norwich and possibly open ourselves up. And Gazzaniga... I feel for the guy. He's got a lot of talent but it's getting to the point now where it's hard to defend him, he has made far, far too many big mistakes in games and we can't afford to keep giving him experience and nurturing him at the expense of points. But it's still up to Nigel to decide if Boruc or Kelvin would actually be any improvement, but from an outsiders view it is hard to justify him remaining in the team.
I don't think Adkins rates Boruc at all...why isn't he on the bench? I'm sure Gazza will play on Saturday. If it was a soft goal, remember GK errors are magnified compared with strikers' failures. We had plenty of time to score again. Norwich are on a good run, so not that easy to beat. We will have to start getting a few wins though, especially as Reading have a game in hand on us. But still backing us to go up the table soon.
The fact is yeah Gazza may not be ready to be first choice,but Davis and Boruc aren't any better. It's looking increasingly likely that we need a new keeper in Jan.
Fair reflection. I just think the goal just before half time deflated us. I know Adkins will be up for our Anfield challenge and I tip us to get something there, here's hoping...
Crikey are any of you listening to Solent? "Adkins has never made a good signing" "Adkins has only made 1 good signing (Ramirez)" "Adkins is letting the fans down" "Gazzaniga has to go" "Bring back 'King Kelv'" Someone saying Kelvin is a top keeper and we'd be in the top half with him. I can't even....
Having watched the second half I have to agree that we did look tired. At the same time that is not an excuse as we could have freshened things up as the second half progressed. Lets also not forget that Norwich have beaten both Man Utd and Arsenal.
Agreed. Ramirez the only one seemingly trying to drive and force some openings. We were second to get onto his little creative passes. Hope Luke is alright.
Adkins said on Sunday that Ramirez is not full recovered from his injury...presumably he means he is several weeks behind the match readiness of the rest of the team.
Boruc played two games and didn't completely balls it up for any of the goals. He isn't on the bench because Davis is the club captain. If he is to play again for us it should be the next game, although I don't really care who Adkins chooses as I am sure he knows what's best. If your Boruc and you are seeing the ball fumbled into the net like that you are going to be annoyed if you aren't selected.
Interesting Adkins did not back Gazzaniga, I suppose he needs time to reflect but I do wonder who will be in goal against Liverpool. Plenty of positives from tonight and I think we are only a couple of points behind where we need to be, let's do a Norwich and keep picking up points.
Came racing off the line for the one at West Ham, and just watched it sail in - a maybe a defender should have been there. But, can say the same for the QPR goal.
How are the mighty fallen. Davis was our hero last year, but had a bad start this season and is suddenly regarded as totally useless.
Norwich are now a well drilled team and very hard to break down, going forward they do not offer much though. A draw was a fair result as we lacked that final touch to get through
He is still good at reaction saves but sadly his age makes him a second slow when diving. Adkins doesn't like Boruc and Gazza makes a few mistakes.
Adkins is our manager and will pick the one he thinks is best, so will drop SKD if he isn't good enough. Fair enough, but I think it's a shame that people mock Kelvin. He did his best for us in the last few seasons and now his age and the quality of opposition have caught him out.
I did not mock him it's more fact, soon as the ball gets hit in the corners it's in. I'm grateful for him for what he has done, but it is time to move on. As I posted earlier it is looking likely we need a new keeper in jan.
We were tired. Nothing really happened. Could have had few complaints if we lost. Good result in the circumstances. Still backing Gazza. Bring on Anfield. Welcome back Clatts.
