I try to avoid words like 'undisputable' because absolutes are seldom achievable. DF did achieve a lot with Dortmund's young players. SW also had significant experience within Liverpool's youth program and between them they have improved our youth setup. Maddison speaks glowingly of DF as being instrumental in his development. For players to develop, they have to be willing to change and accept a different way of playing. Of those you name, Murphy and Godfrey are the only youth players on the list. You also mention Cantwell. Their development includes both coaching and the right loan to develop their skills strengths. I'd say all three of those benefited from SW/DF in some way, as did Maddison, though Murphy perhaps less so as he was already further along under AN. Perhaps he was less receptive to new ideas and ways of playing. That's not unusual after managerial changes. It may be significant that neither Murphy has kicked on at their new clubs. Godfrey and Cantwell both thrived out on loan and have come back as first team players. Of the older players you name (all of whom except Husband were here when DF arrived), I'd say most of them didn't fit DF's style of play. That happens. Husband and Franke are SW and DF's major misses in the transfer market, which is not bad from the 20 or so who have come in. The key thing to me is that DF does now have players who fit, both young and older and our play has improved with them. The key is to keep it that way for the whole season
I've just been looking at our fixtures until the end of next month (6) and with the exception of our game against Stoke, ALL the teams are above us in the table!! I'd be over the moon if we could garner 10 points or more!!
Those six will be a challenge and will tell us more about our chances this season. We thought Boro would be a test and we managed that. 10 points would be reasonable, given the less testing fixtures to follow. Four of the six are at home, though, so here's hoping. EDIT: Just looked at the table, and on the other hand, if we win tomorrow we could potentially be above all 5 of those teams, so the margin isn't that great. Wigan would be a great game to win.
I agree, the next 6 games are really going to tell us how far we have come and where we are going. With 4 of those games at home I think 10 should be the minimum we hope for, less tells us we are the midtable fodder we probably all expect, 10 or more and I think we can start feeling a little more optimistic. My chief worry is still that he doesn't seem to have a no Tettey plan. After last season, I was pretty amazed he risked playing him 3 times in a week given just how crucial he appears to our success still. |Like others, I don't quite understand why Thompson was played further up the pitch in the cup, when he seems the heir apparent for the DM role and; he, DF and the team would befefit more seeing him get game time there to ready him to step in for Tettey when needed. If Farke thinks still that Trybull can play that role inspite of all evidence thus far to the contrary then i think he is a fool. Bah!
Interesting article from Jon Punt in today's EDP, extolling the Zimmerman's role in our recent run - http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/jon-punt-norwich-city-fanzone-zimmermann-resurgence-1-5707987 'Step forward Christoph Zimmermann. Since his return to the side just one goal has been conceded, two clean sheets have been well earned and three welcome wins recorded.' If my memory serves me right, didn't he get at least one PotM last season after JM's run of 4 on the bounce??
I am sure stats will show our defence more secure when CZ plays, making it hard for GH to reclaim his defensive position. When Klose leaves, by next summer at the latest I suspect, could Zim and Hanley form our CD partnership? Can either play left is actually the question.
That's a good point about Tettey, GM. I'm hoping that Thompson playing WR is a temporary expedient to get his match fitness up after injury and cover for the absence of Marshall and McLean. I'd prefer that Thompson plays at DM tomorrow and Tettey comes back in again at Derby and they alternate after that. I can see playing Trybull for cup matches, but he's better alongside Tettey or Thompson. Zimmerman has been very solid since he came back in and deserves to keep his place.
One of my remaining concerns is that all of our CBs are right footed. Klose is comfortable playing on the left side, but it's far from ideal. Right footed CBs have a more difficult time clearing the ball as they have to play across their opponent to do so. I'd like to see that problem addressed before Klose leaves.
Quote from DF which is something I was saying last week- “We all know that we have to fight for each and every point. In the last league games we’ve played on the wings with an average age of 19-point-something, I think no other club in western Europe plays with such a young group in such competitive games."
Another good article analyzing the source of City's newfound strength in recent matches, this time by Robin Sainty. He analyses the change in Tettey's play, the transformation that Steipermann has wrought and then focuses on Leitner: "Midfield really is a major strength, despite the departure of James Maddison, and Moritz Leitner continues to blossom, although some fans still don’t “get” him. He’s physically slight, doesn’t score many goals and often appears unobtrusive. However, watch when a team-mate is in a tight spot and needs an “out” ball and you’ll see that it’s invariably Leitner who makes himself available. He’s always on the move and always wants the ball, but unlike a Maddison or a Wes Hoolahan, who liked to twist and turn. he simply keeps play flowing and is the fulcrum of City’s midfield; the oil that keeps everything running smoothly." DF's style of play requires this continuous flow and movement with the right players doing the right things - instinctively. This is what fans warmed to in the Boro match after getting over the shock of Rhodes being dropped (deep in the heart of many fans is a lingering desire for a return to a 4-4-2 formation). The new style is demanding though and requires consistent performances from all players week after week, which is Farke's challenge. http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/robin-sainty-column-ahead-of-norwich-v-wigan-1-5714760
Yet another away match in the EFL Cup: Bournemouth this time. Could have been worse but I would have been happier if we had been drawn at home in this round of last 16. Depends on how strong a side Eddie Howe puts out but this match is not beyond winning.
So having overcome the tricky Derby County hurdle, what are our prospects now? Paddy Davitt sums it up like this: "This being the Championship the curve could quite easily bend in the opposite direction. It did last season. But this feels like a different squad and perhaps a different head coach. Norwich may not have exerted the control of previous games on this run at Derby but they were no less confident and composed in what they are trying to do." The 8 game unbeaten run adds a little more confidence with each new achievement, which is all the more remarkable considering the present injuries. Add to this the 'togetherness' factor and the likelihood of staying in the promotion race seems more likely this time around. Gary Gowers adds: "Certainly, there was a maturity about this display that sets it apart from most of what occurred last season and, for those who have been crying out for a distinguishable style and method to emerge, it’s there for all to see – home and away, regardless of the opposition." There is a sense now that DF, the tactical approach and the players involved have come together in that maturity which suggests that this could be something more than just a good run of games. Stoke will be another test of this as we go back to the 'one game at a time' adage. http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...-the-big-stage-against-frankies-fancied-rams/
I believe that a large number on "fans" that invest various sites, Facebook included, have been put on suicide watch. They have had nothing to rant and complain about for several weeks now and are really stressing out.
Carrying on from my post above, David Freezer has some interesting comments on DF's role in the current run of games: "The hugs and high fives as Farke goes around at full-time of the latest positive Championship result suggest this is a happy but focused group. The German comes across as part of the modern breed; friendly with his players but there’s no doubting who’s in charge, with a philosophy for positive football and an undoubted desire for squad and supporter unity. To be fifth in the table and on an eight-match unbeaten run with a quarter of the campaign almost gone is well above the expectations of many who follow the Canaries – and much hard work lies ahead if that kind of position is to be maintained as we head into 2019." It makes the 'How long do we give him?' comments of a few weeks ago look very strange now. Setbacks will happen, but the cohesion and togetherness of this squad and the coaching team will hopefully carry on through the whole season. The other factor is the development of young players who have now added a new dimension and enthusiasm to the squad as a whole. http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...ng-he-s-more-pep-than-jose-for-ncfc-1-5724657
No problem JMF, as you say over there, it also makes for a good pre-match read. Besides, togetherness is the mood of the moment!
On the theme of togetherness, Klose's comments on Krul are interesting: "Only two keepers in the Championship have kept more than the four clean sheets the 30-year-old has managed so far this season, with a fifth snatched away late on during the midweek 1-1 draw at Derby. “Tim is a great guy,” City defender Klose said. “He’s experienced as well and you can see on the pitch that he tries to push us every time, we try to push him. We try to be the triangle at the back (along with Christoph Zimmermann) and he showed some great saves, he kept us in the game (at Derby) and that’s what you want as a defender in periods that are tough – that your goalkeeper is there in those important situations. That happened (on Wednesday) he was there always, he was awake and he saved two or three really good balls. And I think that’s what he needs, he’s getting there and I’m very happy for him because he’s a great guy and he deserves it.” http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/klose-thinks-krul-is-getting-back-to-his-best-for-ncfc-1-5725086
Up in Scotland Gary Holt is taking Livingston up the SPL Naismith leading goal scorer for Hearts. Lafferty scoring regularly for Rangers after leaving Hearts as their leading goal scorer last season. Mulumbu playing in Europe with Celtic. On the Scottish theme, what has happened to Russ Martin? Is Chris Martin still at Derby?
