Idah's player rating: "Took his goal calmly and precisely, after being gifted the chance by Sykes’s industry. Led the line pretty well too, making thankless ball stick and bringing others into play. Rating: 8." Duffy, playing beside Omobamidele, got a 5.
Rowe picked up an injury some weeks back and the club has been managing it through games to keep him playing. The international break gives him a chance to rest it and hopefully be available for the QPR game, as Suffolk says. Hopefully Sainz will get more playing time if Rowe is not able to play.
"Sargent put the Canaries ahead in the 24th minute with his 13th goal in 18 league games, his 10th in 14 league matches since returning Dec. 29 from an ankle injury that sidelined him for four months. He was substituted in the 82nd minute. "Josh, his ankle is sore. He got another knock and a little bit of a twist," Norwich manager David Wagner said." Could be a blessing in disguise as Josh has two weeks to recover before Plymouth. Far worse might have happened in USA training and matches.
Update on Sargent: “Obviously Josh still has an ice pack on his ankle. He got another kick or a twist and it's quite sore,” said Wagner, speaking on Saturday night. “We have to, for sure, assess him. We assess his ankle more or less every weekend and then we have to try to put a plan together for how we can get him ready to play the following weekend. Since he has been back with us, he did not have one week of full team training. This is a big issue, a big problem. He is a super fit guy in general, his whole body shape is top, and this is why he can tolerate it. But we have to come to a solution where we can continue to invest until the end of the season. But first and foremost we must assess him from this game.”
Tettey's knees spring to mind, hopefully we can keep him goin until the off season and then a long rest will help!
Hanley withdraws from the Scotland squad. Interesting to read Wagner’s comments that Hanley is on a tailored programme because he’s not back to his “explosive best” and that Hanley is the best central defender in the division when he’s fully fit!
What Wagner actually said: “He is a very physical centre half. If he is physically on his best then he is one of the best, or the best, in the division. We have to make sure, and he feels the same, to get him back to that level."
I’ve said it a few times, Hanley has not looked sharp at all since he came back, it was a long lay off and he may never get back to his best. For me, he’s behind Duffy in our team and potentially Lungi for his on the ball ability
I think as we all age it also takes longer to recover, so he might get it back but he needs more time (which is not on his side). If we don’t get promoted, though, I think we will keep playing him next season to the end of his contract.
Looking at the goals it seems Gunn was not to blame: a worldie from distance, two close range headers and a final blasted shot where he had no chance.
I read a post-match report which said "the starting XI were absolutely solid and played the Netherlands off the park up until 70 minutes". And then you tell me Kenny was only on for the last few minutes! Maybe he'll get to start against Northern Ireland.
