I'm not saying I would, but would it be a good idea to start Wes against Villa? I'd assume he'd be pumped up to play against them and it's be the perfect place for him to show he is still committed to Norwich. Obviously it could go horribly wrong and he plays a stinker. We're unlikely to find out I guess, just wondered what you guys think.
I would always play Wes full stop. At the moment I would play him in the hole behind Hooper but like you, Colk, I can't see it happening.
No. Definitely not. Performances have been improving ever since we got our centre midfield of Tettey/Fer/BJ in place and if one of them loses a bit of form or fitness then we now have Howson to come back in. I would have Wes on the bench to come on if we require a bit of guile against tiring legs.
Like what yarco said. I have to say given the other bench options on Sunday and CH's seeming reticense to use Wes I was bloomin surprised to see him brought on. Especially as I'm not sure there's another person on the planet who would of done so in the given situation(Anyone not think that was strange?). I guess he most jhave had a blinder of a weeks training? Bah!
I'd have him on the bench too. The midfield trio in recent games have been pretty good, and I think a big part of that is the fact they're all prepared to do their defensive duties, as well as get forwards. Hoolahan would upset that, making Fer/Tettey/Johnson more wary of getting forwards. Villa have quiet a physical midfield too, which doesn't favour Wes either. As an impact sub though if we're chasing the game, fair enough. Bigger question for me would be whether Howson returns. Did anyone see his hour in the reserves?
Yes, DH, if Howson is considered match-fit and judged to have the same form as before his injury, he'd be ahead of Wes in my opinion. As others have said though, they'd both be on the subs bench right now with the current good, balanced team performances & in particular the way our midfield is playing.
If it ain't broke............same starting X1 for me too with the exception of Hooper for RVW maybe. I would like Wes on the bench for maybe an inspirational cameo if we are drawing or one down with say 20 or so to go but hopefully he would not be required.
If Howson were considered match-fit and judged to have the same form as before his injury he'd be the first name on my team sheet by an absolute mile. No coincidence our form dropped off the second he got injured. Get him back in at the earliest possible opportunity, I say.
He'd be on the bench for me too. I would also rather see Howson given minutes than Hoolahan because he fits the dynamic of our current midfield. A few people are saying drop RvW for Hooper. I personally wouldn't, i think it would benefit the team and RvW's confidence to give him the nod. Hooper can stretch teams more as a sub in comparison to RvW, if things are not going our way
Totally agree about RVW I thought he had his best game for us on Sunday and he's obviously done something in training the past few weeks to have impressed Hoots enough to give him the nod. I think he needs a run of games and as soon as he finds the net I reckon he'll score a few more. I was critical of him a few weeks back which I accept was hasty and ill-thought out, his movement and work-rate impressed me against Spurs and I think it would be wrong to leave him out on Saturday.
I still think our best and most balanced midfield 3 is Fer playing box-to-box, Tettey holding and Howson attacking. which Johnson the balanced tips a lot towards defending and against teams like man city and Tottenham thats good but moving forwards we need our best team on the pitch. Harsh yes but could well make the difference this season.
The team is starting to pick itself again as recent displays have been much better so a toss up between RVW or HOOPER the rest of the team looks evenly balanced ,having Hooper as an impact sub would be more frightening for Lambert than Wolfswinkel and would give him a confidence boost . So pretty much same again please Chris..... <We don`t usually replicate the same form away but here`s hoping>
Doesn't matter for me as I think Howson is still much better. Had we had Howson all season I think we'd be at least three or four points better off; he is a game changer, Johnson isn't.
