A very ordinary start by Norwich who sit in 17th place with only four points and a few places below us. Norwich have kept the bulk of their squad with only big names like Godfrey going to Everton and Lewis going to Newcastle. They have signed a Polish winger Placheta for 2.5m and Hugill for a similar amount from West Ham. I know nothing of Placheta but Hugill was signed by west Ham for ten million but featured in only three games before being loaned out to Middlesbrough and Q.P.R. He did well at Q.P.R scoring fifteen times in forty one games. He is still to make a regular start for Norwich as they favour a 4.2.3.1 formation with Pukki the lone striker. A very interesting loan signing is Oliver Skipp from Tottenham. Highly rated defensive midfield player who is a good passer of the ball. He is only nineteen but big things are expected of him.
The championship this season is providing very few goals. Forty eight games played have only yielded ninety eight goals. Compare this to the premier league which has had only thirty eight games but yielded one hundred and forty one goals. Norwich are struggling to find the net and have only found the net three times with two of those coming against P.N.E.. It is early days for Norwich and it looks like they could be in a false position. However, they only managed twenty one points in the premier and it could be their confidence is not high. I expect a low scoring tight game with a 1-1 draw being my fancy. Let us hope that it is not the start of Norwich coming good. With players like Pukki, Hernandeez, Skipp, Cantwell, Dowell, Hugill, Placheta etc they have players with the talent to inflict damage. Not just this week thank you.
More concerned how we approach the game. Don't think defence will much different, would like Olosunde on the bench to cover both full back positions. Should imagine we'll go with 2 wingers, 2 up front. Then would mean we need some cover in midfield.
It is an incredibly tough challenge. Financially it is David against Goliath. They have a lot of very good players. How do we nullify them without just chasing the ball for ninety minutes, and how do we pose a threat of our own at the same time? Easier said than done. Personally I would set up with Shaun MacDonald and Barlaser in central midfield and one in front of them - probably Wiles - supporting a front man. Two wide players also joining in. A point would be a good point if we could get one.
That's pretty much what I had in mind as well Whiston, perhaps with Miller on the left in place of Sadlier, but the new player is unlikely to be match fit so the wide players are all likely to have a part to play whether they start or not.
Harding Ihiekwe A. McDonald Mattock
Barlaser
Jozefron Sadlier Miller
Smith Hirst
I have gone with an attacking 4 1 3 2
It was a hard decision to put wiles on the bench but it was a toss up literally with sadlier plus playing wiles on the wing makes us narrow.
We have wingers so lets use them as Brecks has said bombing down the touch line and pushing their fullbacks backwards and getting crosses into the box for Smith and Hirst to attack and asking their defence questions
S MacDonald hasn't put a foot wrong, but we bought Barlaser for a reason, and he gives us more attacking options.
Crooks performance to date to me doesn't warrant a start or a place on the bench.
The Bench
Johansson Lindsey S Macdonald Ladapo Vassell Wiles Olosonde
Harding Ihiekwe A. McDonald Mattock Barlaser Jozefron Sadlier Miller Smith Hirst I have gone with an attacking 4 1 3 2
It was a hard decision to put wiles on the bench but it was a toss up literally with sadlier plus playing wiles on the wing makes us narrow. We have wingers so lets use them as Brecks has said bombing down the touch line and pushing their fullbacks backwards and getting crosses into the box for Smith and Hirst to attack and asking their defence questions S MacDonald hasn't put a foot wrong, but we bought Barlaser for a reason, and he gives us more attacking options.
Crooks performance to date to me doesn't warrant a start or a place on the bench.
The Bench Johansson Lindsey S Macdonald Ladapo Vassell Wiles Olosonde
Know people doubt me but Hillsborough his side only one midfield player. No. Blackman; Olosunde Ihiekwe A McDonald Mattock; Flo Lindsay Barlaser Sadlier; Hirst Ladapo. Miller 1st change up front
My fear is that we could play 442 against a team like Norwich and end up with two strikers up the pitch who wouldnt be involved because we would only have about 20% possession. On paper it is a more attacking formation but in reality you can do less attacking with it. You cant attack if you havent got the football. I think we have to have some numbers in midfield to stay in the game.
-- Edited by smiler on Saturday 17th of October 2020 12:10:38 AM
-- Edited by smiler on Saturday 17th of October 2020 12:11:18 AM
One up at half time. Whether we go on to win it, lose it or draw it you've got to be proud of what we are doing and how we are going about things going toe to toe with a very good side.
Best performance, despite defeat, I've seen for many seasons. As I've said many times we have no luck. I hope players can realise we are easily good enough to compete in this league. Barlaser is awesome and all played well... UTM
Barlaser was different class. Most played well but this Flo not for me lack of height won't work unless you have extra ability to compensate for that. Warney he'd * about for two transfer windows trying to justify getting rid of Lamy but he's failed. Not that impressed with Miller either. Rest of side I can't knock.
