The Forgotten Men

[Jimmy smith]

Perhaps these will save our season?

Ryan Bennett

Vadis Odjija Ofoe

Gary Hooper

Javier Garrido

Now the names above, if you looked at them a year ago, they all rolled off the tongue as pretty steady top flight operators. Now none of them can get a game in the championship due to injury/ fitness/ loss of form etc. Perhaps these 4 up and running and playing to potential could be just what is needed?

Garrido slots in at LB with Olsson going to left mid, when he got his run of games when Olsson was out, he was good for us and we actually won a few games. Olsson at left mid would give us pace, a great cross and even a better goal threat whilst having the added bonus of two decent defenders down that flank. It's not like there's a goal threat there we'd be sacrificing anyway!

Hooper slots in next to Jerome, the countless sitters we've recently missed will turn into goals.

Vadis slots in next to Howson or Tettey in a solid 2 man midfield with Jerome offering support. If we've got the better technical players, we shouldn't need to overcompensate with 3 midfielders every game.

Bennett gets his rightful place next to Turner that it's clear Martin, Cuellar, Hooiveld and anyone else who's been tried there isn't capable of. Bennett isn't Usain Bolt but compared to the latter two aforementioned centre backs he might as well be. He's also a monster in the air and an experienced pro at this level in particular.

Do you honestly think Bennett would have let that collapse at Forest happen or that cheap Forest goal at Boro happen?

 

[morty]

Add in Elliot Bennet, the Murphys and Hoolahan back from injury, and that certainly gives us options.

Would be interesting to see if Bassong could be tempted back into the fold too.

 

[Suffolk Canary]

I certainly think the main 11 at the end of the season will be very different to the current preferred 11.    

The quicker we have Ryan Bennett back the better. Not convinced on Hooiveld at all, and can only assume Miquel isn't good enough if he can't even make the bench

 

[Yellow Fever]

Agree with the first sentence. In fairness, Hooiveld did make a brilliant tackle in a similar situation to save a goal some time back, so I'm not inclined to write him off for one mistake. Cuellar moved to the bench at Miquel's expense, so I wouldn't assume that he isn't good enough, just that at 21 he's still young for a CB.

 

[Fiery Jack]

Wouldn't say Garrido was particularly good during his run in the side. I think his performances are remembered better than they actually were (happens when players are left out for a while). Olsson isn't performing in his usual role at LB so moving him to left mid could be a stroke of genius or a complete disaster, can we afford to find out? Is there any other better option?

I would've made sure Bennett (another player that's improved in peoples minds in his absence!) came back from his loan and played him and Redmond on the wings.

Agree R.Bennett needs to come in at CB as soon as, move Martin to RB and keep him there though think Whittaker has taken some unfair criticism recently. Hooper must start Saturday, even if he is playing to sell himself in January, and Vadis I have no idea about yet!

 

[GJP]

Ryan Bennett isn't that good. I mean he'll be ok at this level but he's never done anything in his Norwich career to suggest he's going to be much special. Not sure how much of an improvement he'll be on Hooiveld or the others. Might be slightly better but I don't think it'll drastically improve our form.

Would rather have Bassong (and Turner).

 

[Fiery Jack]

Ryan Bennett isn't that good. I mean he'll be ok at this level but he's never done anything in his Norwich career to suggest he's going to be much special. Not sure how much of an improvement he'll be on Hooiveld or the others. Might be slightly better but I don't think it'll drastically improve our form.

Would rather have Bassong (and Turner).

You haven't been watching him closely enough if you don't think he's ever done anything to suggest he's going to be a special player. Good in the air and on the ball, can pick a pass and doesn't panic. He's what we need at CB.

 

[Salopian]

"Forgotten" is not perhaps a good term - Bennett and Wes have been missed rather than forgotten. The same could apply to Vidas, who looked briefly very useful, but injuries have dragged him down.

It would be great if the three I mentioned, plus McNeill, got back to fitness quickly and remain fit. It could change our entire season!

 

[Salopian]

I meant O'Neill, of course, but of celtish extraction anyway!

 

[splutcho]

On Ryan Bennett, yes he can pick a pass, they're just usually to the opposition's CM.  Average centre backs that think they're really good on the ball are a dangerous breed.

 

[Jimmy smith]

On Ryan Bennett, yes he can pick a pass, they're just usually to the opposition's CM.  Average centre backs that think they're really good on the ball are a dangerous breed.

At least he doesn't have the turning circle of the QE2!

 

[Fiery Jack]

On Ryan Bennett, yes he can pick a pass, they're just usually to the opposition's CM.  Average centre backs that think they're really good on the ball are a dangerous breed.

Good job he's not average then

 

[ZLF]

To be honest I dont think those 4 can make up for the fundamental problems that the current formations and tactics have introduced.    

The back 4 will improve with leadership,  greater defensive focus and organisation;  historically the turner bennett partnership has struggled for pace and partnership;  although they may be better a league down unless all 4 defenders step up and work as a unit adding ryan to the mix wont solve the fundamental problems.   And defence is our biggest problem.

In midfield we are undoubtedly better with wes' creativity - that he has more assists and goals per game (just looking at the prem) than the options highlights this;   but the real problem is the lacking defencive cover - apart from Tettey the rest are ineffective at defending this season,  regularly losing runners - thats primarily down to the manager not instilling  a balanced attack / defend mentality.   Howsons ball watching for the second goal last week has been repeated by others and him too often.     Going forward is less of a problem;  although we desperatly need an alternative to lafferty wide left - and no bj does not count. 

Up front Grabban is talented but off form;   Jerome has scored consistently (9 in 15 appearances is impressive in any league) and he offers so much more as a player than hooper - and given his early season nonchalance who knows if he can save our season;   last week was the first sign of enthusiasm - lets hope he keeps it. 

 

[splutcho]

Good job he's not average then

He is. Painfully so. Not once has he done anything in a Norwich shirt to suggest otherwise.

 

[Yellowfuture]

He is. Painfully so. Not once has he done anything in a Norwich shirt to suggest otherwise.

What a ridiculous thing to say.

 

[splutcho]

Not at all. When has Ryan Bennett proved to not be average? Is it his constant runs to the halfway line and giving the ball away? His insistence on backing off and allowing strikers to shoot?

 

[splutcho]

He's an alright Championship centre back, nothing more.

 

[Yellowfuture]

Not at all. When has Ryan Bennett proved to not be average? Is it his constant runs to the halfway line and giving the ball away? His insistence on backing off and allowing strikers to shoot?

Premier league performances against Reading, Villa, West Brom come to mind.

He is 24, that is very young for a centre back, has still much to learn and his progress has been hampered by injury, to dismiss him as you do is a bit silly.

 

[Din]

To be fair Bennett was very impressive when he came off the bench against Blackburn at half time when Garrido got injured earlier on in the season. And although inconsistant he has had some very good games in the past couple of seasons. I think at this level he could prove to be a great centre back.

 

[Boyerboy]

He's an alright Championship centre back, nothing more.

I profoundly disagree and feel he is much more. But, surely an average championship centre back would be a good thing right now?