Brady ....looking value for money...

[Dubai Mark]

What a great all round team performance yesterday and Redmond's ongoing improvement as discused in another thread a real bonus. I also just wanted to mentiin Brady, who even though playing not in his preferred position,  looked a class act, good footballer, great feet and all effort.....I can see why Brucie was getting annoyed with our early bids!

 

[GJP]

Bad news for our reigning POTS.

 

[splutcho]

Yeah I thought he looked pretty good. Once he gets his eye in from set pieces we'll be laughing. He can get caught a little bit defensively, but as mentioned, it's not actually his position.

 

[Din]

I thought he was impressive against Palace, but he was even better yesterday. Really looking forward to Olsson coming back and seeing what Brady can do further forward.

 

[morty]

I thought he was impressive against Palace, but he was even better yesterday. Really looking forward to Olsson coming back and seeing what Brady can do further forward.

That throws up the debate of who you leave out of midfield though.

Howson?

 

[splutcho]

I would not leave Howson out. He's one of my first names on the team sheet.

 

[Beauseant]

Howson, Dorrans, Wes and Brady looked like they'd been playing together for years yesterday. There's going to be real competition when Olsson and Mulumbu get fit. VOO and O'Neil have parts to play too. We really are strong in midfield this time.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

If Brady continues to do well at left-back, might he keep Olsson out? (Simply because it means noone has to be left out from midfield?)

 

[morty]

I would not leave Howson out. He's one of my first names on the team sheet.

Someones gotta go it we play Olsson at LB and Brady on the left though.

No I wouldn't like to leave Howson out either. Or Dorrans, or Hoolahan, as long as he continues present form.

Could it be Hoolahan though, with Howson taking his role?

 

[KeiranShikari]

I didn't think Brady was great at left back against Palace and yesterday he didn't really have any defensive work to do. Pretty sure it'll be Olsson's position again pretty much asap.

 

[Boyerboy]

Sadly but tellingly, this conversation does not even mention Bradley much less Vadis. I think that is right. Truth to tell, Bradley has not regained his mojo since his suspension.  Against Ipswich and especially at Wembley he was subdued. I think it will be a hard climb back to a regular place for him.............

and we haven't even mentioned Mulumbu yet

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

What a nice situation to find ourselves in at this point though

 

[morty]

It will be an interesting challenge for the manager, he will need all his tactical nous this season, and he certainly has options now.

Though i find it difficult to see past the 4-4-1-1 we have been playing.

 

[Din]

That throws up the debate of who you leave out of midfield though.

Howson?

Good point, hadn't thought about that  At this moment in time I wouldn't change our midfield at all.

 

[morty]

Good point, hadn't thought about that  At this moment in time I wouldn't change our midfield at all.

Me neither, but when we have to, we will really see what Alex Neil is made of. And we don't want to be too predictable, and easy for other teams to work out.

 

[Canaryboy]

I'm looking forward to Olsson returning as our left back and Brady competing for a place on the wing personally. Even if that means one of Redmond or Brady sitting on the bench.

When we took Redmond off we were playing very narrow / trying to play through the middle, when Sunderland had a liability at left back and a player who looked hungover playing at right back (he probably was). I guess that's natural when you have 5 centre mids on the pitch. 

I couldn't help but think that if we'd been able to bring a winger on for Redmond we could have grabbed another goal or two. 

 

[hogesar]

Howson won't be dropped unless he has a couple of poor games between now and Olssons return.

Same goes for the rest of our midfield, though. It's difficult, Bradley Johnson is one of my favourite NCFC players, last season epitomized that. But so far this season we've had the majority of possession and he ain't gonna be as good at that ball retention than the likes of Howson , Hoolahan, Dorrans and tettey. Saying that, with Mulumbu also to come back, I think you'll find we have fantastic options during a game, something we lacked under Hughton; due to both his own reluctancy and a fairly limited squad depth.

But we can either start on the front foot, get a goal and then introduce the likes of Mulumbu and Johnson to close a game out. Or we can start with them, and introduce the likes of Hoolahan, Dorrans, Brady to make is more attacking.

Great midfield options this season...

 

[Indy_Bones]

Interesting to note that in his post match interview, AN admitted that he's been somewhat disappointed with BJ so far this season and that unless his form and performances pick up, he's likely to be spending more time on the bench.

Will be good to see BJ's response to this in order to fight for his place back and should only be good for the team overall.

 

[eatonparkboy]

Full back is probably the most important outfield position in the ever changing style of football. It is an attacking position that cannot really be marked. Coming from a wee bit deeper means the important first five yards belong to the full back as he steams past a rival.

On Saturday, this was perfectly illustrated by both our full backs on numerous occasions. If we can maintain this form and attitude and as bad as Sunderland were, the extra pace both men provided as they surged forward gave the man on the ball an extra option and the pace we moved the ball about (proving that we can do it at a higher level and not just in play off finals) and the danger of Brady's crosses, gived us great hope of milking some points while the weather is at its kindest.

And the great movement of Jerome up front is a perfect foil. I think we either have to wrap him in cotton wool or look for a clone as a new striker.

As an aside, I am fed up hearing how great supporters are in the North East and how they live for football. The sight of a virtually empty stadium after an hour proves that it is a myth. Norwich supporters might be moaners and groaners but I very much doubt we will ever see that happen at Carrow Road. 

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Full back is probably the most important outfield position in the ever changing style of football

When I was growing up full-backs were often considered an unimportant position and where you got shoved if you werent necessarily the fastest or biggest. Bit like when the kid who cant kick the ball very well gets shoved in goal.

Football has changed to the point that the important contribution these roles have are almost recognised on a par with the strikers. How the game has changed!

A great fullback can give you an extra attacker wihtout leaving your defence exposed (ie to be great they also get back when needed) which can make all the difference. Gone are the days when attacking is for the attackers and defenders only defend