Norwich City vs Arsenal(away) Tuesday 24th October.

[morty]

I think we can get something from this. It won't be easy, but we really have this away game thing sorted out now, and I think theres more pressure on them, than there is us.

 

[hogesar]

7-0 Norwich.

 

[Canaryboy]

I'd actually rest players for this.

                       Gunn

Martin    Franke   Hanley   Husband

                 Reed   Vrancic*

Murphy       Cantwell       Naismith

                    Watkins

Because we've got 4 games in 11 days.

Or 5 in 13 days if you want to start from the Derby on Sunday. That's crazy congestion. To avoid fatigue and injuries I'd take a punt on playing the reserves, plus gives them all some match sharpness.

Just realised how thin we are in centre midfield though, could really do with another one in January (plus a new contract for Trybull).            

 

[Canaryboy]

On second thoughts, that could backfire with so many away tickets sold - but I still think I'd rest Pinto, Klose and Maddison at the very least. 

 

[dj161]

Is Watkins not still suspended for this game, thought he got a 3 game ban and this would be the final game?

I'd also be surprised if any of Josh, Martin and Naismith are ready to start

 

[Canaryboy]

Forgot about Watkin's suspension and didn't realise Naismith was out injured.

Martin started for the U23's last week though so should be ready? Apparently told fans at half-time against the scum that he was fit. 

 

[GJP]

Forgot about Watkin's suspension and didn't realise Naismith was out injured.

Yeah Naismith is out indefinitely with a problem called Not Good Enough. He is also suffering from a bad case of Past It which is thought to be linked to the amount of pointing and whinging he has done.

 

[Timm Klose's Boat Analogy]

Hanley is cup-tied, too.

 

[Din]

Yeah Martin is fine, Hanley obviously cup tied and Watkins suspended. Murphy not likely to start, Nelson and Zimmermann to have a late fitness tests and Naismith still out. 

Leaves us really short. Ideally we'd use cup games to rotate a little bit with such a congested fixture list. Think I'd go with:

Gunn
Pinto Martin Franke Husband
Reed Stiepermann
Wildschut Maddison Vrancic
Jerome​

Think I'd start with Jerome as that gives Nelson a few more days to recover and if need be and Jerome is too tired to start against Derby then Watkins is back from suspension and can come in. Would like to rest Maddison but can't imagine Hoolahan being fit enough to play after playing 80 minutes on Sunday. That said I'd be excited if Cantwell got an opportunity in that position. I'd give Trybull and Klose a rest, but it does mean that our centre back pairing does look very suspect. If Murphy is fit I'd bring him in and give Wildschut a rest.

I have a flatmate who supports Arsenal and will be watching this with him, so for me this has a little bit extra on it. I've already laid out the "there's no pressure on us", "I don't care after the Ipswich game" cards but the truth is I would truly love to rub this win in his face Just in general a win would be fantastic and boost our already high confidence. But in general as long as we give it our all, put in a good performance and don't get thrashed I'll be pretty content. I say 'give it our all' but that's a given with this Norwich side. COYY!

 

[GJP]

Whatever the team and even if we lose the key to this is not to lose momentum. And you can do that even in defeat.

AN lost momentum at a crucial time by pissing up the home cup tie to Man City.

 

[morty]

Strong side!

 

[dj161]

strong line up, looks like we're gonna give it a go

 

[OldRobert]

OTBC.

 

[dj161]

upset on the cards, Arsenal line up nothing special, not much on the bench, oh and Josh Murphy did this

 

[morty]

Good lord, what is happening to little old Norwich?

 

[GJP]

It's pricks like him that give referees a bad name. 

 

[Timm Klose's Boat Analogy]

Royally ****** off tonight after that refereeing performance but I'm sure tomorrow I'll be beaming because this Norwich City continue to do us all proud.

Now rest up and smash Derby on Saturday.

 

[Din]

Yeah frustrating night. Referee really did a job on us, and after all our fantastic defending throughout it's also disappointing that both goals were conceded from corners.

Despite all that though I'm immensely proud. We came to Arsenal and basically controlled them for 80 minutes, and had we not had a moron for a ref we would've comfortably won the game in 90 minutes. Can't fault anyone tonight and I thought Reed and Zimmermann in particular were outstanding. Nobody left anything on the pitch tonight and I hope all the players are aware that every Norwich City fan is proud of them. As said above, it's important now that we don't let this stall the momentum we had following the derby. A lot of players have played 2 hours football and will need to play 90 minutes on Saturday. So lets hope they can all recover quickly from the effort of this game and go again at the weekend. OTBC!

 

[Canaryboy]

I wonder whether we could convert Josh Murphy into a striker?

 

[Number 9]

Bottom line is, we had lots of chances and didn't take them.