Norwich City vs Derby(Home) Saturday 29th December.

[morty]

Obviously Leitner is out so assume Vrancic continues. Biggest worry would be if Jamal Lewis makes it, with no cover there really (other than Stieperman) we may be forced into a tactical change and go 3 at the back, which would be a real shame, as we seem very comfortable in our regular system.

I wonder if McClean is ready for a start?

 

[Number 9]

This game may well suit us better as Derby are unlikely to kick us off the grass or park the bus, they'll be on the front foot I should imagine.

 

[Number 9]

Everyone's out injured

 

[morty]

Wow, not good at all.

 

[morty]

 

[morty]

 

[OldRobert]

Not good. Presume some of this stems back to the Blackburn cloggers.

 

[Canaryboy]

Some muppet started a Leitner out for 3 or 4 months rumour, so I'll take that.

I'd go for either Pinto or Passlack, based on what we've seen from Ben Marshall at full back.... probably leaning towards Pinto to be honest. In fairness we could probably do with his pace versus Wilson and Mount, they caused us some problems last time (in the second half at least).

 

[OldRobert]

I know we have been doing exceptionally well of late, but, 7 goals conceded in the last 2 home games is completely unacceptable. Reminds me of Manc 2 etc. yet it wasn't teams anything like them. Very disappointed to go down like that. Sorry but who the hell would want promotion with a defence anything like that

 

[GJP]

Sorry but who the hell would want promotion with a defence anything like that

I'd rather let in 3, 4, 5 goals to Liverpool or Man City than Forest or Derby.

 

[Canaryboy]

I think Farke needs to go back to the drawing board a little bit to be honest..... I mean Kevin Keegan style football is exciting, but I'd quite like to see if the experience of Hanley can settle us at the back, or possibly even try and a midfield base of Tettey and Trybull again.

Despite the injury crisis there are things we can tweak. Another option is to start Rhodes, stick Pukki behind him and have Stiepermann as a left wing back for a few weeks until Jamal Lewis is fit.

 

[Canaryboy]

I know we have been doing exceptionally well of late, but, 7 goals conceded in the last 2 home games is completely unacceptable. Reminds me of Manc 2 etc. yet it wasn't teams anything like them. Very disappointed to go down like that. Sorry but who the hell would want promotion with a defence anything like that

The problem with not getting promoted is that we lose a few of the current squad..... probably Aarons, Klose and Pukki, so its not going to be any easier for us next season.

And you'd think the Sky money could buy us a couple of defenders....

 

[OldRobert]

I'd rather let in 3, 4, 5 goals to Liverpool or Man City than Forest or Derby.

Trouble is to Liverpool or Man City it's likely to be 7 or 8 and I for one don't want to go back to that.

 

[GJP]

Trouble is to Liverpool or Man City it's likely to be 7 or 8 and I for one don't want to go back to that.

What's the point then?

For me it's about going up against the best.

Even when Suarez ripped us to shreds I enjoyed it from a football point of view because we were watching an exceptional, world class footballer. As good as you'll ever see in the flesh at CR.

 

[Number 9]

I think Farke needs to go back to the drawing board a little bit to be honest..... I mean Kevin Keegan style football is exciting, but I'd quite like to see if the experience of Hanley can settle us at the back, or possibly even try and a midfield base of Tettey and Trybull again.

Despite the injury crisis there are things we can tweak. Another option is to start Rhodes, stick Pukki behind him and have Stiepermann as a left wing back for a few weeks until Jamal Lewis is fit.

They'd have watched Derby and tried to figure out the best team / formation to win the game, at 2 up in the first half it was looking like a rout.
We need to be professional in our play to see out games.
It was bad when the ball was being played sideways and back extensively, it seemed to take too long to attack.
Now a balance is needed between being streetwise, killing the game versus all out attack for 90 mins.
I'm sure Farke et all will get there, they seem to learn and adjust as games get played.

 

[OldRobert]

What's the point then?

For me it's about going up against the best.

Even when Suarez ripped us to shreds I enjoyed it from a football point of view because we were watching an exceptional, world class footballer. As good as you'll ever see in the flesh at CR.

If we were to get promoted, I want us to be able to compete, not grovel about at the bottom all season, being ripped to shreds week in week out, because we have no lucre and are on a self supporting plan. I see no fun in falling straight through the trapdoor with our players confidence at nil point. That, for me is totally pointless, but it is only my opinion.

 

[Fenway Frank]

Thing is Bob, you’re basing that on our current squad. If or when we get promoted I would expect 3 or 4 players to come in which would make us better ( I hope )

 

[OldRobert]

Thing is Bob, you’re basing that on our current squad. If or when we get promoted I would expect 3 or 4 players to come in which would make us better ( I hope )

We all hope that FF, but I fear that 3 or 4 players wouldn't be anywhere near enough. We wouln't have the money even with Sky, we've never been able to compete with other promoted clubs, Wolves, Bournemouth, Soton, Fulham, Swansea, Watford the list is endless................why, because we don't have a stinking rich owner/major shareholder. Our Board want us to be self sufficient. By the time you've taken the PL wages for your 3 or 4 new players plus all the others you'll need, the deficit will be unsustainable under DS's plan. PL paupers with a vengeance. If that's what the support want..........fine. Not my cup of tea. Anyone who is under the illusion that the PL is the best, where is Suarez today, where is Neymar, Ronaldo and all the rest? Not bloody well here that's for sure. Spain or Italy that's where. Boring old PL where you know who will win it already, out of 5 or 6 every season. No thanks.

 

[Canaryboy]

If we were to get promoted, I want us to be able to compete, not grovel about at the bottom all season, being ripped to shreds week in week out, because we have no lucre and are on a self supporting plan. I see no fun in falling straight through the trapdoor with our players confidence at nil point. That, for me is totally pointless, but it is only my opinion.

Bournemouth did alright going up with a limited budget, and Lambert lead us to 12th with a bunch of players who had never played in the Premier League.

Have to perhaps consider that getting to the Premier League probably gives us the best chance of attracting some billionaire from the far east if that's what you think the solution is.... debatable though.

The club has currently got debts which it wouldn't feasibly be able to repay without getting a promotion or remaining a selling club. Personally I'd take a promotion over selling off the silver again this summer, even if it does transpire that we're nowhere good enough for the league above.

I can't see us having a better opportunity than this season, don't you think Galatasary becomes a lot more attractive to Pukki in the summer if we fail to go up?

Farke is downplaying our chances to try and relieve a bit of pressure publicly, probably wise considering our current injury problems and presumably being told there isn't much cash to play with in January unless we can miraculously shift Oliviera and Pinto.... but behind the scenes I'm sure everybody at the club knows that promotion this season is really important. Do you think Farke sees next season as an option? His contract expires in the summer for a start.

I want the dirty Sky money next season even if it means finishing 20th.... it gives us money to balance the books, invest a bit at Colney and hopefully buy a few decent young players. The alternative I'm afraid is flogging a couple of our best young players again in the summer and not being able to afford to keep our best centre back.