Lessons for Neil?

[eatonparkboy]

I'm afraid the talk of formations puzzles me. Most of us have agreed that we have probably the best squad in the division. We have the right to be confident of beating each and every team in this division. And the only reason we won't is because of dropping off of form of one or two at the same time and poor decision making on the pitch during a game.

Why isn't 4-4-2 popular any more? If you have two or even three top class finishers, and it appears we have, why wouldn't you want to play them at the same time. Why wouldn't you consider two of Grabban, Jerome and now a fitter Hooper occupying two striking positions? Why would a confident side like us worry about the opposition so much that we have to tinker with our midfield? Whichever way you look at it, Lamberts diamond was still 4-4-2.

Forget about next season, let's win this one first and that might mean abandoning Wes or Johnson or Howson because the team gels better and gets the right results with different personnel. There has been mention of no left sided player. How about Ollson? I believe he is a more than capable left sided midfield player, in this division, and would allow a 4-4-2 formation. And I don't think Garrido would weaken the left back position, again, in this division.

I also believe that the Premier League with its mass of foreign players, all coached far differently in their youth, may well be the place where managers tinker with systems and formations. But I believe that the Championship is a far simpler league and a team like Norwich should be going out to win every game and imposing themselves on inferior players.

It may well explain the reason for our poor first half showings because we over complicate and changes at half time and a commitment to getting the ball forward with support in the second half reflects the real Norwich.

 

[Yellow Fever]

I can see your point, EPB, but Grabban, Jerome and Lafferty are all comfortable playing widish in a 4-2-3-1 or potentially in a 4-3-3. Hooper is more comfortable in the centre, but could be flanked by any of the others when he is match fit. For now. I'd stick with Jerome flanked by Grabban and either Redmond or Lafferty with Wes in the hole (please not wide left again). Hopefully, we'll be seeing Howson and Odjidja-Ofoe also pushing for that role when they are match fit.

 

[GazzaTCC]

As I've said before, a formation is nothing more than a framework, a guidance if you like, for players.

Just because you line up in the same formation as, say, Barcelona, doesn't mean you'll play like them, it's down to the players at the end of the day.

But, clearly, I you put square pegs in round holes, you're likely to get different results than playing players in their natural positions.

We shouldn't fear anyone in this division, but it's a fine line between confidence and arrogance.

 

[eatonparkboy]

As I've said before, a formation is nothing more than a framework, a guidance if you like, for players.

Just because you line up in the same formation as, say, Barcelona, doesn't mean you'll play like them, it's down to the players at the end of the day.

But, clearly, I you put square pegs in round holes, you're likely to get different results than playing players in their natural positions.

We shouldn't fear anyone in this division, but it's a fine line between confidence and arrogance.

And confidence has clearly been lacking at Carrow Road for the last two seasons. Just as much for the supporters as well.

 

[Warren Hill]

But that's not true is it?

I haven't looked at the actual stats but we were pretty good at home in 12/13 and 13/14.

He's gone, get over it.

 

[Warren Hill]

12/13

p19 w8 d7 l4 f25 a20

13/14

p19 w6 d6 l7 f17 a18

p38 w14 d13 l11 f42 a38

Far from spectacular but not a record that shows a lack of confidence.

 

[eatonparkboy]

12/13

p19 w8 d7 l4 f25 a20

13/14

p19 w6 d6 l7 f17 a18

p38 w14 d13 l11 f42 a38

Far from spectacular but not a record that shows a lack of confidence.

I really meant the confidence that we were going out to play attacking football because we believed we were as good if not better than the opposition. Luton Town for example.

 

[Yellow Fever]

People read too much into results. City were much the better team against Luton, who got lucky with about the only chance they had. The problem was finishing, not confidence.

Gazza is right about formations, as a 4-3-3 can quickly change into a 4-2-3-1 when attacking and then fall back into a 4-5-1 when defending, just as a 4-4-2 drops back into two ranks of four when defending. The difference lies in the players who suit those formations more than the formations themselves.