Next boss must change squad or tactics

[Gabriel]

Norwich fans,

Written up some neutral thoughts on the situation at Carrow Road - http://www.TheFootbalLab.co.uk/2017/next-norwich-boss-must-change-squad-or-tactics/

Taking aside names for now, do you want a manager that will build a younger, more attacking team, or someone more short-termist and pragmatic?

 

[SwindonCanary]

tactics -- I'd love someone who plays a high pressing game

 

[Lavanche]

Like Swindon I would prefer manager with hard pressing and countering  tactics as deep defending is somewhat risky and boring and possession can also be boring and if we promote it is very hard one to keep up with top dogs. 

Also continuity always over short term quality and ever changing tactics. 

 

[Gabriel]

Like Swindon I would prefer manager with hard pressing and countering  tactics as deep defending is somewhat risky and boring and possession can also be boring and if we promote it is very hard one to keep up with top dogs. 

Also continuity always over short term quality and ever changing tactics. 

Do you think the current squad has the capacity to press high up the pitch? Sweeping changes needed in the summer?

 

[morty]

We do press high with our attacking fullbacks, but its the lack of pace in our midfield that stops us completing the job. The Murphys are going some way to addressing this, but we are getting caught out too often down the flanks after the full backs have bombed forward, putting our centre backs under more pressure than they need to be. I would rather see us stay more solid and pass it through central midfield with a bit of pace.

You have to wonder has this tactic been developed and the players made to fit it, or have we genuinely played to players strengths?

As much as I love Hoolahan and Pritchard, our central attacks massively slow down when they get on the ball.

 

[Gabriel]

We do press high with our attacking fullbacks, but its the lack of pace in our midfield that stops us completing the job. The Murphys are going some way to addressing this, but we are getting caught out too often down the flanks after the full backs have bombed forward, putting our centre backs under more pressure than they need to be. I would rather see us stay more solid and pass it through central midfield with a bit of pace.

You have to wonder has this tactic been developed and the players made to fit it, or have we genuinely played to players strengths?

As much as I love Hoolahan and Pritchard, our central attacks massively slow down when they get on the ball.

Heard a lot of hype about Hoolahan, but from what I can see he's not done much since the promotion season. Struggles to adapt to high-tempo games.

 

[morty]

Heard a lot of hype about Hoolahan, but from what I can see he's not done much since the promotion season. Struggles to adapt to high-tempo games.

I wouldn't go that far, but when Hoolahan plays we set up so that everything goes through him, and his lack of pace can slow the game down.

 

[Canaryboy]

Heard a lot of hype about Hoolahan, but from what I can see he's not done much since the promotion season. Struggles to adapt to high-tempo games.

He was massively overplayed by Alex Neil earlier this season. Go on his ESPN page which lists all games played and see how many starts he made, and how many full 90's he played. Then compare that with the three previous seasons. Bare in mind he is 35 in May. 

Its almost as if he'd been 'managed' for about three seasons, to extend his longevity, and then Alex Neil has decided to just squeeze as much as he could out of him this season and then discard him (which according to The Sun he wanted to do this summer). He started the season well and then his performances dropped after being played non-stop, and then wasn't seen for six games in December after fizzling out. 

Alex Neil hasn't got the best out of Wes this season, and I think it is mostly his fault. It may also be up to Wes to knock international football on the head though if he wants to extend his club career. 

Norwich fans have learnt never to write off Wes Hoolahan. You illustrate this point perfectly in fact when you mention what he offered in our promotion season, when he was excellent. The year before he barely featured under Hughton, 10 starts I think it was. 

And if Hoolahan has been mediocre this season then what does that say about Naismith. I'm sure a lot of outsiders will just look at the goals scored column, but I can assure you that Wes has offered more than £8m Steven Naismith this season.

He is actually still in the top 10 in the Championship assists table, despite being left out for all 6 games in December. And last season he got 8 assists in the Premier League in a poor team with poor strikers, which actually put him above Fabregas, Albrighton, and Firmino, and level with Drinkwater, so he clearly had an impact. 

I really think its Naismith that we need to get rid of, he offers us next to nothing. Then we can rotate Pritchard and Wes through the middle, depending on the fixture and the approach, we'll get more out of Wes if he is a squad player like a 35 year old should be. Pritchard would be much better on the break. He often tried to play Naismith and Wes in the same side, neither has much pace, that's probably the real issue here. 

Its a shame that Wes wasn't capable of spraying around some long range passes really, could have converted him into a Leon Britton type player and stuck him in a deep role where he could dictate the tempo without slowing down our counter attacks. Probably a bit too late for him to try and undergo a conversion like that, realistically he's got 1 year left, his Wessimonial and then I guess he'll go and play for Shamrock Rovers or something. 

 

[ZLF]

a change of squad is essential,   we can then make the changes of tactics need to suit.

we have a good young emerging squad smothered by overpaid players over 28 who are simply past their best,  and who have now down tools for 3 consecutive managers of different managerial and tactical styles.   With the exception of Howson and Jerome I would want them all out.  

 

[GJP]

a change of squad is essential,   we can then make the changes of tactics need to suit.

we have a good young emerging squad smothered by overpaid players over 28 who are simply past their best,  and who have now down tools for 3 consecutive managers of different managerial and tactical styles.   With the exception of Howson and Jerome I would want them all out.  

Can we lower that to 27 to include Ryan Bennett?

 

[ZLF]

oh good god yes.  for me is the first cb out of the door,  even ahead of turner and bassong

 

[Canaryboy]

I'd keep Dorrans from our over 28 lot, does a job when fit and is versatile so a decent squad player, and I think we've missed him a little. 

 

[Canaryboy]

Its difficult to know which players a new manager could get more out of, and which ones are just semi-retired. 

But I don't think I'd be offering any contracts to any of those who have a deal running out in the summer, apart from perhaps Ruddy at the right price.

I can't see us being able to find a new home for Matt Jarvis either.