Norwich City v Chelsea (away) Saturday 21st November.

[eatonparkboy]

 

[KeiranShikari]

Now that's a team set up to counter and get in down the sides.

 

[eatonparkboy]

Martin not playing for "personal" reasons. Is that diplomatic?

 

[KeiranShikari]

No, I don't think so. We wouldn't not have a CB on the bench so something must have happened.

Hope his family are okay.

 

[GJP]

Heard a few days ago an ambulance was outside his house.

 

[Canaryboy]

I think the ref would have given that penalty (Bassong on Costa) if he didn't have doubts about his decision not to give one to Brady. 

Both penalties in my opinion.

 

[Din]

Fantastic game, really quick pace and both teams playing their part. Chelsea look much improved, playing some nice stuff in the final 3rd, and Matic is dominating the midfield. Have to give Ruddy praise as well for a couple of great saves, in particular the one from Costa. It feels though as if when we get the ball deep, if we can get past Chelsea's pressing players then there's a lot of space in behind their midfield to really get the likes of Redmond and Brady to run at them. Defensively overall today we've looked good, with Ryan Bennett having an exceptional game so far, so often being in the right place at the right time. O'Neil has been excellent as well, his composure on the ball is perfectly suited to this game where we've tried to keep possession.

Have to say I think we had a decent shout for a penalty as well. Brady perhaps goes down a little easily but Willian comes in from behind him and clips him without getting the ball. I've certainly seen them given. Have to say as well what a block from John Terry to deny Bassong what would've almost certainly been a goal. Happy with the way we've played so far, and now if we can just keep it tight at the back in the 2nd half as Chelsea start to push more men forward, then there should be more space for us to exploit in their half. Redmond is looking comfortable in the supporting striker role.

Also, hopefully Russell Martin and his family are ok.  

 

[eatonparkboy]

No, not Din, EPB
Something gone wrong with my entry.
I do hope it is nothing serious and doesn't involve the new baby.

 

[Din]

Not too many complaints in the end really, think the scoreline reflects quite nicely the way the game went. Chelsea were the better team and deserved the win however we were by no means completely outplayed, and we had a couple of good chances as well. Typical really that we're the team that Chelsea's poor form ends again. The goal though from Costa reflects the reason why we've conceded so many goals so far this campaign. Overall I thought we defended brilliantly but just switching off at the vital moment has really cost us. As I said though, overall defensively we were excellent, and Bennett and Wisdom, who have both only come into the side recently, were really impressive. I'm actually quite optimistic about Arsenal at home next week.

For Chelsea I thought that the young lad Kenedy looked decent. Probably has to work on the defensive side of his game but he made some great forward runs and clearly has pace as well. I also thought, despite the fact that he scored, that Costa looked pretty poor. Took his goal well but his movement in the box was non-existant, and he just looked devoid of confidence throughout. Hazard or Matic for me were man of the match. As for us as I said I thought the back 4 were excellent, and Ruddy looks to have found his form again making a few great saves. Brady was superb again and O'Neil also had a good game. Redmond was also a threat when we went forward, although neither Mbokani or Jerome when he came on where really in the game enough to have an impact.

Relatively satisfied despite the defeat really. Performance level was very good and should we play like that against the smaller teams in the division then we will pick up points. Chelsea looked excellent and to get a result away from home when a top team plays like that is always going to be difficult. Thought Alex Neil, once again, got his tactics spot on. 

 

[Canaryboy]

To be honest I think we were just outclassed, we defended excellently but it was 80 Minutes of Chelsea dominating the game and us shutting up shop, making them a little nervous on the break occasionally. If Diego Costa was just a little hungrier and made more of an effort to get into the six yard box they'd probably have scored three or four. 

Its a shame their world class attacking players turned up today because their back four looked nervy, just weren't tested enough. 

Difficult to see what else we could have done today though, Chelsea were all over us whenever we were in possession in the middle and we just couldn't string more than two or three passes together. Chelsea will probably go on a run of now.

I definitely think that Wisdom, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson and Ruddy have shown that they are our best back five again today and that's the major positive that I'm taking from the game. Bennett, Bassong and Ruddy in particular were excellent. 

 

[eatonparkboy]

Yes we were outclassed today. I was a bit disappointed that as we were just hoofing it clear for much of the second half that we didn't leave Mbokani on alongside Jerome and maybe keep it up their end a wee bit longer. The midfield were being bypassed most of the time so we were never gong to construct too many passing plays. I thought Redmond could have gone off instead of Mbokani.

But no complaints, it is difficult to play when you only have the ball for a third of the time. And I do disagree with AN when he says we didn't give them much. JR was my Norwich MOTM and it could have been a much bigger scoreline.

But as the others at the bottom are finding it very tough as well I believe we can stay up as long as we defend with as much concentration against the teams lower down as we have against the big guns.

 

[Dubai Mark]

Strange game, we could have nicked a point,  but should really have been tonked. So, never happy losing, but am happy it wasn't ba tonking.