Norwich City v Everton Saturday 12th December 2015.

[Dubai Mark]

Yet another "game of two halves", absolute shambles first half and lucky not to have gone in three or even four down. Second half so much better, we actually looked like a team that had played together before, and should have gone on to win the game. For me, Rudd looks no better than Ruddy, looks very uncertain when the crosses come in, but you can certainly see he is a good keeper. Agree with Jerome, even on the box you could see a lot of his contribution, and I also think we look more confident with Russell Martin in the side.

 

[GJP]

I also think we look more confident with Russell Martin in the side.

Think so?

 

[Din]

Odd game really. We could've been 4-0 down by half time but in the end we actually could've won it. At this level when you get a clear cut chance like the one Jerome had it's crucial you take it, and he skied it. I'm a big fan of his but the question mark over him even last season was his finishing, and composure in front of goal, and it was apparent why today.

Up until Everton scored I was actually relatively impressed by us. We used the ball quite well, and had a lot of it. Then one sloppy pass from Martin, and O'Neil not being properly turned on, lead to us giving away a corner that they eventually scored from. So frustrating that it's little moments like these that usually end up costing us. We were lucky not to be losing by more at half time, but the change to bring Bennett on (who should've started the game) was certainly the right change and with practically his first touch of the game he set up Hoolahan for our goal (I have no idea what happened for that goal btw, as I sit up the other end of the Jarrold so could only see a crowd of players and then people in the Barclay celebrating). 

Hoolahan was excellent I thought, particularly 2nd half, although I can't argue with Rudd for man of the match. A couple of iffy moments but he made some great saves, and seems to be very good in one-on-one situations. And despite a dodgy first half, Russell Martin looked quite comfortable in the 2nd half at right back, and was really quite solid defensively. Redmond is the player that I'm most disappointed with. As for Everton, Lukaku looked an absolute class act today. Hard to believe that he's only 22, he has a real maturity to his play, and first half in particular Bassong just couldn't handle him.

Would've taken a point before kick-off and it feels even more pleasing to have got it considering the way we were dominated first half. Still that nagging feeling though that we could've won it had Jerome taken that golden chance.

 

[Dubai Mark]

My comnent re Russell Martin needs explanation,  I should have added " at right back" as the opposite happened first half. 

 

[Canaryboy]

If Newcastle win tomorrow we're in the relegation zone.

Newcastle play Aston Villa next week too, so guaranteed that at least one of our relegation rivals will be picking up points next week. 

 

[Killiecanary]

It was like Arsenal all over again!  Second half as good as the first was bad.  Jerome has to bury that chance really - we need to take those.  

Rudd was great.  Thought Wes had an excellent second half.  Tettey frustrates the hell out of me...every time he gets the ball the speed of his thought is so slow I swear you can almost see the cogs turning.  

But we have to work out how to play our 'A' game from the first minute, and stop forgetting to play until we go a goal down!

also would add the atmosphere second half when we pressed much higher and got stuck into them really helped too.  If we can get Carrow Road rocking like that earlier in games every week it would be a huge advantage for us.

 

[eatonparkboy]

Did not see the game so make no comment other than to say in other circumstances the result would be useful but the way the teams around us have improved, it feels like a loss.

And I am puzzled as to some of the changes in the starting lineup. What did Bennett do wrong last week that Tettey didn't and what has Mulumbu done wrong?

 

[RhythmicTheory]

I dont get the bennet change either.  I think the thinking must have been with how good Everton are on the ball, he wanted players with good ball retention, Martin is better on the deck that Bennet.  However, I think having a settled back four is more important at the moment.  We looked better second half with him on the pitch but then we were pressing further up the pitch.  Even with Bennet in the back four in the first hafl we would have struggled with the lack of work rate from the team, but he surely wouldnt have made as many mistake as Russel martin (worst 45 I've ever witnessed from a centre half, no exaggeration).

Surprised Grabban didnt start either, given the other technical players on display.  Rudd looked great again.

 

[RhythmicTheory]

It was like Arsenal all over again!  Second half as good as the first was bad.  Jerome has to bury that chance really - we need to take those.  

Rudd was great.  Thought Wes had an excellent second half.  Tettey frustrates the hell out of me...every time he gets the ball the speed of his thought is so slow I swear you can almost see the cogs turning.  

But we have to work out how to play our 'A' game from the first minute, and stop forgetting to play until we go a goal down!

also would add the atmosphere second half when we pressed much higher and got stuck into them really helped too.  If we can get Carrow Road rocking like that earlier in games every week it would be a huge advantage for us.

We were miles worse first half today than against Arsenal.  Arsenal wasnt bad except we were a bit deep and the ruddy mistake, we were dealing with them quite well, albeit under constant threat.  Today, I've never seen the ball given away so much, sat deeper and deeper, looked low on confidence and there was no work rate or desire.  The transformation in the second half was quite extraordinary.

 

[ZLF]

Bennetts change a non issue for me,  nothing between him and Russ with neither providing capability or confidence to the team. Both made mistakes galore today and we looked shaky every time Everton attacked. The number of 1v1 saves Rudd made coming out tongaps in nthe middle was embarrassing. 

 The goal again was a defensive catastrophe from Russ unforced errors for the corner,  olsson poor clearance and bassong out muscled at the far post.   Neither were the worst defender though with olsson first half effort leaving me fuming.   Jan and defenders is a must,  3 please and if we don't get a striker as result the team will still be better for it. 

Cam was isolated in the first half but lead the revival.  Yes is was a bad miss but the whole second half was built upon his work ethic and movement,  which was the first half aim too. Mbokani can't do than that and grabban is slightly different but inferior.  His reverse pass in the build up to his miss wasmngreat and highlighted his better link up play.

I don't think we started badly. Their goal was a little against the run of play What was alarming today was just how much the confidence disintegrated after we conceded,  from then until  half time we were shambolic and where we needed leadership.   Neil's comments about over relying on the coaching staff for guidance never hit more powerfully.  They are pro players and shouldn't need their hands held at every set back.

The gumption shown post half time motivational rollicking is equally encouraging and frustrating.   Same game plan yet actually implemented by the players,  its what works for us and keeps the ball away from the back 4     

Plenty of areas for concern,  but still attacking reasons for hope.  Coyy

 

[Canaryboy]

On paper this is a good point.

I'm just worried where about where our wins are going to come from.

Villa at home suddenly looks like a huge game, if we can't get 3 points at home to the leagues worst team then I think we are done for.

The fixture list looks pretty daunting. I think some people neglected to notice that whilst it looked like our start to the season was very good, the first one third of the season was by far our easiest run of games on paper.