Norwich City v Swansea City (home) Saturday 7th November.

[eatonparkboy]

 

[eatonparkboy]

Something bizarre happened to the last post.

I was agreeing with Canaryboy that Mbokani is Drogba like and I would like to see us exploit his aerial ability especially with such a good deliverer in Brady.

 

[It's Character Forming]

Wish I'd seen that coral offer of 10-1! But simply delighted with 3 points and a clean sheet

 

[Canaryboy]

Two clean sheets this season.

Both with the same back four....

Wisdom    Bennett    Bassong   Olsson 

Subject to all remaining injury free, that should be our first choice defence now until January at least. We'll find out in the next game whether Russell Martin is captain undroppable. 

 

[eatonparkboy]

I am confused about red cards. I thought Martin got a straight red and would get three matches but is it only one?

 

[Canaryboy]

I am confused about red cards. I thought Martin got a straight red and would get three matches but is it only one?

It depends on the nature of the offence. All red cards result in an automatic one match ban, then additional matches as decided by the FA and their criteria.

Russell Martin got a straight red for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity, which is only a 1 match ban, think they call that a "professional foul".

Violent conduct or spitting or any other Joey Barton type behavior is usually a 3 match ban. An intentional elbow for example would be a 3 match ban.

We've even seen people get 8 match bans for pushing a ref or biting. Usually its 1, 2 or 3 matches though, depending on the exact reason for the red card. Martin was only banned for 1 match. Just a simple handball to deny a goal, which would just be denying a goal scoring opportunity, the same type of offence as just sticking your leg out to trip a striker when you're the last man. 

 

[eatonparkboy]

Thanks.

Well as you say, apart from the hard task of winning football matches, AN will now have the equally hard task of keeping his word that nobody is undroppable and telling his skipper that he won't be playing against Chelsea.

 

[Wiz]

3 points, good goal, clean sheet and a excellent second half.

What's not to like?

 

[Dubai Mark]

I am so pleased about the three points of course, but it was actually a below par performance against a Swansea who seem to have lost their mojo, and had we played anywhere near as well as we were earlier in the season and gone for them, then a more comfortable win I am sure would have come our way.

I know I will take stick for my views today, and I accept the chosen tactics did win the game, however, the team only showed real urgency once we scored  and many other sides will brush us aside if we play like that again and with that midfield, it was all very light weight. 

 

[Canaryboy]

I am so pleased about the three points of course, but it was actually a below par performance against a Swansea who seem to have lost their mojo, and had we played anywhere near as well as we were earlier in the season and gone for them, then a more comfortable win I am sure would have come our way.

I know I will take stick for my views today, and I accept the chosen tactics did win the game, however, the team only showed real urgency once we scored  and many other sides will brush us aside if we play like that again and with that midfield, it was all very light weight. 

Think it was just one of those days where all that mattered was halting the run of defeats. We should just be delighted with the 3 points and take the positives. 

The positives for me where managing to replicate a clean sheet with the same back four which kept a clean sheet against West Brom, Mbokani once again making an instant impact, and hopefully a bit of a confidence boost for Howson.

With the run of fixtures that we have coming up it was so important not to lose again today. Hopefully there will be a game or two coming up where we aren't expecting to win and can throw caution to the wind a bit later in the game, I think Chelsea are for the taking right now for example.

It does feel a bit like a return to Hughton tactics, but if it works for now and gets us up the table I'll take it as long as it isn't a permanent shift in playing style. 

It could have been worse, he could have started 5 defenders at home today, I'm so glad he didn't do that. 

 

[eatonparkboy]

Well I'm glad that since the final whistle AN has admitted that he has altered the tactics and gone looking for a clean sheet as the first requisite. At least we know that could well be a lasting tactic until some form of safety is acknowledged.

And I think he realised at half time that you can still defend as well further up the pitch and then keep a bit more in touch with the advanced players. We stepped up a good fifteen yards second half and that led to Swansea's play being rushed and mistake ridden. Their absolute ease on the ball in the first half evaporated.

And of course next match is Chelsea who despite losing again still had the lion's share of possession. So it will be the same again I suspect.

I do wonder though if Wes is the right man for the support role for Mbokani/Jerome. Wes is my favourite player at the club but I don't think he fits the role that he was playing today. I believe his most use is in and around the box, probing and playing in other players. Trying to bridge that gap between the lone striker and his fellow midfield players is not his best role. Or running around shadowing players when the opposition has 60+% possession. I wonder if Howson might be better suited if this style is going to continue as I'm not convinced his best role is on the right.

 

[gerryinromania]

Not the most exciting game to watch on the puta. However, no complaints from me. The game had to be played, with the 3 points to be won.At the final whistle, NCFC were 3 points better off,with zero goals against. Well done all concerned. Couldn't see what Swansea hoped to gain though,with all their half way line passing to and fro,never looked like achieving any momentum. Would be nice if we have deals lined up for Mbokani and Jarvis to stay after the season has ended

 

[Din]

Quite a dull game, particularly the first half, but tactically Neil got it spot on today. Allowed Swansea to have plenty of possession but in general didn't let them get close to our goal, and took our chance from a set-piece when it came. Really valuable 3 points though considering the games we've got coming up, especially as we're heading into the international break.

I thought defensively we were solid today. Wisdom and Howson did a great job on doubling up on Montero, and Brady and Olsson did the same on the other side. I thought Brady deserved his man of the match, and Mbokani undoubtedly made a difference off the bench.

Delighted with that win though, feels like a really important one as well.

 

[GJP]

I didn't realise Brady got MOTM. Fairly poor first half from him and then ran out of steam towards the end. Good inbetween though.

 

[Dubai Mark]

Just to say, I think my earlier comments are a little harsh, and also what a class act Brady is!!!

 

[It's Character Forming]

I think it was horses for courses - AN knew Swansea were going to have a lot of possession and are strong on the flanks but are struggling to get goals so a more defensive setup minimised the chance of them creating much real threat. While we have the quality now to create chances even with limited possession especially when AN did his usual half time magic.

which worked perfectly and doesn't mean he's suddenly metamorphosed into Hughton II.

people were complaining AN can only play one way, but the last 2 games have seen very different tactical approached which both were spot on IMO.  Be interesting to see what he comes up with for Chelsea!

 

[It's Character Forming]

For the defence this is my preferred back 4 so I just hope AN agrees!

As for Ruddy he had hardly anything to do although if that chip had dropped in rather than onto the bar, I'd have been worried he wouldn't reach it.,, unfair to be critical when it's hypothetical but I'd still feel more confident starting with Rudd.

 

[ZLF]

Wes played his part,  his defensive effort was great today and won more than his share of ball back.  Nothing came off for him as he started deep and too far off Cj.   

Motm?   O'Neill or tettey for me as Brady, like much of the team,  were poor in the first half

 

[Wiz]

Wes played his part,  his defensive effort was great today and won more than his share of ball back.  Nothing came off for him as he started deep and too far off Cj.   

Motm?   O'Neill or tettey for me as Brady, like much of the team,  were poor in the first half

Agreed ZLF.

But O'Neil was MOTM for me.....just.

 

[eatonparkboy]

Agree about O'Neill. I thought he might have been a bit part player this season but if he plays like that then he should start.