Norwich City vs Chelsea(away) FA cup 3rd round replay.

[Number 9]

Chelsea played there best players, were unlucky to not get two or three penalties.

City played fantastic, not perfect but play like that in the Championship and we win more games than not.

 

[Din]

Well that game had a bit of everything, bet the neutrals were loving it.

Absolutely gutted to be fair but yeah what an effort. Unfortunate really that it feels like deja vu after that Arsenal game but we were fantastic and I hope all the lads are proud of themselves. We didn't deserve to lose that game. Delighted for Lewis in particular what a game he had and what a moment for him to score in the 94th minute.

Yeah Chelsea probably should've had a penalty at some point but f*ck them to be honest. Dirty bastards who were looking for penalty all game against a team in the division below them. That Pedro dive was absolutely scandalous and I'm glad he later got sent off. Shame though Chelsea weren't down to 10 men from the start of extra time rather than the end. 

Brilliant though Norwich. Hard to pick a man of the match but I'd probably go Vrancic or Zimmermann, no complaints about any of the performances though. Now let's pick ourselves back up and go again Saturday. 

 

[GJP]

Zimmermann crush.

 

[OldRobert]

Only one thing to say................bugger.

 

[morty]

Wow, what a game! Luckily Anglia held the last train for us or I would have been sleeping in Liverpool street station tonight ?

 

[Canaryboy]

I think I realised last night that Farke is a great coach.

And a lot of what we try and do in the Championship makes more sense now. 

He's got his "way", and that way seems to be a great way of playing in the Premier League, we've seen it against Arsenal and against Chelsea..

 

[morty]

I think I realised last night that Farke is a great coach.

And a lot of what we try and do in the Championship makes more sense now. 

He's got his "way", and that way seems to be a great way of playing in the Premier League, we've seen it against Arsenal and against Chelsea..

Hopefully the penny is starting to drop a bit with more people. It was illustrated pretty well by the clip that John Rogers put on twitter showing the patient, calculated build up to the Maddison goal in the Bristol game, drawing players in, passing and passing it to create the space for the opportunity for the goal, yet so many bemoan our over passing.

 

[Canaryboy]

Its just amazing that we had Klose in the left wing position playing a beautiful cross into the box to our left wing back, now that is 'fluid' football  :lol:

Also, playing Maddision through the middle and Oliviera on the right.... what clearer evidence do we need that Farke really wants a false nine up front. If we can use the Pritchard fee to bring in the Michu type player that he wants, then we'll begin to look more like the team Farke wants for next season. 

His style of football is beginning to make sense to me, but it does need to be accompanied by Webber delivering the type of players that he needs. Right now for this window I'd argue he needs a false nine, a pacey winger (possibly inverted right winger?),and right back cover. In the summer we're probably going to want to swap Oliviiera for somebody else, and a combative centre midfielder (one + Godfrey to replace Reed and Tettey). 

 

[morty]

Its just amazing that we had Klose in the left wing position playing a beautiful cross into the box to our left wing back, now that is 'fluid' football  :lol:

Also, playing Maddision through the middle and Oliviera on the right.... what clearer evidence do we need that Farke really wants a false nine up front. If we can use the Pritchard fee to bring in the Michu type player that he wants, then we'll begin to look more like the team Farke wants for next season. 

His style of football is beginning to make sense to me, but it does need to be accompanied by Webber delivering the type of players that he needs. Right now for this window I'd argue he needs a false nine, a pacey winger (possibly inverted right winger?),and right back cover. In the summer we're probably going to want to swap Oliviiera for somebody else, and a combative centre midfielder (one + Godfrey to replace Reed and Tettey). 

Oh yeah we definitely need a few players in, especially if results go our way on Saturday and we find ourselves sitting 3 points out of the play offs. I know we have likely kind of, not written off, but maybe tempered our expectations for this season, but if you suddenly find yourself on the verge, you have to take the chance. We shall see I guess, I get the long game that they are playing here, being very selective and careful with recruitment to make sure we get exactly the players in that we want, and fit into our system, but I feel a poor window could really set the fan mood back, very quickly, to what it was about 6 weeks ago.

 

[Canaryboy]

We at very least need a striker in this window don't we? 

We're down to one senior striker. 

I assume that we wouldn't have let Jerome leave unless we had a replacement in mind and were confident of landing him. I'd really hope not anyway. 

 

[morty]

We at very least need a striker in this window don't we? 

We're down to one senior striker. 

I assume that we wouldn't have let Jerome leave unless we had a replacement in mind and were confident of landing him. I'd really hope not anyway. 

Definitely, no grey area here. We have sold a striker and he needs replacing. I know Farke has said that Watkins or Murphy can "fill in" as strikers, but that really isn't ideal. Yes I know the false 9 formation worked in the first leg against Chelsea but its not something I see them doing regularly in the Championship. 

Trouble is January is a terrible time to buy, and we need to get the right man, so it will be a tough decision, and although I would like to see a striker in, I wouldn't want it to be a daft panic buy.

 

[Canaryboy]

Well if you use Murphy as a striker, then you need a left winger... so we need an attacking player of some description. 

ps. "The team is getting closer and closer together" - Timm Klose. 

That's an unusual comment just after selling 5 influential and experienced players, Martin, Naismith, Jerome. Wildschut and Pritchard. 

Conclusion = If you don't want to be here, then do one. It may not all be about the wage bill, it may also be partially down to which players are pulling together believing in this squad, the system and the manager. Because Nelson, Hoolahan, Tettey, Pinto and Klose are also going to be on high wages and we don't seem to have been in such a rush to push them towards the exit door. 

Albeit, Nelson perhaps just because of numbers and Tettey and Hoolahan because they aren't contracted beyond this season. 

It would be lovely if we could get into the position where we can afford to keep Klose despite his wages though, can't imagine us finding a centre back who can carry the ball as well as him. I wonder whether we could extend his contract in return for a pay cut or something. He's a player we could take up with us, so if are serious about a promotion challenge next season then finding the money to keep Klose for another year makes sense to me. 

 

[morty]

I don't think we will be in a rush to get shot of Klose and Pinto till perhaps the summer, they are just too influential just now, and there may be scope to keep them for the time being, the players we have shipped out have freed up a huge chunk of wages. This all has to be managed very carefully really, yes we understand the need to cut costs, but we have to remain competitive to some extent. The season ticket renewals will be out soon, and that is income that the club needs more than ever now, so they have to be really careful that the cost cutting doesn't go too far.

I'm surprised the season ticket renewal letter didn't drop onto my doormat this morning 

 

[Canaryboy]

I'm really hoping we may be able to keep a couple of high earners beyond this season? 

Just Klose and Pinto really, out of the list of likely high earners. 

Tettey and Wes will be released. 

It may depend on us being able to find a permanent home for Martin and Naismith in the summer, and being able to replace Jerome and Oliviera at a reasonable cost I guess. 

I suspect most teams without parachute payments have a couple of players on good money. Although I suspect keeping Pinto is probably more realistic than keeping Klose, I've got a hunch that Klose will be on more than the former. 

You never know though, if Klose is happy here then he may be open to a contract extension which gives him security but a lower wage? He's only got one more season after this, so it will be extend or sell in the summer.... but if you turn a 1 year deal into a 3 year deal, perhaps that may be attractive to him? Depends what his agent thinks he can get him elsewhere perhaps, at 29 he may want to try and find one last big payday (which I'll never blame any footballer for doing at that age to be honest). 

 

[Canaryboy]

By the way, I don't want Hoolahan to be released, just being realistic about his likely current wage vs his level of involvement these days. Would also be great if he could take a 60% pay cut or something and stick around for another year to do his coaching badges, occasional cameo appearance as an iconic god-like figure and mentoring role at Colney. 

Testimonial may feel like the best time to say goodbye though. If I were him I'd go and play in the USA in that league which is one level below the MLS (where Joe Cole is) for a few years. Could probably still boss that league until he's 40. 

 

[morty]

By the way, I don't want Hoolahan to be released, just being realistic about his likely current wage vs his level of involvement these days. Would also be great if he could take a 60% pay cut or something and stick around for another year to do his coaching badges, occasional cameo appearance as an iconic god-like figure and mentoring role at Colney. 

Testimonial may feel like the best time to say goodbye though. If I were him I'd go and play in the USA in that league which is one level below the MLS (where Joe Cole is) for a few years. Could probably still boss that league until he's 40. 

Nah, he has had his time, and has been a bit part player at best this season, and not really hugely effective any more. Yep, give him his testimonial and send him on his way with our best wishes. Oh definitely he can go on and play in the MLS.

Not really a fan of the "little old Norwich jobs for the boys" thing I'm afraid. Especially not for a $hithouse club like ours 

 

[Canaryboy]

It does feel like time to part ways with Wes, he's given us his best years and will always be a genuine Norwich legend and could have played higher if he'd come over from Ireland earlier. 

He could definitely keep playing like Jamie Cureton though... in the MLS until he's 40 or the League of Ireland until he's 65. And I enjoyed seeing Huckerby taking the p*ss in the USA, so would be nice to see another Norwich legend do something similar. 

To be honest, if I had his profile I'd probably be trying to get £100k a week in the UAE or China or something and ensuring I never have to work again. Not all players are that adventurous though. 

Will definitely be attending the testimonial, and it would be great if its Celtic again. 

 

[hogesar]

By the way, I don't want Hoolahan to be released, just being realistic about his likely current wage vs his level of involvement these days. Would also be great if he could take a 60% pay cut or something and stick around for another year to do his coaching badges, occasional cameo appearance as an iconic god-like figure and mentoring role at Colney. 

Testimonial may feel like the best time to say goodbye though. If I were him I'd go and play in the USA in that league which is one level below the MLS (where Joe Cole is) for a few years. Could probably still boss that league until he's 40. 

Thing is you keep a player too long and people easily forget what they used to be like. So this would be the right season for Wes to leave us. He has been an excellent player for us, and will be regarded a club legend by all. Rightly so, too.

Thought he looked good last night too, might see a bit more of him with Pritchard now off, and Wildshut.

 

[morty]

Thing is you keep a player too long and people easily forget what they used to be like. So this would be the right season for Wes to leave us. He has been an excellent player for us, and will be regarded a club legend by all. Rightly so, too.

Thought he looked good last night too, might see a bit more of him with Pritchard now off, and Wildshut.

He did look good but really I think his legs have gone a bit, and I can't see him managing a whole game too often.

 

[Number 9]

But that chip over the Chelsea player in our left back area which set up a decent counter attack. Who else in our club could see that / do that?