Norwich City vs Crystal Palace (Home) Wednesday 9th February.

[morty]

Massive game. The table could look very, very different, depending on results on Tuesday night, and this game. If you look at the form table below, this could actually be the most important set of games for us, this season. If it all goes to form, am calling the Newcastle Everton game a draw, probably the table could end up like this :-

Crystal Palace 24
Leeds 22
Everton 20
Norwich 19
Newcastle 16
Watford 15
Burnley 13

You watch Burnley beat Man U now! Wouldn't mind if Newcastle beat Everton.




I would expect a similar team that won at Wolves, though hope that Sargent is fit, as much as I had high hopes for Plachetta, he has never really quite lived up to expectations. Tough call for goalie, as I thought McGovern did okay the other day, he did everything that was required of him. Not really sure how fit the players are that returned on Saturday, they all looked okay.

Someone was telling me that Palace have actually only won one more game than we have. Interesting.

 

[morty]

 

[morty]

Dean Smith in for the #NCFC presser. Josh Sargent still uncertain with illness but Lukas Rupp back to full fitness and Omobamidele back in full training but Palace game comes too soon.

Smith describes Sargent's potential absence as a 'disappointing blow', if he does miss the encounter tomorrow. Although said #NCFC performed well without him on Saturday. As for the wider group, Smith is seeing belief grow among his squad.

What’s changed since last meeting with Palace? DS: “Having about 10 more fit first team players.”

There's been a lot of questions on the 3-0 defeat in December, of course, #NCFC had a depleted squad that night. Smith confesses to feeling 'terrible' after that game. But you get the sense he feels his squad is in a better place to tackle this particular game.

Smith would rather be the one being chased rather than part of the chasing pack. Obviously results tonight can shift the table and #NCFC's place within it, but Smith wants his players to focus on themselves and ensure they do the job they need tomorrow.

Smith says #NCFC speak about 'game management' a lot. I've seen other people use a different term for it! That is required in this league, Smith says.

'Palace is big. But every game we play is big. We said the same before Everton and Watford. The message to the players is clear and they know the significance of the match.' Oof. Like that. No playing it down. Everyone understands how important Wednesday night is

Smith feels his squad is in a far better place. He says he is 'looking over his shoulder and seeing Mathias Normann', which says it all. Puts the recent good form down to good luck and quality.

Ozan Kabak is out with illness

'It wasn't the ideal draw'. Ha. Quite, Dean. But he wants his players and fans to be excited about travelling to Anfield in the 5th round of the FA Cup.

Jacob Sorensen on a similar timeline to Tim Krul in terms of comeback, Smith says towards the end of the month.

Interesting on formation, Smith felt #NCFC had more control in the 4-3-3 on Saturday. After looking at the Wolves shot map, he thinks they reduced them to very little in the box. It will be fascinating to see how he goes tomorrow.

On a drum at Carrow Road? DS: “The fans have generated a good atmosphere. We have to get the fans off their seats.”

Smith asked about whether a drum would improve the atmosphere at Carrow Road. He wouldn't be against one being allowed into home matches, although caveated that he wouldn't want to be sat near it. 'The atmosphere at Carrow Road can be something to behold'.

Was the defeat at #CPFC Smith's lowest point in charge of #NCFC? 'It wasn't much fun travelling home with Craig Shakespeare. But we knew where we were.' Plenty of context around those festive defeats. Although I think his dog got a long walk after that game.

Smith says the debriefs after matches are much more productive now. Players are voicing opinions in those sessions and becoming more engaged in those sessions, Smith says.

Can #NCFC complete a hat-trick of managerial sackings after a win? 'I think Patrick will be okay. So will Pep and Jurgen, I'm sure!'

#CPFC have 'significant strengths, Smith says. #NCFC will need to do plenty of work around stopping Conor Gallagher and Michael Olise. With that, Smith departs. Onto tomorrow.

 

[morty]

Well. That didn't go exactly to plan...

 

[OldRobert]

Can never depend on other people.

 

[morty]

Can never depend on other people.

Everton should be very, very worried. And Man U are just terrible also.

 

[Gunvald Larsson]

disappointing result at Newcastle ... a draw would have been better as that would have kept them both in the soup with no momentum building for Toon ... good result at West Ham ... Burnley's games in hand not looking too productive for them (so far) ... a win v Palace is a must

 

[Number 9]

Unlike the last doomed attempt at avoiding relegation, this feels different.
We're actually doing things on the pitch which work. Whether that's just game tactics against different teams or training ground stuff which is coming off during the game, or even just being streetwise with the timewasting etc.
If there was a snap poll of City fans now, I reckon that most would entertain hopes of survival.
Obviously, there's still alot of games to play and we've got a couple of tricky ones coming up after tonight, but generally we can see enough on the pitch to give us hope.

 

[Fenway Frank]

A draw wouldn’t kill us but realistically we now need to win tonight

 

[morty]

A draw wouldn’t kill us but realistically we now need to win tonight

We definitely need to win, to put Newcastle back in the bottom three, and drag Everton right into the relegation battle. I can see Newcastle getting out of this, but Everton look just abysmal.

We just need to be better than Everton, Watford, and Burnley.

 

[Gunvald Larsson]

Watford and Watford both look terrible .... Toon are gaining some momentum so we need another couple of teams to start dropping off in form .... Brentford look weak and Leeds are totally out of the mire .... a win tonight would be a real psychological boost for us and send a warning to the others that we are not yet doomed .... then, along came Man City and Liverpool ... ho hum.

This is my team for tonight ,,,,

 

[Number 9]

 

[gerryinromania]

Didn't win, didn't lose, should have had another goal before half time, Pukki, for all his work, can be so exasperating at times. Loved the penalty. Rashica, super game, Gunn did well with some very good saves

 

[Gunvald Larsson]

good team goal after 38 seconds by Pukki .... not the win we needed but another point on the board .... another sound defensive performance but the goal threat dried up pretty soon into the match .... Palace had 80% possession in the 2nd half but it took a wonder goal by Zaha to get through the yellow wall .... shocking penalty miss by Zaha though .... Manchester City next .... uh oh

 

[morty]

Echoing Gerry and Numan, a game of very mixed emotions and contrasts. I thought first half we were excellent in all departments, obviously the early goal helped, but we looked assured, streetwise, and capable. Rashica was outstanding, we stretched Palace all over the place, and our defence coped with everything. Plachetta played well heading off their wide play, it all just looked very slick.

But Palace are a very capable side.

Second half we always looked to be hanging on a bit, after wave after wave of attack came, always down the flanks, and Zaha scores a worldy. Then not long after the penalty, and I thought the worst. I was right in a way, as it was the worst pen I have seen in a long time.


In the end probably a point gained, there was only one side that looked like winning that match. I thought Aarons and Williams were both outstanding tonight. If you can't win, at least make sure you don't lose.

 

[Number 9]

Just a shame another of those chances we had on the first half didn't go in.
Teemu first time hit with his left foot etc.

 

[Number 9]

Kenny and Lees Melou did well in the first half tracking back defending but were passengers after the break.
When Billy & Normann came on we were suddenly able to move up the pitch with the ball again.
Hoping that Normann will start against ManC.
Tzolis for the second week running sat on the bench while Rowe came on.

 

[Number 9]

Overall Palace were obviously the better team, however, we restricted them to a wonderstrike from outside the area and a penalty.
We seemed to have more chances to win the game than they did.

 

[morty]

 

[morty]