Norwich City vs Man Utd (Home) Saturday 11th December 5:30 Kick off..

[morty]

A lot to unpack here.

New manager for Man U, not ideal news. Also slightly worrying is this report of a massive Covid outbreak at Spurs, kinda makes me wonder if we have something similar going on, and some of our players have picked it up. Hope not, and I would imagine the players from teams don't actually mix, apart from on the pitch for 90 minutes.

"New" Covid rules mean that they are meant to check Covid certs, or LFT results, but they have been meant to be doing this all along anyway, and I have never been asked. Only place I got asked was Chelsea away, where the stewards checked every single away fan.

Overall, I don't think we were that bad last week, the biggest issue was all of our strikers did not take their chances. Would be nice to see Rashica or Normann back, but I guess we'll find that out at the presser, tomorrow morning.

Honestly, with their new manager bounce, I can't see us beating these.

 

[Fenway Frank]

New" Covid rules mean that they are meant to check Covid certs, or LFT results, but they have been meant to be doing this all along anyway, and I have never been asked.

I have no idea how the club are going to deal with the new rules, how can you check 27k people ? What about people with underlying health problems and may not feel like going now ?

 

[morty]

I have no idea how the club are going to deal with the new rules, how can you check 27k people ? What about people with underlying health problems and may not feel like going now ?

Duncan was telling me he has been checked a few times. I suspect they pick on a few that arrive early, there is absolutely no way they could check every person, they probably work to a percentage.

Like I say, the rules haven't actually changed, they were meant to be doing this all along.

 

[Fenway Frank]

Duncan was telling me he has been checked a few times.

Did he have to cough ?

 

[morty]

Did he have to cough ?

The young lad who approached him (It is neither confirmed nor denied it was nephew Tom) seemed almost embarrassed to ask him, and told him he didn't have to show him his certificate if he didn't want to.

 

[Number 9]

I read a bit about Rangnick at Man U.
They're expected to win the ball back within 8 seconds after losing possession. When they regain possession, they're expected to have a shot on target within 8 seconds.
He's installed a big ticking clock on training pitches everywhere he's been to train the players.
Most goals are scored within 8 seconds of a team gaining possession is what they say.

I'm really hoping that Deano will tell our defenders not to fanny around at the back passing between themselves and Krul otherwise it could be grim.

 

[morty]

Rangnick is an interesting one. Lauded as a genius by the likes of Tuchel, yet has never really managed a big side.

But, to be fair, I could probably get more out of Utd than Oli did.

 

[morty]

Important information on COVID-19 certification for matchdays at Carrow Road

Following the government’s recent announcement surrounding COVID-19 and the imminent rollout of Plan B, Norwich City would like to outline requirements for fans attending upcoming matchdays at Carrow Road.

www.canaries.co.uk

 

[morty]

DS: 'Couple of players we are looking at with knocks. covid related issues as well on two players this morning. I can't let you into any names at the moment. We have tested a couple of players. They are feeling a little unwell. We don't think linked to the #tottenham game. But we don't want to take any chances. Waiting for PCR results. DS: 'We have a very high vaccinated rate at this club. That is reassuring in this type of on going situation.' Smith confirms it is players that are feeling slightly unwell and they are checking for Covid, rather than them testing positive on a lateral flow.

We did our first round of testing after the #tottenham game and it came back all clear earlier in the week.

DS confirms Williams ineligible to face parent club

I think we've played better than the points haul has suggested'. Smith on the performances so far. He reiterates that he felt the 3-0 scoreline was cruel on #NCFC last weekend.

Smith says #NCFC are 'full of respect' for Manchester United but that the game is at Carrow Road and they will be targeting points, irrespective of opponents. 'They are a big hitter. But we are in the same league. We want to win points, especially at home. Our players don't need to be fearful. We will need 8/10s but I believe they can do that.'

Few changes to Covid protocols. Masks inside the building at Colney, no prolonged meetings and deep-tissue massages are being kept to a minimum. Back to how we were a few months ago.

#NCFC have worked on forward play this week. But Smith keen to point out that he was disappointed with the goals conceded, so work has been done in that area.

Nice comments from Smith on the control they had over Spurs at points during last weekend's game. That hints that confidence is growing and should show #NCFC's group that they can compete at this level against the very best. Smith has already beaten Man United this season with his Aston Villa side. But United have a different coach and he has a different set of players. He feels #NCFC have enough quality to win the game tomorrow.

#NCFC have doubled their points tally in the last four matches. A couple of wins will see them shoot up the table. That is the target Smith is setting for his players.

DS: I'm really enjoying it here. As soon as I made the decision to come here, I've become immersed in the Norwich bubble. There's a group of players and group of staff all pulling in the same direction.

Many have said Spurs 'sat back' against Norwich. Smith disagrees. He says #THFC covered the most distance of any game they've played this season and in the last two years, that shows they were working hard to keep #NCFC out.

Mathias Normann won't be available for this weekend, but it’s hopeful he will be back for Villa on Tuesday #ncfc DS confirms Giannoulis is available this weekend

'If you present Teemu Pukki with that chance (against Spurs) he scores it 8/10. Unfortunately, it was one of those occasions where he didn't. We have good finishers, I see it in training.'

Smith is a 'regular watcher' of the U23s and is happy with the quality in that squad. Would have no issues calling some up to the first-team if needed at different points.

Dean also confirmed that Todd Cantwell is fit and well and has trained all week.

Saturday comes too soon for Sam Byram. He could come into the squad if the numbers aren't there. Smith likes what he has seen in training from him. Remembers him from Leeds and calls him a 'talented lad'. Classic 'could be a new signing' feeling around that

 

[morty]

 

[Number 9]

The team today

McLean, Rupp & Billy in midfield.
Placheta & Josh up front with Teemu.
Best not ask about the defence.




2-2

 

[OldRobert]

Eh?

 

[OldRobert]

 

[Number 9]

Who knows what might happen,
it's 11 v 11 after all.

 

[Number 9]

Morty is just getting another couple of beers in before kickoff, he hasn't noticed the team yet!

 

[Number 9]

When you jump off your seat excited that we've got the ball in the penalty area - then you see Rupp

 

[gerryinromania]

On the telly box here. Deserved a point, A team of fringe place warriors, plus pukki the feeble. The guys had fight and a don't give up mentality tonight. I really think that the ref should have shown a couple of M.U a yellow

 

[morty]

I thought we were decent, and easily deserved a point. Big blow Hanley going off like that, he looked badly hurt, something along the lines of fractured collar bone / dislocated shoulder. Apparently Gibson could be back for Tuesday, Big Andy to see a specialist about a back problem. Thought Kabak did okay today, also Sorenson came on to fill in.

Trouble is performances, as good as they are, don't put points on the board. Nobody was bad, but you look at the bottom three, and wonder if it is going to change much before the end of the season.

 

[morty]

 

[Number 9]

We created chances, just keep fluffing it when we need to score.
Stupid by Aarons ball was six feet over Ronaldo's head, didn't need to touch him.