morty
Moderator
Staff member
Should provide a bit more of a test, QPR unbeaten in five games. I wouldn't see a point as a negative.
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Din
Well-Known Member
Yeah a draw certainly wouldn't be a bad result, considering their form and the fact we're away from home. If we could keep the momentum going with a win though that'd be fantastic.
I do wonder if we'll see changes here. Cantwell looked knackered by the end of the game on Wednesday, and with Vrancic's form and Marshall presumably returning from illness, you have to wonder whether one of them will come in for him, though admitedly neither of them are as direct as Cantwell. Tettey is always a question mark whenever we have 3 games in a week as well. Obviously if he's fit he plays really, as simple as that. If he's not then maybe we'll have to take Leitner out as well to make up for the lack of physicality in Tettey's absence. Will have to be 2 of Trybull/Godfrey/Vrancic. If we can I'd like to see the same team that played against Reading, but would be relatively happy to see Vrancic come in somewhere, probably for Leitner.
I remember this fixture last season where we lost 4-1 was one of the most infuriating Norwich games I've seen. With all the optimism around the club at the moment let's just hope we can keep that going. A win going into a winnable home game against Wigan next week would be amazing.
I do wonder if we'll see changes here. Cantwell looked knackered by the end of the game on Wednesday, and with Vrancic's form and Marshall presumably returning from illness, you have to wonder whether one of them will come in for him, though admitedly neither of them are as direct as Cantwell. Tettey is always a question mark whenever we have 3 games in a week as well. Obviously if he's fit he plays really, as simple as that. If he's not then maybe we'll have to take Leitner out as well to make up for the lack of physicality in Tettey's absence. Will have to be 2 of Trybull/Godfrey/Vrancic. If we can I'd like to see the same team that played against Reading, but would be relatively happy to see Vrancic come in somewhere, probably for Leitner.
I remember this fixture last season where we lost 4-1 was one of the most infuriating Norwich games I've seen. With all the optimism around the club at the moment let's just hope we can keep that going. A win going into a winnable home game against Wigan next week would be amazing.
Dubai Mark
Active Member
Yes, they have soon got their act together since being tonked, all credit to McClaren. For me though, they remain a mid table side (like us sadly at the moment) at best and a win should be achievable with a performance anywhere near the one against Boro, we need to see some solid progress and it's in these games we need to see it.
morty
Moderator
Staff member
Oliviera for the bench?
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
I don't buy into the idea that there is no way back for Oliviera as stated....
... if there isn't enough of a personal problem to stop him being allowed to train with the first team and play for the U23's.... then at the end of the day if he looks good in training and scores for the U23's and his attitude is good around the youngsters then he can put himself back into contention.
Its clear that we want to sell him, but he's obviously kept himself match fit and has reported back from the summer and has made himself available for U23 fixtures so its not exactly a Jack Rodwell scenario is it, bet he's only one injury or suspenstion to Pukki / Rhodes / Srbeny away from being named on the bench.
It may be that a couple of goals off the bench is what is needed to tempt somebody into taking him in January.
OldRobert
Well-Known Member
Can't stand McClaren, so all I want is a win. Don't care who plays, just gimme a win. Ta. OTBC.
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Number 9
Well-Known Member
Surely his inclusion in the 23's is to bump his price up for a January move?
I'd imagine that Farke is spinning between Pukki and Rhodes.
dj161
Well-Known Member
morty
Moderator
Staff member
Unchanged, happy with that. Good to see Thompson back on the bench too.
In fact, regarding the bench, it seems like the first time in a long while where you can look at those players on there, and all of them are capable of coming on and making a difference. Strong.
In fact, regarding the bench, it seems like the first time in a long while where you can look at those players on there, and all of them are capable of coming on and making a difference. Strong.
morty
Moderator
Staff member
72% possession in the first half for City!
Din
Well-Known Member
Had to work today only just got back so just about to stick on the game. Sounds as if we're the better team just our ability in the final 3rd has let us down a bit. Hopefully we rectify that 2nd half!
morty
Moderator
Staff member
Hooge buh. Hooge.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
We were the much better side, and Cantwell and Lewis look like they have a good understanding.
QPR were proper crap though, reminded me of Ipswich at Portman Road.... and the poor finishing from Pukki and then Rhodes towards the end a bit frustrating (the one where Pukki probably should have looked for the support rather than shoot and then lost his balance, Rhodes effort straight to the keeper when he'd had time to pick his spot),still think we need to improve our decision making a bit in the final third if we're hoping to smash and grab against much better opposition considering how few chances we actually create despite our three wins in a row.
Pretty much bang on 7/10 from everybody on the pitch really. Sigh of relief when Krul played on, thought he'd disclocated his elbow initially..... people slating him earlier in the season but it would suddenly be a bit scary if he got injured wouldn't it? Defence trusts him and he's great with his feet...... amazing how quickly things could change for us if the back 4 doesn't trust the man behind them.
Oh yeah, and how easy is it to forget how young Max Aarons is? 18 going on 25!
QPR were proper crap though, reminded me of Ipswich at Portman Road.... and the poor finishing from Pukki and then Rhodes towards the end a bit frustrating (the one where Pukki probably should have looked for the support rather than shoot and then lost his balance, Rhodes effort straight to the keeper when he'd had time to pick his spot),still think we need to improve our decision making a bit in the final third if we're hoping to smash and grab against much better opposition considering how few chances we actually create despite our three wins in a row.
Pretty much bang on 7/10 from everybody on the pitch really. Sigh of relief when Krul played on, thought he'd disclocated his elbow initially..... people slating him earlier in the season but it would suddenly be a bit scary if he got injured wouldn't it? Defence trusts him and he's great with his feet...... amazing how quickly things could change for us if the back 4 doesn't trust the man behind them.
Oh yeah, and how easy is it to forget how young Max Aarons is? 18 going on 25!
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GJP
Well-Known Member
Thought we'd win.
morty
Moderator
Staff member
So, corner turned?
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GJP
Well-Known Member
I'll think on it and get back to you in May.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
Well we don't look like we're getting relegated, and it felt like we were a few weeks ago....
Worth noting though that Preston are 24th, Birmingham are 17th, Reading are 20th, Ipswich are 23rd, and QPR are 16th.
Middlesbrough are the only 'strong' side we've taken points from.
But now we play Wigan, Derby, Stoke, Villa, Forest, and Brentford, and the only one of those who aren't in the current top 10 were in the Premier League last season.
We'll have a better understanding of where we stand when October has finished I think..... whether we're still a mediocre mid-table or a side which can get up there in play-off contention.
Just feels so good to accelerate ahead of Ipswich because it really felt like we could be watching two relegation contenders at Portman Road, and it now feels like we are probably a bit too good to be dragged into that scrap this season (unless we get an injury crisis or something).
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GJP
Well-Known Member
Couple things - everyone is playing well. Nobody is patchy or being carried. I know that sounds like an obvious thing to say but sometimes results mask performances but not at the moment.
And everyone is playing in positions that suit them. And no better example of that than Stiepermann who has been superb both for the football side and physical presence.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
Can still get 18/1 on Pukki being the the top scorer in the Championship.
You'd effectively be betting on Dwight Gayle getting crocked though
You'd effectively be betting on Dwight Gayle getting crocked though
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