Norwich City vs Wolves (home) 31st October 2017

[morty]

Another tough one, with tired legs and injuries and niggles.

#doom/gloom ?

 

[dj161]

tough game this, wolves going really well despite losing at the weekend, will be good to see John Ruddy again, but hopefully he has a shocker, Oliviera is definitely out and Watkins is fully fit so I'd expect to see Jerome keep his place for this and Bolton, can't imagine we'd see too many changes to the starting 11 but I'd bring in Wildschut for Wes to play on the wing

Gunn

Pinto Klose Zimmermann Husband

Reed Trybull

Murphy Maddison Wildschut

Jerome

thats how I'd like us to lineup, I'd bring Husband back in as Wolves are pretty good and he's a bit more solid and defensive focused that Steiperman, also I know I have Murphy right and Wildschut on the left but I'd expect them to be on the opposite wings, would just like to see us play with wingers trying to go past people on their natural side rather than keep coming inside

 

[Canaryboy]

I'd being in Hanley and Wildschut, give Zimmermann and Hoolahan a rest.

Possibly start Watkins with Jerome on the bench too? Need to rotate the squad a bit more where possible. 

 

[dj161]

based on the press conference Farke has said that because Watkins hadn't played for 5 weeks he's not 100% fit so I'd expect Jerome to start and Watkins to maybe get the last half hour or so

 

[dj161]

 

[morty]

Interesting....

 

[Canaryboy]

My optimism levels are falling, we're starting to feel a bit one dimensional and predictable or 'samey' and lack of depth really showing (partially due to bad luck with injuries though). 

 

[GJP]

Yeah, if we had Oliveira, Pritchard, Tettey and Wildschut then it's a different story.

Tonight you've got 4 out of 5 midfielders starting who can't run past a defender with or without the ball. The only one who can is Murphy and his movement and positional awareness is not good enough. But more disappointing is Murphy's clear lack of fight and desire.

Then you look at Wolves who had a very good mix of strength, pace and skill and you can see there is quite a gap between the two teams at the moment.

 

[dj161]

just a huge gulf in class between the two sides, our slow pedestrian style of play played perfectly played into the hands of their quick counter attacking high tempo approach, the speed they got the ball from one end of the pitch to the other is something we just don't have the players to do right now and can only dream of, we also missed Tettey majorly last night, while Reed, Vrancic and Trybull do a good job of knocking the ball around none of them have the ability to cover the back four like Tettey does, was a real reality check as to how far we are from a realistic promotion push, with our home form as it is I can't see us finishing much higher than mid-table, I'd expect Wolves to finish in the top 2 if they can keep that level up

 

[Fenway Frank]

Wolves were clearly the better team and have a few players that could play in the premier league. Reed and Madison both worked hard but they had a couple of heavyweight boxer sized players that were just too strong. As canaryboy said, we are looking very predictable and need to mix things up a bit, one of jeromes strengths is running the channels chasing balls played behind and we just don’t do that at the moment. 

My mate said to me that the 8 game run has raised expectations, there is still plenty of work to do but we need a good win at home to calm a few people down.

 

[Fenway Frank]

I forgot to say, Madisons legs must be black and blue this morning, the stats say they committed 24 fouls but it seemed like more ! 

 

[OldRobert]

FF is quite right when he says that the unbeaten run raised expectations, but we are being beaten by injuries to key players and our home form, or lack of it.  Stating the 'bleedin' obvious' I know, but that is the truth of it.  Whether one will solve the other who knows, but there was undoubtedly a big gap in class between the two sides last night, which suggests to me that we have further to go than we might like to finish top 6.

 

[hogesar]

At home, in particular, this is the biggest weakness I see. Running with the ball or past players. Neither Trybull or Reed are happy to run forwards with the ball, even when there's open space in front of them to run into. Vrancic also isn't that sort of player. 

 
So from the back you're relying on runs from Pinto & Stiepermann. Beyond them you're essentially relying on Maddison who's probably on balance holding onto the ball for a bit too long.
 
Wildshut has his weaknesses but his ability to get past people shouldn't be underestimated when we're just so, so limited to players who'll run with the ball. I've missed Murphy off because he's getting knocked off the ball before an opportunity for him to run happens

 

[OldRobert]

And nobody runs beyond the front man............................

 

[Dubai Mark]

Now I've been at an all time low earlier in the season, but to be honest I'm not so negative right now, even after those two defeats. Looking at the bigger picture, both Derby and Wolves (who I can see as winning it) will almost certainly be in the top six at the end of the season, and both have had spent good money and probably had less first choice players out against us than we did, and we lost by the odd goal against each. Its unlikely that our squad could be any more depleted than it has been over recent weeks (I mean its really been patched up when considering half fit players have been on the bench who can do "20 minutes"),so that indicates to me that there is a lot more in the tank going forward, then add one or two decent signings or loans in January and I am still pretty confident that we will be challenging for a play off spot come the end of the season.     

 

[Fenway Frank]

At home, in particular, this is the biggest weakness I see. Running with the ball or past players. Neither Trybull or Reed are happy to run forwards with the ball, even when there's open space in front of them to run into. Vrancic also isn't that sort of player. 

 
So from the back you're relying on runs from Pinto & Stiepermann. Beyond them you're essentially relying on Maddison who's probably on balance holding onto the ball for a bit too long.
 
Wildshut has his weaknesses but his ability to get past people shouldn't be underestimated when we're just so, so limited to players who'll run with the ball. I've missed Murphy off because he's getting knocked off the ball before an opportunity for him to run happens

Been using copy/ paste hog ? ??

 

[Canaryboy]

Neither of the Murphy's have got the mental strength to become top players. If we were offered £5m for Josh I think we should snap their hands off. 

Newcastle fans think they have been mugged. and I agree, bucket loads of talent and no bottle or determination the pair of them. May sound harsh and I'm sure somebody will say "this is why young players don't succeed at Norwich" or something, but there is a huge difference between a Murphy and a Bellamy and it isn't physical. 

Both set for a long career in the Championship, in terms of levels they don't surpass Korey Smith, Declan Rudd or Tom Adeyemi (in their respective roles) The best outfield player we've produced since Bellamy is Chris Martin, as depressing as that sounds. 

One of those posts which has potential to come back and bite me in the backside, but I don't think it will. There has to be a point where players aren't talked about as "prospects" anymore, and for a winger I think when they are coming up to 23 years old they are old enough to be judged on what people see and not what will probably never come because in 5 years they'll start falling to pieces and lose their pace like Matt Jarvis and most other once-pacey wingers in world football. This is as a good as they get. 

Goalkeepers and target men get a pass for a couple more years,

 

[dj161]

Neither of the Murphy's have got the mental strength to become top players. If we were offered £5m for Josh I think we should snap their hands off. 

Newcastle fans think they have been mugged. and I agree, bucket loads of talent and no bottle or determination the pair of them.

Newcastle fans can think they've been mugged off all they like, they we're all raving about signing Jacob and how great he is, obviously never watched him play last year and just looked at the fact he's a young English winger that got to double figures in the goal scoring column, he has so much work to do on his game it's actually kind of funny that they paid that much for him, it makes you wonder if their scouts ever watched him play for more than half an hour

 

[GJP]

Josh is 23 in February (same as Jacob iirc) so it's about time he starts to deliver and play like he means it.

Otherwise I think we look for someone else to play there.