RVW, the new Dean Coney

[GazzaTCC]

I think that's stretching it a bit. Some players clearly weren't good enough, some under performed massively and some of the team selections, formations and use of subs were curious. Oh, and some serious dithering in the Board room. There was no single factor however much some like to point the finger solely at the previous manager.

 

[Din]

For those who haven't seen it, this is what van Wolfswinkel said the other day:

"I did not like my last year in England"
 
"I was hurt by it, I could not show all my qualities or play every week, plus the team did not practice good football. You learn a lot when you succeed, but maybe we learn more when go through a bad period. It happens, and I came out stronger mentally and it's allowed me to target a lot of things I need to do differently."
 
"[Van Persie] said it was always difficult to face Norwich at home and they did have a good crowd and a good ground. Nothing else."
 
"I've played on lots of stages in lots of countries. The atmosphere here (in Saint-Etinne) is exceptional, and I don't say that because I am part of the club. These are probably the best fans I've had the chance to play in front of."
 
"I'm seriously thinking about staying here. I would like to, even though I know things can change quickly. But for it to happen I will need to play well and be important for the team. I don't see why I would want to go elsewhere. The Netherlands, Portugal, England, France - we've moved a lot and my family feels good here. People are very friendly."

 

[ZLF]

Bizarrely,  considering the criticism RvW got, two of the more stunning facts (not conjecture or opinion) from the regular starters (10+starts) last season are

1.   No player gained more points per game started than RvW last season (1.13 per game - enough to avoid relegation if starting every game,  30% better than the team norm)

2.   No player lost fewer games than him when starting ("just" 50% of starts,  10% better than the team norm) 

Both are significantly better than the team averages - and he played against a decent mix of teams too.   

No one is saying this is good,  but perhaps the criticism is overboard given he clearly had a positive effect on the team (giving shape, purpose and impact, which is what players meant to do) in spite of his lack of goals.     

Compare that to say Howson team worst of losing, yes losing,  more than 60% of his starts or BJs just 0.71 points per game started,  hoopers win rate of 18%.    All highly rated and much loved but much more ineffective performers.. 

Something to ponder 

 

[GJP]

Stats, huh?

If we had to get rid of one of RVW or Howson, who would you have got shot of and who would you have kept?

 

[ZLF]

Exactly.

Personally, I would have got rid of neither at the end of the season and made a decision at the end of the champs season with both in the last chance salon.

While Johnny is continuing to show signs of talent he remains (frustratingly) too marginal when,  having stepped down a league,  he should be dominating games with the potential we all think he has.   

Unlike redmond who still has a couple of years to  grow as a player,  Jonny is now 26 (I think) and should be at the peak of his powers.   Unless finally starts to deliver on that potential over the next 6 months and starts to consistently influence the game across both halves then I would also say cheerio to him come next summer.   Glimpses at 26 and in the championship is not enough.     

But that applies to several players - not just Howson.

 

[GJP]

Ha. The choice was Howson or RVW. Not both or neither.

Anyway, I don't buy this stuff about Howson being marginal etc. He was, for pretty much a calendar year, the best player in a Norwich shirt until he got injured this sort of time last season.

Since then he hasn't had an extended run of games because of injury problems.

For me there's no doubt that he's quality and he's more often than not a top performer for us.

 

[Din]

Yeah Howson was probably our most consistent player last season, and it's no coincidence in my mind that we went through a really bad run of form after he got injured. Whilst he has been good I would say so far, he hasn't been at his best this season. I think though that is down to the fact that he hasn't been able to get a consistent run of games without injury for a long time now. He just needs a run in the starting 11 now which is what he is getting, and he will get better and better.

 

[Canaryboy]

While Johnny is continuing to show signs of talent he remains (frustratingly) too marginal when,  having stepped down a league,  he should be dominating games with the potential we all think he has.   

Hope we see the best of Howson in the second half of this season. We've all seen glimpses of real quality (Premier League quality at times), he has the talent to really stand apart in this division. Consistency is his problem.

 

[eatonparkboy]

I'm surprised Howson hasn't come in for more criticism. He is probably the most gifted of our players. Redmond has pace, Hoolahan has the dribble but Howson has the overall ability. But apart from glimpses, he is probably under performing the most. Johnson comes under more scrutiny than any other, but he hasn't half of Howson's natural ability.

 

[Watling the Gnome]

If Mike Phelan is half as good a coach as I think he is, we should see some inspirational midfield play in the second half of this season.