Time for change?

[Surgeryman]

No not the manager........yet but players and formation.

For me there are a number of things that have crept in for a number of games, many widely debated on here. Now the season still has a long way to go but the best chance of getting back to the Prem is this year so for me, changes are well over due.

Accommodating Hoolahan ( who I like) . How many seasons have we known his best position yet he is played wide left and unbalances the formation?

Russell Martin is not a centre back. He can fill in if needed. More attacking threat with him at RB. We have other CBS so why not play them? Bassong to Watford (??????)

Persistence with the worst passing player in a defensive role Bradley Johnson.

Persistent with the bang average league 1 striker Grabban. He is awful IMO.

Highly rated midfielders sitting on the bench.

Form players with a direct approach in Lafferty left out.

Lack of a plan B and not changing things sooner when it is not working.

Sticking with players who are not performing. I could go on.

A freshen up for Leeds is urgently needed. Keep going like we are at the moment and maybe my first sentence will start to be asked more and more. Indeed it does look more and more that the " Norwich way" is returning to CR.

 

[Din]

I agree that if we're going to play 4-4-2, then Hoolahan should be dropped rather than play on the wing. I'd much rather we played 4-2-3-1, with Wes in the middle, like we did yesterday.

I also agree that Russell Martin is much better at right back than at centre back. But at the moment we have Bennett out injured, Hooiveld hasn't really been too impressive, Bassong is out on loan, which only leaves Cuellar and Miquel. Not too many of us have seen either play regularly, so for all we know Martin could be better than both in the middle. It does seem odd though bringing them in if they're not going to play even when it seems we don't have many options. Martin is a decent centre back for this level, but nothing more. I think once Ryan Bennett comes back from injury, which will hopefully be in the next few weeks, I think him and Turner will be first choice, who for me are our best 2 centre backs.

Again, agree that Johnson should be dropped. Last game against Rotherham it was strange to see Tettey dropped for Howson rather than him, as Tettey has generally performed better throughout the season. I'm actually a big fan of Johnson, but the last few games he has been below par, and yesterday he was truly dreadful. If he keeps his place for Leeds then I'll be a little frustrated, especially when you consider the options we have in that position.

I disagree though about Grabban. He is far from an average League 1 striker. He scored 22 goals at Bournemouth last season, and is the 4th highest scorer in the division so far. It's only when we changed from playing 4-2-3-1, to 4-4-2 that he's started to perform poorly. When he was played as the loan striker, whilst he wasn't playing brilliantly, he was scoring goals, 5 in his first 6 I think, but since then we've switched it to 2 up top, and he has gone downhill. He was truly awful yesterday. To be fair he was played out of position, but if we're not going to play him up front then he shouldn't be playing.

To be fair, Lafferty was injured which is why he missed out yesterday. And tbh, whilst he had been good when he was starting for us, he didn't really do enough to justify keeping his place ahead of the in form Jerome. Again, he was admittedly being played on the wing, so maybe he now deserves a chance to play up top after doing so well for Northern Ireland. We shall see.

We do need a Plan B, yes. Although against Rotherham when we were 1-0 down, we switched it to 3 at the back and got ourselves level, and should've won. So we clearly do have a Plan B, but for whatever reason it wasn't used yesterday.

I agree that we need to freshen things up against Leeds. Unfortunately whilst I think Adams will be prepared to change things, I don't think he will do it drastically, and it wouldn't really surprise me to see both Johnson and Grabban walk out of the tunnel on Tuesday. 

 

[Canaryboy]

To be fair, Lafferty was injured which is why he missed out yesterday. And tbh, whilst he had been good when he was starting for us, he didn't really do enough to justify keeping his place ahead of the in form Jerome. Again, he was admittedly being played on the wing, so maybe he now deserves a chance to play up top after doing so well for Northern Ireland. We shall see.

Yes Lafferty was injured, but he was class when he came on against Rotherham, hit the post twice as a sub (one which led to the goal). After that performance, and his two goals during the international break, if he was fit I'd have expected Adams to start him. Preferably in a central role, it is about time we gave him a few games up top to see what he can do alongside Jerome.

If Lafferty is fit for Leeds then Grabban should be losing his place to Lafferty in my opinion. Lafferty is in form, Grabban out of form. That's fair enough, tables will turn again, but for now I think we need to drop Grabban to the bench.

 

[Din]

Yes Lafferty was injured, but he was class when he came on against Rotherham, hit the post twice as a sub (one which led to the goal). After that performance, and his two goals during the international break, if he was fit I'd have expected Adams to start him. Preferably in a central role, it is about time we gave him a few games up top to see what he can do alongside Jerome.

If Lafferty is fit for Leeds then Grabban should be losing his place to Lafferty in my opinion. Lafferty is in form, Grabban out of form. That's fair enough, tables will turn again, but for now I think we need to drop Grabban to the bench.

Yeah, I'd agree with that. And if Lafferty is fit I think he will start to be fair, probably ahead of Grabban. Unfortunately though, considering that we don't really have any natural left wingers (with the exception of Murphy, but he doesn't seem ready to start yet) I can see Lafferty being played wide left in a 4-2-3-1. Especially if Hoolahan is injured and Howson/Odjidja come in for him. Which would be a shame, as we've already seen for Northern Ireland, that he can score when played up top.

 

[Surgeryman]

Lafferty needs to be played through the middle. He is wasted on the left wing.

I agree DIn that unfortunately you will see the same players starting on Tuesday.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Good OP Surgeryman and I agree about the need for a change. I took it as a positive that city played a 4-2-3-1 yesterday (until Wes had to go off). Josh seems to be the favourite plan B at the moment, but like others I'm puzzled about why Howson stayed on the bench. The game was crying out for a CM who could retain possession and drive forward to link up with Wes and the attacking players, something both Johnson and Tettey were both having difficulty doing. If they both start against Leeds I'll be very worried.

 

[rbf]

People say our squad´s the best

By quite a country mile,

But when asked to play as one

Of late we´ve lacked some style,

Too many individuals

Perhaps to spoil the broth,

And maybe a boss who´s too green

To really show some wrath,

It does seem that some will start

Even if form is poor,

Which is weak from Adams N

If that is true, what´s more,

But we don´t see training days

At Colney, as they do,

So we must trust that they know

The strongest starting crew.

 

[the bristolnest]

If we are indeed playing the Norwich way then I would like to see some other individuals given a chance to play it better.

 

[Lake District Canary]

If we are indeed playing the Norwich way then I would like to see some other individuals given a chance to play it better.

I don't think we are playing the Norwich way.  I see an unbalanced team, overly committed to attack, leaving gaping holes for opponents to run into and attack the back four, who are often left exposed from cover from the midfield.     63% possession on Saturday tells the story.   Ability in spades, yet little to show for it in terms of shots on goal and open to the sucker punch.    Fulham grew in confidence once they realised we were not going to hurt them.   The Norwich way is much more than that.......I hope.

 

[ZLF]

perhaps,  given a defensive formation for leeds, we should go 3232?  that way we can keep two up front and stretch the game left and right?

       ruddy

martin   turner   hooiveld

     tettey   howson

redderz  voo   lefferty

     grabban  jerome 

 

[Monty13]

I think its definitely time for a change, we looked pedestrian saturday.

I hate to single people out but Grabban does not look comfortable not playing through the centre, if we are not playing 442 (and arguably even if we are) he could do with a rest. 

Johnson looked poor, he had a great start to the season but maybe it's time to try some rotation.

I've enjoyed seeing Hoolahan back but his injury forces a change.

I'd go 442 against Leeds (assuming the following are fit)

Whittaker Martin Turner Garrido

Redmond Howson Tettey Olsson

Jerome Lafferty/Hooper

 

[Surgeryman]

Interesting that Olsson is seen as a left winger. Not been doing that well going forward for me.

I would be a little bit radical tomorrow. 4 1 3 2

Martin to RB HAS to happen.

Play proper CBs . Saints fans rave about Hoiveld so not sure why some of our fans don't rate him after about 3 games. Get him in beside Turner or try Miquel or Cuellar.

Olssen will probably start but would be OK with Garrido if he was chosen

Bradley b.....y Johnson needs to be dropped. Bring in Vadis, Howson and Murphy with Tettey holding.

Two up front and I would go with Laffery and Hooper. Contraverisal maybe to drop Jerome but Laffs is in form. Would be OK with Jerome starting next to Hooper though.

So

Ruddy

Martin, Hoiveld Turner Olssen ( Garrido)

Tettey

Vadis Howson Redmond

Lafferty ( Jerome)

Hooper

Subs: Rudd, Johnson, O Neil, Miquel, Murphy Grabban and Whittaker ( Garrido/ Lafferty)

However Neil wont change much

Ruddy

Martin, Hoiveld Turner Olssen

Johnson Tettey Redmond

Howson,

Grabban Jerome

 

[Dubai Mark]

He has to change things around after recent poor results............at least bring in Howson and give Hooper a chance.......I want one or two more changes but cant see it happening, loved to be proved wrong though   

 

[dj161]

Ruddy

Martin Turner Hoiveld Olsson

Tettey Howson

Murphy Redmond

Jerome Lafferty

tonight for me, get plenty of pace out wide, get behind them get some crosses in to two physical forwards, i think having wes getting injured might actually be a blessing in disguise, as playing him on the left just for the sake of playing him isnt working at all, plus Murphy deserves his chance

 

[Matt Hopkins]

Ruddygore

Martian Hoofball Leftturn Oldson

Tettly Voodo

RedIndian Howdedo Murphyslaw

Geronimo

 

[Salopian]

There will surely be at least one change for the game against Leeds. Wes is still being assessed, but it seems that he damaged his ankle ligaments.

In addition Laferty is fit again, and surely will find a place.

Finally, NA has admitted that our attack play is not good enough. I would say not quick enough, as well. So there mat be one or two different players to start, - Josh, Divas, perhaps, and different tactics.

And the good news is that Ryan Bennett should be in training in a week or two.

 

[Yellow Fever]

The changes were made, but there is still the difficulty in breaking down packed goalmouths. My complaint about 4-4-2 is that it takes longer to play the ball out wide and the defense is set by the time any cross comes in. In any case, crosses are a low percentage option against a packed defense, as tonight showed. Howson was sharp throughout but he needs an ACM to play off. Odjidja looked sharp in his cameo at the end and I'd like to see him given a chance to start as the ACM in a 4-2-3-1, with Howson and Tettey linking up from midfield. 

 

[Surgeryman]

I thought we were dreadful and pedestrian. I had no idea what formation we were playing at the end.

Despite changes, our play was predictable. It's all right having possession but we cannot do anything with it.

The goal was dreadful backing off by Olssen and passing and decision making was awful, with Tettey and Whittaker the main culprits. Redmond is going backwards for me. Murphy was better today so why take him off?

Something's not right big time

Ruddy looked a bit flappy tonight, fullbacks did not get forward and the delivery when they did was poor. Whitaker is awful.

Howson worked hard but created nothing. Tettey looked off the boil.

Lafferty and Jerome did not work at all.

RUSSELL MARTIN IS NOT A CENTRE BACK NEIL!!!!!

Same old fare we haven even served up at home for four games on the trot. Sort it out Neil as we weren't excellent tonight! In fact it felt Hughtonesque indeed

 

[Yellow Fever]

Said this on the De ja Vue post, but will repeat it here:

Adams did change things in much the way Surgeryman was asking for (Johnson, Wes and Grabban replaced by Tettey, Josh and Lafferty). For me, the disappointment was the 4-4-2 formation which is just too predictable against a packed defense. Howson did well to try to link midfield with the strikers, but too often it was just hopeful balls ineffectively crossed into the area by both wingers. I hope to see Odjidja-Ofoe in the hole of a 4-2-3-1 against SW on Saturday, as he did produce a threat during his 15 minute cameo. With Wes out, that is our best hope of getting back on track, IMO. I wouldn't criticize a defense too much when it only allowed 4 shots, only one of which was on target. City, by comparison, had around 20 shots, 7 on target. 

 

[Surgeryman]

Said this on the De ja Vue post, but will repeat it here:

Adams did change things in much the way Surgeryman was asking for (Johnson, Wes and Grabban replaced by Tettey, Josh and Lafferty). For me, the disappointment was the 4-4-2 formation which is just too predictable against a packed defense. Howson did well to try to link midfield with the strikers, but too often it was just hopeful balls ineffectively crossed into the area by both wingers. I hope to see Odjidja-Ofoe in the hole of a 4-2-3-1 against SW on Saturday, as he did produce a threat during his 15 minute cameo. With Wes out, that is our best hope of getting back on track, IMO. I wouldn't criticize a defense too much when it only allowed 4 shots, only one of which was on target. City, by comparison, had around 20 shots, 7 on target.

Sorry Yellow was very frustrated after last night.We know what to expects from teams at CR and have seen it in the last 4 games but we seem unable to do anything about it. Yes there were changes but these were ineffectual largely but the formation was the main issue combined with a lack of incisiveness when going forward. Some woeful passing, shooting last night and poor decision making.