Norwich V Preston (Away FA Cup 3rd Round) Sat 3rd jan 2015

[SussexYellow]

I am sitting watching Football Focus and the magic of the Cup is still there for me. The programme is at Blyth and everything from the old fashioned dressing rooms and a pitch that will cut up after 20 minutes is so nostalgic and seasonal. I went to Paulton a few years back and loved every minute of it.

The clinical and sterile game that we see today does not hold any affection for me and if I could get NCFC out of my blood, I doubt I would bother with the professional game.

Ah but there's the rub EPB. Once you get NCFC in your blood you can not get it out. There should be a health warning on the ticket for your first visit to Carrow Rd. Not that there were tickets when we first went!

Really not sure about the cup any more. Just seen the attendance at Cardiff. Depressing. The problem is that the financial reward is such the point at which it is attractive for a club to turn up is falling further and further down the football hierarchy. I would not expect us to give it any great priority unless we reach the last 16 maybe even the last 8.

Great shame because we remember the competition as the one where you had both the chance of glory and the chance to make some money. The competition that attracted the biggest gates. I do not condone the change but I have sort of accepted that times have changed.

 

[SussexYellow]

would of liked to of seen Murphy, Rudd and Garrido given a game, but im overall very happy and now confident about this lineup and game

Yes I would agree with that. If you have a squad you need to use it when you can to give players half a chance of remaining match sharp. NA said he would use the squad to cover the two games over Xmas and did not, as it turns out to no benefit. Big game next week so fingers crossed no injuries.

Good to see Miquel get a chance albeit out of position. Would also like to have seen Lafferty given a start, but possibly he is not 100% fit.

Tactically I am not sure what the game plan is with that line up.

 

[eatonparkboy]

This one is baffling. Hooper on his own. I understood the PNE CB's are big lads so he is going to need help.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Apparently Jerome had a mild illness, so didn't make the trip to a wet and cold Deepdale.

 

[eatonparkboy]

Nearly half time and I don't recall an attempt on or off apart from a Howson skyer!

 

[Canaryboy]

Blyth Spartans are 2-0 up against Birmingham! 

 

[eatonparkboy]

And it sounds like the new in word on Radio Norfolk is "heavy touch".

 

[SussexYellow]

That is about the size of it EPB. Commentary sounds as though all the threat is coming from PNE.

Stats confirm a dearth of shots from us. BBC stats suggest we are shading possession, but obviously not at the business end of the field.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Cup ties are always difficult. Derby are 0-0 at home against conference side Soutport.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Hoof ball not picked up and 1-0.

 

[eatonparkboy]

We definitely don't want a replay. We have injuries and important league games to come. I would love a good cup run as it shows a side is capable of winning. Come on . . . oops

Oh well goal to PNE.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Gallagher on loan from Leicester.

 

[dj161]

sounds like we've barely even threatened their goal, all my optimism after seeing our lineup seems to of been wiped out

 

[eatonparkboy]

It seems its all about consistency and momentum. We don't have either. Bournemouth make seven changes and its business as usual.

I find it difficult to describe our style. 

 

[Canaryboy]

sounds like we've barely even threatened their goal, all my optimism after seeing our lineup seems to of been wiped out

I know it is easy to say after the fact, but I actually thought the line up was bad news, we had not much at all to gain from playing a strong XI today. The Murphy's, Loza and Rudd should have started, as well as people like Lafferty who need to earn a place in the first team. 

 

[Canaryboy]

2-0, game over. 

 

[eatonparkboy]

Oh my Oh my

Going into the next game after another embarrassing loss.

 

[Dandy Mountfarto]

Its not really surprising though is it? We must have the worst cup record in the football league when compared to our league position. We should have just played the youth and reserves, at least then our first team players wouldn't be taking the confidence hit.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Both goals coming 20 seconds after a substitution according to BBC text. Lack of concentration? What was the point of fielding a full strength lineup? What has been achieved. Would have been better to give some of the squad players a run and if we lost it would have meant nothing. Our first team now have a morale sapping defeat to recover from and they are a game wearier. Very questionable decision

 

[eatonparkboy]

Our supporters leaving the ground early after a 250 mile journey. That is how poor we have been.