Norwich City vs Birmingham City (Home) Wednesday 9th September.

[morty]

Not actually much between the two teams in the form table, but I think I would be expecting a win here. We have shown that we have it takes to win games, but we need to settle down to a bit of consistency now, as that is what brings you success in this league, stringing results together.

Hard to see what big Phil would change from the last game, but with 3 games a week he is likley to shuffle the pack a bit, I wonder if it is time for a Maghoma return? That said, Slimane was decent at number 10 last time out, so who knows? I'm going to assume that Brum will come here with a low block, so will be interesting how we break that down.

2-0 to the City.

 

[Sonyc]

Not actually much between the two teams in the form table, but I think I would be expecting a win here. We have shown that we have it takes to win games, but we need to settle down to a bit of consistency now, as that is what brings you success in this league, stringing results together.

Hard to see what big Phil would change from the last game, but with 3 games a week he is likley to shuffle the pack a bit, I wonder if it is time for a Maghoma return? That said, Slimane was decent at number 10 last time out, so who knows? I'm going to assume that Brum will come here with a low block, so will be interesting how we break that down.

2-0 to the City.

Good that you've some confidence. I've no idea what might happen.
You could be right in that we will see Maghoma at some point. Slimane just appears to have something unpredictable about him and how many times have we seen one of his touches set up an assist? A few. Won't be an easy game you'd imagine. We haven't drawn a game yet so that's my take.

You can't take out Toure but I still want to see Kvist start (and in my ideal a 442 with both he and Mo up top) ...or even a 433. Yet PC doesn't seem to do that (certainly from the off). You tend to get the latter formation when you know you're really good and solid in the middle. And I'm unconvinced still that we are.

Interesting game though. A win at home will be welcome and possibly start something of a run perhaps.

 

[morty]

Big Phil shuffles the pack. Makama on the bench!

 

[morty]

I'm really not sure if I know if that was a great performance or a terrible one!

It felt like we were really under the cosh for the first 20 minutes, fair play to them they came to try and win the game, and then all of a sudden we were 2 nil up, and I struggled to understand why. Did we know they would bring the game to us and we were happy to just soak it up and let incisive passing speak for us? Or did we get a bit lucky, as I don't think their goal was offside (Not watched it back yet, just back from the pub) and frankly it could have been a very different game had that been given.

Maybe I need to have more faith, because on reflection, there were some very good performances out there. Kvistgaarden brings a lot to the lone striker role, strong and works so hard, Diallo was brilliant, such a cutting edge that we need to break down teams, Brooks was excellent again, he is setting very high standards. Mclean I thought didn't have a great game overall, but did make important contributions, Mattsson was more like we expect from him. I thought Kovacevic was excellent tonight, did what he had to do, and did it well, good punching especially.

The ref was dreadful, for both teams, gave cards when they weren't needed, and didn't when they were, just really poor. Most pleasing though was that they came to rough us up a bit, and we stood up to the test.

So pleasing to see Crnac and Makama back playing, we have ridiculous choice in the attacking department.

We definitely could have lost that though!

 

[morty]

 

[morty]

Just watched those highlights, that Diallo goal is filthy.

 

[Sonyc]

I'm really not sure if I know if that was a great performance or a terrible one!

It felt like we were really under the cosh for the first 20 minutes, fair play to them they came to try and win the game, and then all of a sudden we were 2 nil up, and I struggled to understand why. Did we know they would bring the game to us and we were happy to just soak it up and let incisive passing speak for us? Or did we get a bit lucky, as I don't think their goal was offside (Not watched it back yet, just back from the pub) and frankly it could have been a very different game had that been given.

Maybe I need to have more faith, because on reflection, there were some very good performances out there. Kvistgaarden brings a lot to the lone striker role, strong and works so hard, Diallo was brilliant, such a cutting edge that we need to break down teams, Brooks was excellent again, he is setting very high standards. Mclean I thought didn't have a great game overall, but did make important contributions, Mattsson was more like we expect from him. I thought Kovacevic was excellent tonight, did what he had to do, and did it well, good punching especially.

The ref was dreadful, for both teams, gave cards when they weren't needed, and didn't when they were, just really poor. Most pleasing though was that they came to rough us up a bit, and we stood up to the test.

So pleasing to see Crnac and Makama back playing, we have ridiculous choice in the attacking department.

We definitely could have lost that though!

I think that summary is how I saw the game. Did we deserve the win? Shaded it maybe. Their goal didn't look.offside and even Clement said the same. The ref didn't handle the game at all well. There were cases for penalties - maybe not clear cut but again looked suspect and certainly not a booking (for Schawartau, assume it was for what he said). Refereeing has gone backwards and I now expect a shocker and just hope it's not for us. We've had some bad decisions go our way this season, unlike last.
Hard to give a MOTM. It was a fighting performance all round. Chrisene was decent as was Vlad's distribution. Birmingham looked competitive but that was it really. And the Jovon tussles were my particular highlight.