Norwich City vs Brentford(home) Friday 22nd December.

[morty]

Game one of four winnable games over the festive period that could be pivotal to how the january transfer window / the rest of the season pans out.

If Oliviera hasn't got his head straight then I would like to see Jerome return, he can buy time and space for Pritchard to get back in the goals.

It will be interesting to see if Jamal Lewis is involved.

I know we always want to win, but this really feels now that we NEED to win.  

 

[Fenway Frank]

Agree about Jerome but Farke just doesn’t seem to want to give him a start. Four games in 8 days though, changes will be made, should be interesting. I can’t see Pritchard playing all four games either, Wes will probably get a start somewhere. Hopefully Tettey will get some game time too. I would take 8/9 points from those matches.

 

[GJP]

Heart hopes for a win followed by a few more over Christmas and then a run to the play-offs.

Head says if you were looking at any other club you'd be saying no chance, midtable at best.

 

[morty]

Agree about Jerome but Farke just doesn’t seem to want to give him a start. Four games in 8 days though, changes will be made, should be interesting. I can’t see Pritchard playing all four games either, Wes will probably get a start somewhere. Hopefully Tettey will get some game time too. I would take 8/9 points from those matches.

Jerome has been injured, and he really didn't look fully fit yet when he came on at Leeds, but I am starting to think a 70% fit Jerome may be better than a sulking, non scoring Oliviera.  Oh yeah forgot about Tettey! We have an almost fully fit squad for this run of games, so no excuses.

 

[morty]

Oh of course the return of Canos, the "I told you so" brigade will be rubbing their hands with glee, if he has a good game 

 

[hogesar]

Heart hopes for a win followed by a few more over Christmas and then a run to the play-offs.

Head says if you were looking at any other club you'd be saying no chance, midtable at best.

we would have to basically have a 100% christmas period. Unlikely but with the teams involved not impossible.

 

[Dubai Mark]

Yes I agree with those comments about Nelson, whilst its clear that with his mind right and motivated there is a very decent striker there, its not what we are getting. He in my view has to be the first out in January, as if I was a team collegue I would be getting pissed by his attitude by now.  

As for Brentford, underestimate at our peril.... 

 

[Fenway Frank]

No Wes or Jerome, that fully fit squad didn’t last long ?. Looks like we’re stuck playing Oliveira with Watkins as the only possible replacement unless one of the U23’s makes the bench

 

[hogesar]

No Wes or Jerome, that fully fit squad didn’t last long ?. Looks like we’re stuck playing Oliveira with Watkins as the only possible replacement unless one of the U23’s makes the bench

Naismi..? Sorry, couldn't say that with a straight face.

 

[Dubai Mark]

Well I'm going to say it regardless of the inevitable negative reaction...BUT...I would actually love to see Naismith back ! 

 

[GJP]

Love?

 

[Fenway Frank]

Dubai, who would you leave out so you could play him ?

 

[dj161]

can someone tell me why the game is on tonight, I presumed it was on sky being on a friday night, but apparently not, anyone know why its been moved?

 

[GJP]

can someone tell me why the game is on tonight, I presumed it was on sky being on a friday night, but apparently not, anyone know why its been moved?

To put us out of our misery a day earlier.

 

[hogesar]

To put us out of our misery a day earlier.

im not sure i feel any better for it though.

First game ive heard Delia and Board out chants though. Interesting the fans have gone straight for them over the manager and Webber mind.

 

[GJP]

I think they've all got something to answer for now. 

As for the "football" side of it tonight... thought Nelson had a good go at it but wtf were Maddison, Pritchard and Watkins doing? Not a lot. And part of that comes from the manager. That setup simply is not going to win games (or enough games) at this level.

You only had to look at the first half, Brentford attacked with 3 or 4. We barely attacked at all and when we did it was with 1.

Anyone who think this is a transition that will look better next season and after needs to wake up.

 

[hogesar]

I think they've all got something to answer for now. 

As for the "football" side of it tonight... thought Nelson had a good go at it but wtf were Maddison, Pritchard and Watkins doing? Not a lot. And part of that comes from the manager. That setup simply is not going to win games (or enough games) at this level.

You only had to look at the first half, Brentford attacked with 3 or 4. We barely attacked at all and when we did it was with 1.

Anyone who think this is a transition that will look better next season and after needs to wake up.

Yeah i think Nelson was a bit in and out of it but he certainly wasnt the problem tonight. And he had little to work with too tbh.

In terms of the manager its a fair point. What was maddisons role and how did it differ with Pritchards. Was Watkins job to get to the byline and cross or act as a second striker? He done neither well anyway. 

When Hucks speaks I listen. And hes right that basically no teams will feel like they were under the cosh playing against us. Too much is infront of them.

Vrancic, to be fair was the only player that played a single ball in behind the defence and were the only ones that looked threatening.

Maddison can come deep as much as he likes and turn a player in and out but the oppositon dont care, hes hurting no one doing it on the half way line.

 

[GJP]

Indeed. At one point Maddison did some little trick in our half and the guy next to me marvelled "That's brilliant" but every time Vrancic got the ball he was angry with him.

Would like to know what Wildschut has done so wrong after being part of our good run to being almost totally overlooked in the bad run. He was worrying the opposition and now we don't worry the opposition.

 

[hogesar]

Watkins should not be getting in ahead of Wildshut, especially at home where we should be taking the game to the opposition. Dont get me wrong he has his weaknesses but he goes past players with ease and at the moment no one else can offer that.

 

[GJP]

Yup. if I was an opposing defender I'd rather play against Watkins than Wildschut.

It's just so easy. You look at the front 4 and none of them are running past you. Nelson can take defenders on but he's not what you'd call pacey. But it's become clear over recent weeks that DF is stubborn and it is costing us.