Norwich City vs Cardiff(away) Friday 1st December.

[Fenway Frank]

Though maybe his inability to get the best out of Olivieira is perhaps reminiscent of AN's inability to get the best out of Redmond

Not sure if any manager could get the best out of Oliveira at the moment without letting him do what he wants when he wants. We need a team player at the moment as well as someone who can score, the problem is we’ve got a team player in Jerome but he just doesn’t look like scoring.

 

[Canaryboy]

Well we need something to buy into. 

It felt like people bought into Farke, but now don't really understand what he is selling.

Probably unfair to put it all on him, so I'll say Webber and Farke.

Felt initially like basically we're going to sign a load of German players and coaches on the cheap and a couple of quality England U21 prospects on loan, because look... Huddersfield did it and won promotion.

Now what? Now we seem to be in the doom and gloom stage 4 months after the season kicked off, where our German 4th division bargains didn't turn us into promotion contenders, only now we've got to sell half of the squad because we aren't going to get our lucky promotion, and have to beg for money from a set of fans who are already among the most loyal in the country and pay some of the highest ticket prices in the land. n

And to top it off we're going to get a deficit denying former Labour shadow chancellor to be the one to ask you for money, but he isn't going to commit any of his own money despite earning millions in a taxpayer funded job, then cashing in on reality TV, and taking £90k for a few weeks work in his summer job.... where's his £90k to kick start the Academy Fund? One would assume that he could comfortably afford that. 

All I've heard from the AGM about Farke's contribution is a serious of mumbling incoherent answers to simple questions, including one where he said he started on the defense because it was "easier". I mean, Lambert would beat any manager alive in a mumble battle.... but you could just about get the gist. 

What I sense at the moment is that Farke is too nice to say the words "I need a striker", whereas Lambert would probably have said "Gie me a striker ur aam owt" 

The reality is that we can't afford another wave of compensation payments, so this is the hand we've been dealt. I just hope and pray for a successful January transfer window, that we can find a way to squeeze a few goals out of our strikers, and that we do the best that we can with whatever thin slice of revenue we raise is allocated to replacements. 

 

[GJP]

Though maybe his inability to get the best out of Olivieira is perhaps reminiscent of AN's inability to get the best out of Redmond

Not sure if any manager could get the best out of Oliveira at the moment without letting him do what he wants when he wants. We need a team player at the moment as well as someone who can score, the problem is we’ve got a team player in Jerome but he just doesn’t look like scoring.

Oliveira has shown he can do it in this league. Farke hasn't so much.

But people are prepared to back Farke but not Oliveira.

If all the clubs in this league had a vacancy in the striker department and a head coach vacancy would more clubs want Oliveira or Farke?

 

[Fenway Frank]

That depends, if you were a scout and had watched Oliveira the last few games would you want him ? 

I’m also not going to get too carried away or upset about donating cash for Colney as the club haven’t actually asked for any yet and there are no details about this. If they do go down that route no one will be forced to make a donation will they ?

 

[GJP]

That depends, if you were a scout and had watched Oliveira the last few games would you want him ? 

I’m also not going to get too carried away or upset about donating cash for Colney as the club haven’t actually asked for any yet and there are no details about this. If they do go down that route no one will be forced to make a donation will they ?

Same goes for Farke though based on our recent run.

Yeah, I haven't really given much thought to that. I'll wait to see what drops.

 

[hogesar]

Oliviera is a proven striker in this league. So is Jerome. Its not a coincidence theyre both struggling and the way we play is obviously a big part of that.

But since Oliviera has come back from injury im not sure hes won more than 3 balls in the air, even less sure hes jumped more than 10 times in 3 games. Its that laziness and lack of willing that is so infuriating when you have a decent player that you know can do better.

But I can appreciate its not been a fun role for the striker recently and even Jerome was lacking that fight before he got injured. 

 

[Fenway Frank]

I can’t remember the last time I saw a midfield player run beyond a striker, there’s no doubt that it must be difficult playing up front at the moment

 

[GJP]

I can’t remember the last time I saw a midfield player run beyond a striker, there’s no doubt that it must be difficult playing up front at the moment

That might improve with the return of Pritchard. Hopefully it will.

 

[morty]

That might improve with the return of Pritchard. Hopefully it will.

I think Farke had a clear plan as to the system he wanted to use, remember Maddison wasn't really on the scene at the beginning of the season, so I reckon Pritch was going to have the team built around him.

 

[GJP]

I think Farke had a clear plan as to the system he wanted to use, remember Maddison wasn't really on the scene at the beginning of the season, so I reckon Pritch was going to have the team built around him.

Pritch, in my opinion, has the best football brain at the club. He is the type you need around Oliveira.

 

[morty]

Pritch, in my opinion, has the best football brain at the club. He is the type you need around Oliveira.

I would add Naismith to that list, whatever you may think of what we spent etc, he is a clever footballer, and I wish he had been fit these last few months.

 

[GJP]

I would add Naismith to that list, whatever you may think of what we spent etc, he is a clever footballer, and I wish he had been fit these last few months.

He does take up good positions. But his legs seem to have gone and his lack of finesse won't be to Farke's liking in midfield.

So, as I've said in the past, the only place I can see him is off the forward (but not a 10).

 

[Canaryboy]

Wouldn't surprise me if Nelson to Wolves is still a go-er and that we'll be spending a few million on a striker to replace him in January. They are 1 point clear at the top, won't be shy in spending money to buy their promotion. 

Webber seemed to be talking down this window but I can see it being quite a big one to be honest.... wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see Oliviera, Tettey and Klose all leave. 

Season is dead (apart from perhaps a relegation battle),so the clear out will begin.

Morsy + Striker incoming if those three leave, Hanley to partner Zimmermann and Raggatt to take Klose's place in the squad?

Webber is going to want a bit of money to offer pay offs in the summer, Jarvis & McGovern, and to probably sweeten a Naismith departure (to Rangers?).

He's got a really tough job, no denying that. 

 

[Canaryboy]

Saw a video of a younger Naismith the other day on YouTube, and he actually used to run with the ball and beat players. So yeah, his legs have gone. Will find the video at some stage. We didn't sign the same Naismith that Everton brought down from Scotland, that much is certain. 

 

[Canaryboy]

I know its the SPL, but never really seen anything like this from Naismith... actually reminiscent of Paul McVeigh at his best (which was only about 2 seasons in fairness!),definitely looks like he has quicker feet. 

Unless of course the SPL really is that sh*t that Naismith would still look like that in a Kilmarnock shirt playing against Hibs, which is a possibility I'm not willing to entirely disregard  :lol:

 

[morty]

He does take up good positions. But his legs seem to have gone and his lack of finesse won't be to Farke's liking in midfield.

So, as I've said in the past, the only place I can see him is off the forward (but not a 10).

He could have been our Gary Oneill in our time of need, the slightly steely nasty streak that we need for some games.

 

[Din]

Been busy so haven't really been able to comment on the game, but can't really say a lot other than echo what others have said.

First half I thought we were good. Not exceptional but much more reminiscent of the Norwich team that was going away from home and picking up points earlier in the season, and certainly a lot better than we have been recently. We deserved the 1 goal lead and going into the 2nd half I was actually feeling pretty confident about us for the first time in a while. 

To fold in the way we did 2nd half was so poor, and to concede moments after the half started was pathetic. From then on I never fancied us even though we were having more of the ball.

Thought Vrancic was actually our best player, with Reed not too far behind. Stiepermann took his goal brilliantly as well. As others have said Nelson and Josh had shockers. If Nelson slips Wes in at 1-0 just before half time then the game could've been a completely different story. But he selfishly and pathetically cuts inside and hits a nothing shot at the 'keeper.

I was really annoyed by Farke this game I have to say. He left the substitutions far far too late. Pritchard and Wildschut should've been on the second it went 2-1. Instead he waited and waited until we eventually conceded a penalty. At that point I was thinking "For f*ck sake we've missed our chance to make changes". We get a lucky break in that he misses the penalty (although fair play to Gunn for having the balls to stay down the middle),and Farke still doesn't make a sub until we do concede a 3rd, by which point the game is dead. Even then he still doesn't bring on Wildschut or Jerome. I just don't understand his logic. Surely it's just common sense to try and change things when you look at how the game was going. Pritchard and Wildschut for Hoolahan and Murphy at 65/70 minutes would've been perfect, and I'm a bit confused as to why he didn't do it. I'm prepared to be patient as I've said before, with him and the team, but these are quite basic errors.

Hard to see where the next win is gonna come from at the moment. Next 2 games though are at home to Sheffield Wednesday and away to Leeds. If those games go the way they're expected to, we could find ourselves uncomfortably close to the bottom 3. Unlucky with injuries or not, we really do need to sort our form out.

 

[Canaryboy]

In think irrespective of whether you take a long term view or a short term view.... 16th in the table is unacceptable.

We've got current Ireland, Scotland, and Portugal international players, England Under 21's (3 of those I think?),and can actually line up with a back 4 which cost us £8.5m in recent history (assuming Franke did actually cost £2.5m). 

Oh, actually, I forgot about Klose... well over £10m then! 

Teams like Preston and Barnsley will consider us spoilt... I mean, they won't envy the sh*tstorm which is coming in the summer, but when was the last time they got to drop £2.5m on a centre back? (We've supposedly done it twice this season!). 

Jerome may be past his best, and Oliviera may be a selfish egotist who probably doesn't really fit us, but should be able to get both of those comfortably into double figures in this league and they've got 5 between them in 20 games.

Its always tough to manage a team with a shrinking budget, because you have to take influential people out of the dressing room (like Howson and Ruddy?),but there are many more difficult jobs in this division. 

I'm not saying that we should sack him, primarily because we simply don't have any money and replacing the coaching team would be extortionate again. How can we pay off another 4 or 5 people? We're begging for academy funds as it is.

Plus he's all nice and meek, so perhaps it suits Webber having a 'yes man' who doesn't moan about needing a striker, because we've still got a bit of pain to go through. Appoint Lambert today and I should think he'd be walking in January, within about an hour of us selling Maddison or Oliviera  :lol:

 

[morty]

Oh definitely, our position just now isn't acceptable, but the short term answer is neither to sack Farke or "Delia out" for that matter.

Bring Tettey, Trybull and Pritchard back into the mix and things will start to look a bit better. Jamal Lewis is playing tonight after 4 months out, come January I assume Ragget will be here, and I would like to see Ben Godfrey return. Add into that Todd Cantwell and Tristan Abrahams and we start to have a few options. Oh and sort Oliviera out too.

Long and skinny is that there is no way out of this other than to start winning games and calm the fans down.

 

[Canaryboy]

I think we should sell Oliviera if there is £10m offer on the table from Wolves to be honest (perhaps another couple of million if they seal promotion this season?). Not a team player, not loyal, and a bit injury prone... as simple as that. 

Buy a new striker, use some of it to pay off Jarvis or sweeten a McGovern or Naismith departure (not saying the latter couldn't do a job for us, but he's a drain on the finances). 

If we have to sell somebody substantial in this window (Webber isn't going to say if we do, is he) then Oliviera or Klose make the most sense to me. 

However we should only be allowing Tettey to leave in this window if we've 100% got his replacement lined up, he's worth a lot of points to us as things stand. 

Bit damning on the highly rated prospect Reed that we are so much better with an ageing injury-prone Tettey at the base though isn't it?