Norwich v Blackpool (Home) 7th February 2015

[Din]

Have to feel for Blackpool fans, whose team has just been completely destroyed over the last couple of seasons. That team today would struggle in League 1, let alone in the Championship, and in the end we didn't even need to play our best in order to win comfortably.
 
I felt it was more of an efficient performance from us today, about getting the job done rather than going all out attack on them and trying to smash them. Our front 4 of Redmond, Hooper, Hoolahan and Grabban were all excellent today, and I thought Russell Martin at centre back was superb as well. It's frustrating really that the teams above us seem to keep winning, but we are slowly closing the gap, and if we can get 4 points from the next 2 games that would be a great return. 
 
One thing that confuses me, is if Jerome has a hamstring problem then why at 3-0 up would you bring him up with 20 minutes left? I know we have a lot of games coming up, but it's surely not worth risking a serious injury that could rule him out for months. Talking of injuries though, I doubt we're going to see Bassong for a while. Looked in a lot of pain when he went off, and they were saying on the radio after the game that he looked in a lot of discomfort just walking across the pitch. It's a shame as well because he looked good before he went off.
 
Canary Call after the game as well was hilarious. Nobody told me it was going to be a special moronic edition. All these people saying how poor Blackpool were, I mean what do they expect the team to do? Not turn up at protest of playing such a poor team? You can only beat what's in front of you. The guy who said that we're missing Ricky van Wolfswinkel genuinly made me laugh out loud on the bus though

 

[Suffolk Canary]

Well that was a fun way to spend an afternoon    

As enjoyable as that was, we need to focus on the real tests ahead.  Just looked at the fixture list,  our next 5 games are all incredibly tough.  If we can get 3 wins, i'll be bloody delighted (as long as 1 of them is the scum!)

 

[morty]

Cracking win, and no need to try and find excuses about how poor Blackpool were.

And the day was topped off by bumping into a poster from here, in the pub, GerryfromRomania, over here for a game! Lovely, lovely chap!

It would be good to meet more of you!

 

[Killiecanary]

Din, I think Cam Jerome's problem is a tight hamstring, which is a bugger of an injury to manage! If you rest it too much then you risk it tightening further, if you play through it there is always a chance it might pull or tear and you're out for 4-6 weeks.

My understanding (which may be wrong - I'm not a qualified physiotherapist!!) is that,the management are trying to nurse it though with some limited game time but not overdoing it. It might work it might not. There is every chance if he plays it will go pop however they try to manage it...

Hamstrings really are catch 22 injuries, but I think more often than not something twangs and I suspect we are likely to lose him for a period of time at some point unfortunately...

 

[Yellow Fever]

Yes, the hamstring is a worry, but at least Hooper and Grabban paired up well with each other and with Wes and Jonny. Fingers crossed. 

 

[SussexYellow]

Cracking win, and no need to try and find excuses about how poor Blackpool were.

And the day was topped off by bumping into a poster from here, in the pub, GerryfromRomania, over here for a game! Lovely, lovely chap!

It would be good to meet more of you!

Yes good win and a couple of cracking goals.

A meet up (again - as we have met once) would be good. But I guess we all have our pre/post game routines and meet ups which get in the way. But if we could organise something for a few of us to meet that would be good. After Wigan game would work for me. Do you still go to the Nelson with the other site crowd?

 

[morty]

Yes good win and a couple of cracking goals.

A meet up (again - as we have met once) would be good. But I guess we all have our pre/post game routines and meet ups which get in the way. But if we could organise something for a few of us to meet that would be good. After Wigan game would work for me. Do you still go to the Nelson with the other site crowd?

Yes mate, we are in the Nelson after every home game, the pre game routing has shifted to a meal in All Bar one! Yes, would be great to see you again!

 

[morty]

The passing for that second goal!!

 

[eatonparkboy]

What were the officials like yesterday?

Looking at the highlights, on another day, Grabban might have been given offside for our second wonderful goal, a la Wilshire's against us last season.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/830256/Live/England-Championship-2014-2015-Norwich-Blackpool

They have Hooper up front in a 4231. Is this accurate? Thought most said it was a 4141 with Hooper at 'centre mid'

 

[Surgeryman]

formation was a clear 4141 with BJ deep and redmond, howson hooper wes from right to left, i mean right to middle.

It got a bit congested in the middle at times as bj pushed forward, grabban dropped deep and wes came in from the left. Good inter-movement between the 4 as for hoopers middle goal so attacking wise it looks like a good option.

As you would expect from 70% possession we were completely in control, and any dangerous moments cam from overconfidence, indiscipline or arrogance on our part.

Downsides, BJ not really the deep cm libero and his lack of getting or staying in position will cause us problems against the better teams. We dont have a left option - wes was ok today - when he came central - I know shock. At times the mid 4 were slow in working back lost possession which again better teams will exploit. Hooper was great today, working off a good grabban as part of the midfield - not sure if that will work when we need to be tighter.

Progress, with slow signs that the new system is being adapted to, but still plenty to work on. Based on todays efforts I would start on Tuesday

Tettey

Redmond Howson Hooper BJ

If dorrans signs i can see tettey, redmond hooper dorrans BJ next sat.

A quick word on andreu - didnt have much time to shine in a game that was already over, but his work rate was seriously impressive and he is not afraid to shoot. I can see him pushing Hooper or howson hard for their starting place quite quickly. He will not be a lone striker.

Agree with this. Overall a decent performance. Wes played well but as we all know he is not a natural left sided player. Redmond good ( superb free kick) and Hooper took his chances well. There were periods in the game though where we did give the ball away cheaply and you are spot on to identify this as other teams would punish us. Bradley Johnson needs to focus on doing his job I.e breaking up play and the passing simply. He is not Pirlo! When he does this he looks a better player. Prefer Tettey or O Neil.
Defence was OK. Bassong looked up for it until he went of. I'm not a fan of Whittaker but once he settled he also did well. A lot of people are raving about Grabban. He worked hard without doubt but his decision making, first touch and finishing leave a lot to be desired for me still, but that is just my view. Much prefer Jerome. Still not convinced by Howson overall but he was Ok yesterday

If that is ANs system, I would go

Ruddy

R Martin, Turner Bassong, Olssen

Tettey

Redmond, Hooper, Howson Hoolahan

Jerome

 

[gerryinromania]

Good afternoon one and all...Reeling from a super weekend, plus I've just got my laptop back from a serious malware illness.. Been here in Kings Lynn just over 2 weeks now. Long time since I've seen a win at the Carra..Blackpool game the only one I'll get to see this trip, so I'm well happy..The team played well, and were supported..Quite impressed with the work rate and passing. Must say that the 2nd goal was superb.If this had been scored by any of the money clubs, then it would been broadcast so many times..Andreu looks as though we may have a player on our hands. No complaints about any of the team or the tactics..Super game for me to come back to...Buuttt. The bloody yebbuts were still there. It really did jar a couple of them off,sitting near me..Manager is second rate, Whitts and Grabban shouldn't be any where near the squad, and how dare Redders score at the end..I did point out to one yebbut, the way to the toilet, so that he may relieve his frustrations....After the game, to the Nelson, where I was introduced to Lappinitup, who then introduced me to Morty, many folks from the pinkun site, that are know by our members here.Nutty Nigel, Graham Humphreys, Duncan Edwards,Til..I apologise for those names that I have missed out. What a super day for me..Many thanks to you all. Yesterday was the whisky distillery, tomorrow, Christmas Day. Super weekend..Sorry this is long, but it's well meant, and I couldn't condense it..Keep happy...Gerry in Romania