Norwich City v Leeds Utd Match Thread

[1964white]

I thought he did alright as well 64

Thank you, Chilli, especially when you consider the circumstances. We had lost our two main centre-mids, playing away against a team in form, plus JR had played very few minutes lately.

[1964white]

But I don't think from watching Tanaka last night and reading about him when we signed him he is a 4 either.

Another one thrown in the deep end who performed well.

14 positive pieces of play including an excellent cross, plus a lovely pass to either Bogle or Gnonto who were caught offside.

[1964white]

I'm ok with the result, the performance less so. I know there's a school of thought the performance doesn't matter only the result but it's not one I subscribe to, play poorly often enough and those close wins will turn to draws and the draws to losses..

We had excuses last night, without three players who would walk into our first XI.

A point was a good result in the end.

The thought of a Norwich victory, who had one shot on target (a penalty we gave them) would have been galling.

[The Subhuman]

Tanaka was excellent, covered a lot of ground. He was my 3 in the MOTM IIRC. Not as good a 4 as Gruev who was nowhere near as bad as 64 made out, he even started off the move well that Gnonto hit the post on while injured

[Cjay]

Another one thrown in the deep end who performed well.

14 positive pieces of play including an excellent cross, plus a lovely pass to either Bogle or Gnonto who were caught offside.

I agree I thought he did well.

My point was thoigh that DF has had a new midfield structure enforced upon him

It doesn't suit Mr Safety 1st.

Case in point this

Amps and Gruev are barely on nodding terms with our attacking third.

[Cjay]

We had excuses last night, without three players who would walk into our first XI.

A point was a good result in the end.

The thought of a Norwich victory, who had one shot on target (a penalty we gave them) would have been galling.

No no no

Injuries aren't excuses for any manager it's part of football.

Burnley had 6 or 7 players out when they beat us.

Norwich had 4 or 5 injured yesterday as well.

Injuries are never an excuse.

[1964white]

You didn't miss much. We were the better team, Norwich dangerous on the break (a bit like Burnley match first half after Burnley got their goal). Subs seemed to ruin our momentum but completely understandable as to why they were done given the hectic nature and our injury list.

I didn't miss the obvious good work from certain players, watching again this morning.

Gnonto stood out, lets hope Willy stays fit.

Rothwell & Tanaka did extremely well when you consider the circumstances.

Rodon & Struijk were solid, Pascal had a few dopey moments.

Ranazani, Bogle & Aaronson were lively & are settling into their roles in this Leeds team.

Joseph & Firpo not involved enough, one of their poorest games this season.

Meslier is Meslier, other goalies would have saved that penalty, plus two poor passes/kicks.

Second-half subs ineffective, only six decent touches between them. Bamford had three of them, a defensive header & a tackle.

[1964white]

No no no

Injuries aren't excuses for any manager it's part of football.

Burnley had 6 or 7 players out when they beat us.

Norwich had 4 or 5 injured yesterday as well.

Injuries are never an excuse.

Were they key players, though?

Have they lost their influential captain?

The heart of our midfield has been ripped out.

I don't llke to moan about officials, but that referee was a hindrance with his inconsistent decisions.

Farke has been left with a poor hand by our board, who didn't do enough in the summer transfer window, now he's having to manage with one arm tied up his back, it could get worse as we are not far from a bare bones situation now!

[The Subhuman]

I think if you go into a season well prepared then injuries are an excuse, we didn't come in prepared letting a lot of established quality leave and not replacing it. That's less bad luck than poor planning. We were and are open to squad issues

[Jaydog]

No idea why Joffy got involved in that playground push & shove right in front of Farke. Cant stand that sort of thing.

[The Subhuman]

No idea why Joffy got involved in that playground push & shove right in front of Farke. Cant stand that sort of thing.

Frustration? He's getting pity or time wasting minutes and maybe wants to impress so is trying to hard. Any substitution in the last 5 minutes or so is either to waste time or panic.

[Jaydog]

Frustration? He's getting pity or time wasting minutes and maybe wants to impress so is trying to hard. Any substitution in the last 5 minutes or so is either to waste time or panic.

I doubt Farke was impressed.
Just a bit silly when you’ve had so little time on the pitch in recent times.

[The Subhuman]

I doubt Farke was impressed.
Just a bit silly when you’ve had so little time on the pitch in recent times.

Doesn't bother me, but you're right Farke strikes me as the type that would frown on it...

[Cjay]

Were they key players, though?

Have they lost their influential captain?

The heart of our midfield has been ripped out.

I don't llke to moan about officials, but that referee was a hindrance with his inconsistent decisions.

Farke has been left with a poor hand by our board, who didn't do enough in the summer transfer window, now he's having to manage with one arm tied up his back, it could get worse as we are not far from a bare bones situation now!

I don't know the in depth pecking order of the Norwich squad.

All of the players injured either started or came off the bench for them before injury so clearly part of the normal matchday squad.

We'd all have liked more signings but have we forgotten normal Championship reality?

Last season wasn't a normal Championship squad, we were and Farke was very lucky.

You only have to look at our rivals to see the ludicrous strength he was afforded.

Our rivals on Friday top of the league Sunderland bought 1 player off the bench who Farke deemed surplus, Ian Poveda, another one was on the bench in Leo Hjelde.

Luke Ayling has started every game and Captains 6th placed Middlesbrough.

Jaidon Anthony is first choice for 2nd placed Burnley and Conor Roberts pre injury was the 1st choice right back.

Djed Spence played 45 minutes for Spurs at Old Trafford other day.

This season was always going to bring us a smaller budget and a lesser squad, this is what a Championship squad looks like.

The only teams who carry deep squads are 1st season relegation ones, after season 1 clubs can't afford it.

Few injuries and kids on the bench.

Can't really complain about the squad when we had a ludicrously deep squad last season and didn't make the most of it.

Owners probably saw it a needless expense this season.

I agree on the ref.

[1964white]

Tanaka was excellent, covered a lot of ground. He was my 3 in the MOTM IIRC. Not as good a 4 as Gruev who was nowhere near as bad as 64 made out, he even started off the move well that Gnonto hit the post on while injured

I've just watched the first 18 minutes.

Indeed, Gruev did start the move with a simple forward pass for Gnonto's shot against the post.

2 forward short passes
1 interception
1 tackle

1 lost possession
1 missed tackle
1 Crnac took out both Gruev & Tanaka with a delightful turn to run at our backline

Just noticed that Gruev was unlucky to pick up his injury as Sainz (I think) bumped into Ilia after he released the pass to Sargent for their penalty.

[1964white]

We'd all have liked more signings but have we forgotten normal Championship reality?

We have one of the smallest squads in the championship.

One decent No.9.
Three CBs, one injured
Three DMs, two injured.
Not a proper No.10

Far too lightweight.

Looking at the yellow cards situation, suspensions could kick in as well to compound our injury concerns,

[Cjay]

We have one of the smallest squads in the championship.

One decent No.9.
Three CBs, one injured
Three DMs, two injured.
Not a proper No.10

Far too lightweight.

Looking at the yellow cards situation, suspensions could kick in as well to compound our injury concerns,

As I said though Championship reality?

Norwich have 1 striker then an ancient and injured Ashley Barnes.

1 left back of any note whose a 20 year old kid.

1 natural holding midfielder whose injured.

We are now experiencing a normal Championship squad frustrating as that is.

Most managers at this level end up having to make do, Bielsa had to.

3rd choice cb was a 30 year old midget fb.

His left back was winger

Stuart Dallas was an average Championship winger who ended up having to fill in at cm and full back.

And one of his most used attacking subs now plays for Northampton.

Championship clubs don't usually have the bench we had last season, this is normal and most clubs end up just praying they don't get injuries and if they do they make do

Farke will have to make do like most Championship managers do.

[Jaydog]

What was your stance on the subs last night Cjay?
Judging by your comments above you must have been in favour. With a small squad its safety first as far as planning ahead goes??

[1964white]

No idea why Joffy got involved in that playground push & shove right in front of Farke. Cant stand that sort of thing.

Joffy's antics were one of the things that annoyed me last night.

Needless yellow cards for Struijk (pulling attacker's arm), Bogle (foul) & Gnonto for mouthing the referee. Willy already on three bookings.

Struijk stupid pass & lost possession in a dangerous area.

Still think Rodon should have stood on his feet, Sargent was going nowhere until he turned Joe, was surprised the ref didn't book him. He is already on three yellows.

Meslier non-penalty save & poor distribution.

Bamford looking like a fish out of water in an attacking sense.

Piroe snail-like pace, constantly giving the ball away.

[1964white]

What was your stance on the subs last night Cjay?
Judging by your comments above you must have been in favour. With a small squad its safety first as far as planning ahead goes??

Farke already fearful & in a corner due to the small squad handed to him.

I'm pretty sure Farke would have preferred to leave his pacey wingers Gnonto & Ramazani on the pitch to finish off Norwich if not for a third match coming up on Friday, with six men injured Daniel was right to play safe.