Norwich City v Leeds Utd Match Thread - Thank god for Raphinha!

[Cjay]

I'd say the bottom team beating the 4th from bottom team at home would be the teeniest tiniest shock in football history.

Unless Norwich don't win a game all season, they'll beat someone, what basis does a side 4th from bottom have to say "it cannot possibly be us".

They have lost 72% of there Premier league games under Farke and 17 of there last 20.

Their own fans chant derogatory things about how crap they are, an absolute joke team and their own fans know it.

Losing to Norwich in October won't send us down but the damage it will do to the players confidence and the message it sends out could.

Combine that with the fixtures we have coming up between now and Christmas this is must win in context imo.

Each to their own of course but imo not beating Norwich would be a disaster with potentially far reaching consequences.

After all the key to beating the drop is beating those around you.

We have played 14,15,16,18,19 and won once taking 5 points which is s**t let's be brutal.

[BGwhite]

We are one of the best at ending other teams winless runs , cards marked

Sent from my moto g(9) plus using Tapatalk

[Overman]

It's a must win game there's no two ways about it, winning breeds confidence and we need to start winning.

[The Subhuman]

Is Raph back for this one?

[Finnatic]

It's a must win game there's no two ways about it, winning breeds confidence and we need to start winning.

It’s a mustn’t lose game for me.
Wouldn’t surprise me if we lost as fate usually takes hold where Leeds are concerned.
I have a feeling we will win though.

[Byebyegeegee]

Must win game for me. Not that I think it’s a foregone conclusion, far from it, it will be tough like most Premier League games have been this season. Certainly there are no walkovers and obviously we won’t definitely be relegated if we lose as there will still be 28 more games to play, but results so far would indicate that they are the worst team in the league by a distance and if we don’t win what would that say about us?

A defeat to the bottom club and the rot may well and truly set in.

[1964white]

Is Raph back for this one?

May know tomorrow after Bielsa's press conference, Faaip.

[mentalcase]

Is Raph back for this one?

Might find out tomorrow, I reckon if fit, he might come on in second half if needed for roberts.

[whiteswan]

May know tomorrow after Bielsa's press conference, Faaip.

Hopefully Marcelo will keep his trap shut on that one! Surprise the enemy

[White Riot]

They have lost 72% of there Premier league games under Farke and 17 of there last 20.

Their own fans chant derogatory things about how crap they are, an absolute joke team and their own fans know it.

Losing to Norwich in October won't send us down but the damage it will do to the players confidence and the message it sends out could.

Combine that with the fixtures we have coming up between now and Christmas this is must win in context imo.

Each to their own of course but imo not beating Norwich would be a disaster with potentially far reaching consequences.

After all the key to beating the drop is beating those around you.

We have played 14,15,16,18,19 and won once taking 5 points which is s**t let's be brutal.

Correct Cjay an accurate assessment of how important it is to win this match

[White Riot]

We are one of the best at ending other teams winless runs , cards marked

Sent from my moto g(9) plus using Tapatalk

Yeah, we've been good at that for many seasons

[White Riot]

It's a must win game there's no two ways about it, winning breeds confidence and we need to start winning.

Agree, simples

[White Riot]

This match is the definition of a "must win".

If we can get the first goal early, which I expect we will, they will absolutely fold again, and their home crowd will turn on them and go toxic

If, by any chance, we lose this match then we're in for a relegation fight for the rest of the season. So if we roll up like we did at Southampton, which I don't think we will, then Norwich will be getting their first win of the season. The effect that would have on Bielsa and the players will be hugely negative.

I expect we get a comfortable win which will give us a little breathing space.

After this match we have:
Leicester
Spurs Away
BHA Away
Palace
Brentford
Chelsea Away
Citeh Away
Arsenal
LiVARpool (Pikeypool) Away
Villa

Seeing that this list takes us up to 20 matches, we need to spark ourselves by taking advantage of a woeful Norwich team, cos it ain't gonna get any easier than that folks


I expect MB will go with:

Meslier
Shackleton
Llorente
Cooper
Dallas
Phillips
Forshaw
Roberts
Raphinha
Rodrigo
James

[Chilli D]

MB has said Raphinha, Firpo and Shackleton all likely to be available. Phillips definitely available.
Bamford, Ayling and Koch all still out with a return date unknown.

[Cjay]

MB has said Raphinha, Firpo and Shackleton all likely to be available. Phillips definitely available.
Bamford, Ayling and Koch all still out with a return date unknown.

Yay

[Lumiukko]

MB has said Raphinha, Firpo and Shackleton all likely to be available. Phillips definitely available.
Bamford, Ayling and Koch all still out with a return date unknown.

Great news, hopefully Rapha on the right and Firpo back to LB, meaning Dallas, whom I feel is playing himself back into form of late, can get back into midfield and add some steel and competitiveness there. Much more balanced.

However, MB being MB may leave both out or not risk a full 90 from them. I'd personally like to see:

Meslier
Shacks
Llorente
Struijk
Firpo
KP
Dallas
Rodrigo
Rapha
James
Gelhardt

Expecting MB to have Cooper rather than Struijk, and Rodrigo up front with Roberts playing as #10.

[Boo Radley]

Great news, hopefully Rapha on the right and Firpo back to LB, meaning Dallas, whom I feel is playing himself back into form of late, can get back into midfield and add some steel and competitiveness there. Much more balanced.

However, MB being MB may leave both out or not risk a full 90 from them. I'd personally like to see:

Meslier
Shacks
Llorente
Struijk
Firpo
KP
Dallas
Rodrigo
Rapha
James
Gelhardt

Expecting MB to have Cooper rather than Struijk, and Rodrigo up front with Roberts playing as #10.

I’d settle for that team Lumiukko, but I fear you’re right about Cooper and Roberts starting. I would have less of a concern about Raphinha and Philips playing 90 minutes if required.

I really want to see Gelhardt getting at least a full half on Sunday. As I, and others, have already said elsewhere, I can’t wait see him in action with Philips and Raphinha in particular backing him up. It’s also much harder for Norwich to watch two attacking, dribbling dynamos than crowding/smothering one, namely Raphinha.

[1964white]

Gelhardt not involved in our U23's game v Arsenal at ER tonight.

[DDB220]

This is a must not lose rather than a win - not for the points but to prevent the fans losing faith. It is easy to suggest MB has an abundance of grace and confidence. But in this fickle sport it can disappear far quicker than it arrives.
If he plays the same players and they are as ineffective as they have tended to be that will add fuel to the fire.
There is a difference in maintaining faith in players in the Championship in the belief that they can overcome a loss of form - there are plenty of poor teams to turn it around against. That is not the case with the EPL. Failure to get a result against the bottom club who are regularly getting trounced will have a demoralising effect throughout the club and support. Which the press and social media will have a field day with - multiplying the negativity.
The key with this team is to not concede first. If that happens Norwich will park that proverbial bus and we have struggled to craft a real threat against 11 players sat in their own half.
I hope if MB continues to play Roberts, Klich and Harrison when there are other options it does pay off. Am I confident that will be the case - I was before Southampton- but my confidence is diminishing after every game.

[Cjay]

Just in case anyone thinks not beating Norwich is ok.