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I'm getting a strong taste of sour grapes on this and other threads. Preston did a job on us, just like we have done to others throughout the season. Their task was made easier by the absence of Vrancic in particular, but they outplayed the team we put in front of them. They are one of the top two form teams in the league. Give them their due.

Slight concern. Immediately after criticising lambert for a lack of class, complaining about officiating and decisions is probably not wise. I did expect a little bit of praise towards Alex Neil and Preston, who lets face it, got it spot on and deserved to win. I have every confidence that Farke will remain positive and maintain the feel good factor within the dressing room. Last nights result isn't hugely significant in the grand scheme of things. It may actually be blessing in disguise. What is important is mental recovery for the challenge on Saturday. No doubt, fatigue in this area was a contributing factor last night. And understandable too given the high profile games recently.

I don't think you can avoid thinking about promotion at the moment. We are in the top two with a fixture list that looks gift wrapped. Of course we cannot take it for granted. And we probably will lose games and maybe only end up in the play offs. I would take that even though we are showing as much promise as anyone. Go back to August and the pre-season expectations followed by an awful start and predictions included relegation and most were very little change from last season. And then a beautiful butterfly emerged from an ugly caterpillar chrysalis. So even if we don't go up, this season is already a resounding success.

Reality check We are still 2nd Only 1 point off top No real damage to GD 32 games, 60 points Still in our own hands Keep the faith

https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2019/02/12/Free-beer-for-Norwich-City-season-ticket-holders For those of you who don't drink - I'll be sitting on the wall outside Morrisons after the game collecting for my newly formed beer bank. All donations gratefully received. 🤣

Sounds like Norwich's performance on Sunday 😁

Exactly what it says! Mind you, I'm speaking for fans from 50+ years ago ...........................

As Bethnal has said, Tettey and Trybull was very successful last season but that was during our run where we often packed men behind the ball and won a series of games primarily thanks to a breakaway goal or a piece of Maddison magic. For me, the reason it is not working this season is two fold. The first is that the way we are playing relies on one of those holding midfielders being able to move the ball quickly to spread the play from the back. the second, which is really linked to the first is that teams have started to catch on that the way to play against us is a high press to try and win the ball back from our defensive midfielders high up the pitch. Teams like Preston have fit and quick players able to do this. Leitner and Vrancic have the game and the passing ability to play their way out of or through/around the press which often leads to us having fantastic counter attacking situations or have the composure not to give the ball away when placed under such pressure. Tettey and Trybull do not always have this and thus when we have the pair of them together and they are faced by a side applying a high press they will sometime panic and give the ball away. To be fair to them that's not their fault its simply not their strength. When we play one of them next to Vrancic or Leitner its less of an issue as they have an easy outlet but in combo they can get penned in and give the ball away. Thats my take on it anyway.

Sorry, that was a more in general point and not aimed directly at you nutty. What you say is actually what I have been saying on here also. These are good stats to see trends but are not going to tell you what will or won’t happen tomorrow. For me, the trends suggests that Pukki (and Norwich) are overachieving in finishing. When that stops is anyone’s guess - but I do believe in ‘reversion to the mean’.

When people talk about expected goals or 'XG' it is a stat based on the % of a chance becoming a goal. Generally this number will have been settled on by looking at a large number of similar chances in terms of position, distance, covering defenders etc etc (all quite complex). So the goal first Pukki scored against Ipswich would have a pretty low XG rating as most of the time you'd expect it wouldn't go in- he hit it perfectly into the one part of the goal the keeper couldn't reach with pressure from a covering defender. Alternatively the chance he scored v Leeds would have a very high XG- basically an open goal from 6 yards, you'd expect him to bury that most times.

I'm still of the view of a top 2 finish. I have been since December. And for all the analysis (which I love), I have my intuition and eyes. Both show me we are one of two outstanding football teams in this league. And I'm enjoying our performances this year as much as any year in the past. It's fascinating. It's a cracking league is the Championship. Yes, West Brom and Sheff Utd are thereabouts but just are not at our level. I could be wrong and no problem if so.

I want to see some energy from the start so would introduce Cantwell. Leitner in too at some stage. I have a feeling we will want to put last night right in the first half.

Go to the planner, on channel 403, select the live game and it'll bring up the other games, then record the one you want.

Godfrey’s ability to bring the ball out of defence and beat the first line of the opposition’s press is vital. Hanley and Zimmermann together just won’t work with the system Farke plays. If Farke wants Tettey and Trybull together he needs to change the system. They don’t have the passing ability to play out from the back. Norwich looked better when they switched to a back 3 as Buendia came more central and acted as a focal point.

No one's denying that Preston didn't do well although they didn't outplay us for any more than 30 minutes of the game.

I know you are upset by the defeat but you sound like a right mard ****. If this had happened at the other end and Norwich had been 3-1 up you would have been screaming like a girl for the Preston player to be sent off. Anyway, City are still in an automatic position so calm down and I suggest you sleep on it before posting if it upsets you so much.

Not like DF. He needs his usual clear head to get us through this period with neither Vrancic nor Leitner available.

Having Rhodes there as an outlet made a huge difference 2nd half. Meant Preston couldn't press us as hard like in the first half. Not sure Bolton have the personell to do that. Think they will be more kick and rush with some dangerous big defenders. Our normal game will be far more suited to playing them. As for Tettey, I honestly didn't think he was bad tonight. He looked very useful 2nd half

poor old binners, pitch forks a wavin' then Reading score so now 10 points and 20 goals adrift mind you they still have fourteen games left, and as Sugar Ray Lambert says " aye'll chin ya, ewes b'stards theys lot of ya .............. 'hic'

Let's not act like Krul wouldn't do the exact same thing in that situation.

They both got booked.

Yes Aarons was annoyed and his actions were also ill-considered. All the half he was putting the ball on the spot for Rudd to take. Rudd did everything in real slow motion. Being a bit of an a*se.

What Aarons did was far more unnecessary.

OK, so it was not our night. Second half we dominated but didn't have the bit of luck needed with efforts off the line but overall we lacked the energy to turn it round. Full credit to the lads for competing to the end and another nice strike from Teemu. Important to pick ourselves up and win at Bolton. Three points from two away games is better than two draws. There will be plenty more twists and turns before the season is concluded.

stop worrying

On to Bolton, this one is water under the bridge. 27 points needed, 14 games. 8 wins 3 draws 3 defeats. eminently doable👍

I don't know how we not goals. OTBC

I'm beginning to wish I never posted this..............

Not sure what the likely sanctions are or what the rulebook says but, from previous FA performance, my money is on.... e) NONE OF THE ABOVE

FA Cup for me please where I can't see past - Newport County vs MANCHESTER CITY - AWAY WIN For our game a scorecast of Stiepermann to score first AND a correct score of Bolton 1 - 3 Norwich Good luck everyone. The very best of luck Crabby & Swindon 😀👍

I watched the game and saw the incident 'live' and immediately said he's dived. I also said (not long after that) Forest should be awarded a penalty for the shirt pull in the box. If I can see it slobbing on my couch, how on earth Lee Mason did not, defies belief. Both times his view was unhindered.

I don’t think anyone has ever said it is gospel. The thing that is so wonderful about football and for me lifts it above all other sports is its marginality. A team can be thoroughly out played but still win as goal events are so low in football. That doesn’t happen in most other sports.