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In a weird way this picture really pleases me. Nothing to do with the ref's positioning/whether he could see the "handball" etc. Take a look at Reading's second goal on Wednesday night - their player scores from a position pretty similar to this and there isn't one of our players within five yards of him as he takes the shot - contrast that to here where 3 or our players are diving in - straining every sinew - to block the shot. We were very unlucky that it ended up being a penalty, but I'll take this level of effort and commitment every time!

Its now almost 10 years since that momentous day, 3rd May 2009 to be precise, when City lost 4-2 to Charlton and the drop to L1 was confirmed. The fall out after that, with City on the pitch and City with its finances, was a desperate time indeed for all concerned with NCFC, none more so than Delia and Michael who, along with the board, had to deal with the huge downfall and somehow turn it around. At this time, and other times when City have been under the weather, Delia and Michael come in for huge amounts of stick from us fans. Of course City did turn things around very quickly in the next season or two, the incoming Paul Lambert building a team that gained promotion thru 2 divisions. A fair bit of that team survived thru the Hughton era well into the AN era, ironically its "well past its sell by date" tag being one of the contributing factors in seeing us relegated and in trouble back in the Champs. Once again Delia, Michael and the Board had to take pretty drastic action to stop the club sliding again, we all know the changes thats gone on the past couple years on and off the pitch. So here we are, 10 years on, once again on the cusp of promotion to the Prem, but with added delight in seeing our southern neighbours taking the drop we had a decade ago, and ironically with the same manager who was instrumental in our recovery. And of Delia and Michael? Very very few topics or posts about them through this season, typically the silence is golden when City are on the up. So i would just like to say, well done Delia and Michael and the Board for yet again giving us a great season and for having faith to put plans into action that are successful.

For a little perspective: all we have to do is match (or better) two of Sheffield Utd's results over the final 4 games and we are promoted. We would only need two wins if they win all four; if they draw or lose, we can do the same. They have only won one of their last four games and have only bettered our result once in the last 15 rounds of fixtures. While it feels like we've lost momentum, they have actually lost ground to us over the past month and are almost certain to finish third. We are still massive favourites to win the title and Leeds would have to win all four games to stand any real chance of beating us to it. If we really slip up then we are still highly likely to finish first or second. Leeds have only won four in a row once this season while Sheffield Utd have done it three times. In all likelihood, neither of them will reach 90 points and almost certainly not both. One win and one draw will probably be sufficient to claim the title. That would also make the final six games our worst form since the opening six games; we are almost certain to do better than that. Let's start with a win on Friday; but, rather than prematurely celebrating, let's get behind the team and give 100% support to help them get over the line!

Farke has the opportunity to change now, following imperfect results and a somewhat subdued and - at times - inefficient performance against Wigan. Reading was simply an outlier and on another day Norwich win 3-0 comfortably. To emphasise the ‘collective’ purpose and the ‘sum is greater than its parts’ mantra, it is reasonable to assume that either no change occur to reward the effort shown, or - for once - a few changes may be made at once to ensure no single individual is (or feels) targeted. To this effect a ‘refreshment’, based publicly on fitness, ‘load’ and the ‘Englische woche’ of multiple Easter games. To this effect I think both Leitner and Vrancic may now appear, with Maclean moving into a more attacking midfield where he is quite effective in terms of assist-goal end product (despite perhaps not being as smooth as some others). The only issue here is the ‘out ball’ that Stieperman provides and which is a dimension that no others have, bar Rhodes, though we have a tendency to go a little over-aerial when he is introduced. Krul Aarons Zimmerman Godfrey Lewis Leitner Trybull Hernandez Vrancic Maclean Pukki If Stieperman plays, then I suppose that he - at least nominally - drifts to the left side instead of Maclean, though - unfortunately - it may otherwise be that Leitner and Vrancic cannot get in the side together a bit á la Gerrard-Lampard. A solution might be more of a 4-3-3: Krul Aarons Zimmerman Godfrey Lewis Trybull (full back even higher, Trybull sitting even deeper) Leitner Vrancic Hernandez Pukki Stieperman (Buendia) That looks quite a dangerous side. Good defensive structure and possession outlets too... Parma

Are you serious ? Not lost in 10 8 wins always score ? Top of the league ? Lost 6 times all season. The players are full of confidence in doing what they aim to do. The only thing that will take the players confidence away is people with your attitude filling Carrow Road on Friday night.

I stand by my 2-pints-of-cider-fuelled accusation yesterday, he was a w@nker. Even the (very few) decisions he gave to us were wrong more than half the time. Worst refereeing performance I've seen live for over a decade. Plus, anyone who awards penalities in such an extravagant and self-important posing manner clearly has ego issues. Conference for you pls, ref. Don't drop your cards on the way down.

Buendia doesn;t play "on the wing" though Bethnal. He tucks in and plays like a wide central midfielder most of the time and I don;t see why Vrancic can;t play there. i'm fairly sure he's played in that role for us previously although I may have imagined it. Did he not play as an attacking midfielder at Bournemouth in the Cup? But yes i'd agree the most obvious thing to do if he changes it is push Mclean into the more advanced position and play Vrancic next to Trybull.

How much confidence does 26 points out of the last 30 ooze?

Obviously not to the same level, but I play in goal and give TK full credit for that save yesterday - it was a world class save - it wasn't flashy by any means but in a one on one a keeper's job is to make life as difficult as possible for the striker and reduce the angles where the ball can go in. Obviously stopping it going in the net is primary focus, but that comes as a result of getting the various actions mentioned above right - knowing when to come out, knowing the right angle to take, even selling the striker and forcing him to put it where you want it. For example - when I come out to close down a one on one - I will often go down early, knowing that it will force the striker into a decision and more than likely they will try and dink it over me - that's not an accident, I'm ready for the striker to try and flick it over me and my hand is already on the way up to stop it as I go down. Every keeper will have their own plan for those situations and trying to force the striker into putting it somewhere you're comfortable with him putting it. I'm happy to call it as I see it, and got both barrels for criticising Krul's distribution against WBA but he was brilliant yesterday. His distribution was largely fine aside from a few errant kicks (which he can't be blamed for as the wind was swirling around). Dealt with being played into pressure by the defence a couple of times, and additionally to the one on one save, he made a brilliant punch late in the game, rising up between 3 unmarked Wigan players to get a solid fist on the ball and prevent them getting a header from a corner. With regard to the one on one - here's my informed opinion. I don't profess to be an expert, but like I say, I have played in goal for a number of years so I have got some idea what I'm talking about. Krul clearly shuts down the near post finish with his positioning when the defender is there, capitalises on Clarke taking a heavy touch to get past the defender, and times it perfectly to close down the angles for the far post. He goes down early so Clarke has to make a decision and has no chance of rolling it under him, and gets his right hand up as he goes down to stop the near post dink which he invited by going down early. Exactly what I'd have done (or tried to do!) in that situation.... He forced Clarke into making a decision quickly, invited him to go for an option Krul knew he could get to at the near post by going down the other way but was fully prepared for Clarke to try and dink it over him. Absolute world class stop to prevent a certain goal.

Still can't really believe we're top, after the season we had last year. This has been a remarkable transformation. Just 45 goals scored in 2017-2018, sold the two player who scored 25 of them, and replaced them with players who cost peanuts in comparison.

TodTerifiTodd More "I never tried to hide the fact that it is my intention to become the best I can!" Todd C Well said mate, its a shame there are a few cockwombles amongst our support.

Impressively high proportion of Wigan flat cap wearers in that photo...

Well changing one player for one ...in cantwell for buendia hasnt worked in two games...if we have to shuffle a couple of players around to make it work better then so be it....surely we're not that inflexible?? I'll make the point again that if we go behind a third game in a row and are still chasing it on 70 mins plus, we won't have the option of Jordan Rhodes off the bench to try to salvage something. We have to get this right on Friday, we're so close.....if we don't get automatic promotion ,please let our own team selection not be the reason.

You put a balanced post on that thread saying that Cantwell, Stiepermann and Hernandez didn't have a great game. You didn't think Leitner or Vrancic should come in for Cantwell but move McLean forward to replace one of the front three. I disagree and would only put players in to their most effective positions so if Vrancic or Leitner come in it should be for McLean. Or change the system. But for me with us on such a long unbeaten run averaging over 2 points a game for the season doing that would be an overreaction. So there's two balanced opinions. But opinions like "Cantwell offered nothing in two games and isn't contributing" are not balanced and are totally wrong. (That wasn't Waveny)

The problem is, as Farke has said himself, Vrancic and Leitner aren’t suited to the position that needs covering. So you have the option of switching around 2 or 3 players and disrupting a system that has worked (and I’d also note it worked earlier in the season when Cantwell came in for Hernandez on the other wing), or sticking with Cantwell and hoping the team execute a system that has worked more effectively in the past. As has been said many times, Norwich dominated Reading and 9 times out of 10 they win that game. Norwich also created numerous good opportunities against Wigan. If Pukki scores the early shot he has in the 6 yard box I expect the game pans out in a very different manner. The only change I’d make is replace Maclean with Vrancic.

The facts are clear for all to see over the last two games:- 1) Farke’s starting lineup for both games have been a goal down at halftime. 2) Farke has had to make substitutions to secure a point. 3) A point each from the last two games has been a disappointing return. 4) Buendia and Pukki are the two players in the squad that are irreplaceable. It would be total madness to make the same mistake over and over again. So to start with the same lineup for a third time, at such a key point of the season, just to ‘show faith in a youngster’ or not to replace players ‘showing fatigue’, would be taking loyalty a step too far. It could be argued that Farke is putting far too much pressure on the likes of Vrancic, Leitner and Rhodes to come on with fifteen minutes to play and secure points. The team needs to get back to winning ways without finding themselves having to fight back from a goal down. Changes to the starting lineup required.

It's not just Waveney's though. Cantwells been part of a wonderfully successful season covering for Hernandez, Stiepermann and Buendia. His points/starts ratio is right up there. Yet with just four games to play he's getting hammered on here and sent out on loan next season. With just four left to play we need Todd, and all the squad, to carry on as they have been and get us over the line.

It’s here, but as it is a German feature it is in German...

If Vrancic and/or Leitner don't play and we fail to win again, then I think Farke will lose a bit of goodwill with the fans. The stakes are too high to fanny around and our strongest team have to be on the pitch.

Needs his own thread. World class save. Good all round play and a calm head. Saved us a point (along with all the others he has over the season) Top man. Big compliments to him

As a resident of Nottingham, I can confirm that for at least part of the year, there is a beach in Nottingham. Not currently, but expected to return closer to summer http://www.nottinghamriviera.co.uk/

Really can’t see how Vrancic can play on the wing. He just doesn’t have the skill set for that. Even McLean out there is a stretch for me. Sheffield Wednesday will play more like Reading did than Wigan. Bruce doesn’t really do high pressing and intensity and they’ll sit deep and look to hit Norwich on the counter. That means Norwich will need players in attacking positions that can beat a man on the turn - something that Vrancic doesn’t really do well. Could potentially put Stiepermann out on the wing and Vrancic or McLean central or keep Cantwell on the wing. McLean/Vrancic/Leitner would all probably work alongside Trybull. McLean could potentially need a rest after being involved with Scotland during the international break (including a trip to Kazakhstan and back). Don’t think there is massive need to do a big overhaul.

Trybull Vrancic Hernandez Steipermann McLean Pukki

What a complete waste of air time - this thread is. Had to check league table after reading it to see how many points we need to avoid relegation, wake up take good look at yourselves in the mirror!!!!! This team of misfits and loanees are 7 points clear of third, quite probably about to join the football elite. It’s a fairytale, not the nightmare bollacks being posted on here!!!!

Far as I can see the only thing Todd has done wrong is to not be Emi. IMO starting Leitner/Vranic is very long overdue but whilst we were winning every game its very difficult to make a convincing case to say Farke was wrong to stick with the same team team. But we've now seen two poor and rather tired looking performances which suggest that Daniel maybe hasn't quite appreciated just how physically and mentally draining the long Championship programme is. Still think we'll finish as Champions but would be a lot more confident if Leitner and Vrancic start the next game. The argument for sticking with a winning team no longer applies, time to play our best team especially as a couple of them have fresh legs.

OP should be thoroughly ashamed of himself for posting such an unfair and toxic thread on this MB. After not having started for so many games and therefore lacking match practice, Todd Cantwell was asked to replace an exceptional and unpredictable player and operate within the established system and, unsurprisingly, it has been challenging for him to do so. Nevertheless, he is a player of undoubted quality. I saw him make his impressive debut away at Reading back in October and he was one of the stand-out players in the away victory. It so annoys me when players are singled out in such a negative way. QPR game apart, but with Buendia in the team, our players have looked nervy and unconvincing for some time but with good fortune we have maintained a winning run. Fact is that almost all our players have been lacklustre for some time and IMO particularly against two teams in Reading and Wigan who are fighting for relegation and who sussed us out and set themselves up accordingly. To highlight one player as the cause for these poor performances is, frankly, one dimensionally stupid and completely unsupportive and unhelpful. I really hope that Todd doesn't read this MB. I'm so p----d off with themoronic doughnut of an OP for starting this thread.

The problem is that Todd's not Emi. But as we've seen the last 2 games neither are Onel or Marco. And if you manage to shoehorn a centre mid in there they won't be either.

Cantwell never looked up to it today. I thought he was OK against Reading but was weak today. Needs a different approach Friday.

So this means he thought it was a penalty as a Wigan player told him it was. Looking at this shot it is clear to see he didn't and couldn't have seen where the ball struck Ben. He just guessed. Atrocious refereeing. He should be punished.

Loss loss draw loss. 87 points. Playoffs against Villa. Lose . And it still isn’t anywhere near as bad as being a Binner

You're right - I don't - and neither do you. There is absolutely no way though that changes "can't be made" as you put it. Farke has made plenty of changes of personnel this season and plenty of tactical changes too. Many of these have been within games it's true, but I'm sure he'll change it if he thinks it's for the best. People are entitled to their opinions of course - but as others have already said - if any manager has earned the right to be trusted by the fans it's Farke this season.

They were YOUR words I was quoting GJL!!!

at the start of ITV News Anglia just now, to the question "Where do 1p5wich Town go to from here"? Just me then?

Fear not. If you are worried about Friday, just know that the Championships Lionel Messi returns to the side for our last 3 games. Stoke and Blackburn very winnable, and Villa will be protecting themselves for the playoffs. What’s to fear?! 🥊

This debate reminds me a bit of when Hughton would put Wes Hoolahan out on the left side of midfield because Hughton felt it would weaken us defensively to put Wes more centrally. That was frustrating because Wes was stuck out on the left for much of the game and couldn't influence it that much. Also, on occasion Wes would go wondering more centrally and that would leave us exposed on the flank. But the key point was that Wes could play that position and make a decent contribution, it was just that his impact was greatly reduced. Here if we put Vrancic or McLean on the right flank, they would have a licence to roam and Max can cover the flank defensively anyway, so those problems are largely overcome. I'm not convinced Vrancic would necessarily drop deeper to get the ball - he played in an advanced midfield role very successfully. And I think that would be made up for by his greater creative impact than Cantwell at the moment. If we stick with the same starting lineup I'd be incredibly frustrated, especially if we end up having to change the lineup/formation at around 75 minutes yet again !!

I'd go for Krul Aarons Zimmerman Godfrey Lewis Trybull Vrancic Hernandez Stiepermann McLean Pukki Think that has more balance than having Vrancic wide personally although the way we play with Buendia drifting inside I don't think it would be as big a stretch as some suggest. In both the last two games I've felt that McLean has had more impact when he was pushed further forward after the substitutions were made. Last point. Might be wrong but I feel there is a touch of nervousness on the pitch - there certainly is in the stands - and Mo and Mario both bring a sense of calmness and control to our play which I feel we would benefit from at the moment.

I've just said above. i think he has got the last two starting line ups wrong and i'm not saying that out of hindsight, if you look back to before the Reading game very few fans wanted that line up in Buendia's absence and gave reasons why with their concerns proven justified by what we have witnessed. I also think that the lack of use of Leitner and Vrancic for the last 2 months has been questionable but obviously we won all those games so it didn't cost us anything. i do think that the team selections in the last 2 games were a mistake and I do also think that Buendia should not have still been on the pitch when he got sent off against QPR but obviously very harsh to blame Farke for Buendia making a reckless challenge. Whether he learns from it I guess we will see on Friday with the team we put out. Normally he does learn pretty quickly and spots where things are not quite working. He's won us many points this season with his excellent management and has got us top of the league as a consequence. He's done and is doing an excellent job but i always believe you learn far more from those jobs/matters which don;t go smoothly than you do from matters that go completely to plan. That's not to say i don't think we are incapable of beating Shef Weds with the same team if they perform. i just think its a risk not to change it and we will play better if he does. Just my opinion though.

All three teams at the top have had a slight wobble it would seem. Of the three I consider ours to be the most self-inflicted, beginning with Buendia's unnecessary red and being compounded by Farke's somewhat intransigent team selection, both before and during the last two games. The Blades seem to have had more of a bit of bad luck with recent injuries, but perhaps it has compensated for the good luck they have had by the fact that their two aging strikers have had a remarkably injury-free season up 'til now. McGoldrick was a precious and fragile being at ITFC for a number of seasons and was never able to play for such a prolonged period as he has this season. Sharp's swansong has been somewhat over-prolonged it seems. Leeds like a goods train are a force to be encountered, but they have to pay for their overall lack of finesse on occasions. It's inevitable that they will hurtle off the track now and again. Besides Bamford is a bit of a duffer overall, despite his moments of brilliance. Norwich? Perhaps, like a finely honed racehorse with a substantial lead in a race we are just easing up in the final furlong.

No-one should be blaming any of the players whether its Onel, Cantwell, Mclean or Stiepermann. I've not seen any lack of effort from any of our players in any of the games and its only really in those circumstances where I think players deserve stick. They are all clearly and obviously giving their all. If anyone is to blame for the under par return from the last 2 games its Buendia for the stupid red card (although mitigation in terms of the treatment he was getting) and Farke for firstly not having already removed Buendia from the firing line in that QPR game and secondly for picking a team without either Vrancic or Leitner (or both) in it for the last two matches which was the obvious way to compensate for the lack of creativity and passing ability Buendia's absence brings. Farke is obviously hugely in credit but we all make mistakes in our jobs from time to time and the important thing is we learn from them. there has been no real damage done as long as he does and we get the win on Friday.

Vrancic in for Cantwell. Hernandez and Steipi will up their games with Vrancic in the side.

I don't get this "not changing the system" stuff. In the last 2 games we've been 1-0 down and changed the system late in the 2nd half, and then scored 3 goals, conceding 1. Why change the system mid-game but not change it at the start of the game so the players have time to practice it for a few days ? We're not talking a massive change either... I think Buendia is one of those players who brings out the best in those around him - always open for a pass and able to play the creative ball. Stiepermann particularly benefits from playing with him. Todd wasn't bad yesterday but he's just not got that same ability at the moment. And I thought he looked low on confidence yesterday, most of the time he would just play the cautious/easy ball rather than try to open them up. Stiep also looked poor and Hernandez really struggled. McLean didn't have a great game either, so creatively it was one of our poorest performances this season . I really hope DF sees this. If we stick with that opening lineup I can see us struggling to beat Wednesday.

Blimey, it was only 11/2 lines. Do you have problems with reading? 🙂

I think DF will start the same team. He will want to slot Buendía back when his suspension is over. He won’t want to change the system that has served us so well.

And this post sums up the nonsense criticism Krul has so wrongly received for the majority of the season. Fans thinking they know what they’re talking about but actually contradicting themselves and expecting a gk to never let in a goal or make a mistake. Every player has made mistakes this season and by all means call them out on it if you feel it’s worthy of comment, this is a forum for opinion after all but my opinion is simple, Krul has been fantastic for us this season and doesn’t deserve the negativity. Pukki has had poor games, games when he couldn’t hit the target let alone score a goal, his link up play hasn’t worked and he has been completely off the pace. Has a post like the one above been made about him? About him being an adequate striker but nothing more? That he has to have balls served on a plate for him to score? No, because we know what he’s capable of and that he’s generally very good with few poor games. Well Krul has made few mistakes (and he will be his own harshest critic) yet every one is seized upon to condemn him as a failure and that we need a replacement in the summer. But generally he’s been fantastic and won us many more points that given away.

I still want Blades to catch Leeds.

For those who want a brief summary " Where we don’t have talent in the building that is ready for developing in a particular position and it’s clear that we need to invest to improve we will do so but we will not bring in anyone who blocks our own players’ development and we will ensure we give our young homegrown players a run of games. They will make mistakes, but as long as they learn from those mistakes we will have a team that gets better and better." We won't spend and we won't be coming straight back up " They will need patience but it’s the way forward for Ipswich Town. I want you to witness the excitement of a team developing week in, week out and see this turning this into a winning formula. " This is the cheap option " We will still retain that balance of experienced players around them of course. Players like Bart Bialkowski, Alan Judge, Luke Chambers and Cole Skuse will provide that guidance for our young players to progress." We will keep the aged has beens who got us relegated

And will then rest some key players against us with an eye on the play-offs if their place is already secured!

He ran about like a little boy lost all game and when your own players are trying to avoid passing to you then you need to up your game. he didn’t. It is no coincidence that we have drawn 2 games we should have one with him playing. time for a long stint in the under 23s I a afraid Max,Jamal,EMI, Godfrey youngsters doing brilliantly but not cantwell

I’d like to see Mario come back in, purely because before his injury he was probably the best player in the Championship. The stick Todd is getting is ridiculous. He’s a smashing player and produced one of the best moments of the first half when he hit a 45 yard pass to Stiepermann’s feet and then Pukki just missed getting on to the cross.

Westcoast says it's a plastic bag.