Pugin

Gibson's fault. Backed off, stood off, just waited and scared to draw a line in the sand and say This far, and no further

Oh my God! It's the knitwear version of County Lines.

OK, ignore 'Better', it was just decoration. But after yesterday I honestly wonder if we have had a wonderful Premier League player hiding in plain sight. I feel euphoric about his display. Dean Smith must have been rubbing his eyes in disbelief. It seems that the intro to Smith managership is nearly complete and every single player in the squad (with the possible exceptions of Idah and Lees-Melou) are ready to help us win this fight.

Mental disorder takes many guises.Obsessive behaviour is one such manifestation. Your continuing obsession with this 23 year old man is an excellent example of obsessive behaviour. On one level you have shown that you are not a stupid man, but on another level you continue to give us carefully coded evidence that he occupies your thoughts. Your posts on here m case study into unhealthy obsession. We will never know the root cause of your obsession,

Why change it? Because there have been errors and weaknesses in central defence that Dean Smith will have noted and on another day would have cost us goals. Maybe Sunday isn't the time for change, granted. I am sure Smith has selected his defence with as little risk as possible, but change will come. ps right from the start vs Southampton, Smith noted how Adams got through two challenges before scoring. He knows where we need to improve or strengthen.

A real opportunity to show what special fans Norwich have, and that we understand that some things are more important than inter-club rivalry.

I am driving down from Norwich to London outskirts, but being indecisive about planning a route on the tube, or getting overland rail from Cheshunt. Any helpful advice will be appreciated.

I can see Omabamidele coming in for thus game, for his pace. Gibbo to miss out unless we go to a three.

I know this is miles off subject, but cut me a little slack as I find it surreal. It may tickle those of a certain vintage and a Top of the Pops inclination. Until recently my neice's Headmaster in Reigate was Mr Fenton, a serious and highly qualified teacher. Mr Fenton is the son of Alvin Stardust. Priceless!

I thought you were suggesting that Farke's ego couldn't take Tzolis having a good game at Arsenal. That's how it read. What Farke's ego couldn't take was a player (any player) going against his instructions. A better manager would deal with the situation in such a way that the player would never dare to disobey him again, but he would not do it to the detriment of the team. We have seen similar situations with other players and (as you may know) Farke plays mind games by not even discussing the issue with the player. He's gone now, replaced by a manager who is happy to explain to players why they are being left out.

This is why we just about shaded the game. We had Kenny and Brandon Williams risking life and limb throwing themselves into challenges (in the air and on the deck). Wolves had no one who quite showed that level of committment or bravery. It bodes really well, and if we maintain it we will get over the line against quite a few sides. It sets a benchmark to everyone in the side. Show this type of determination, get the technical, tactical and psychological things right, and the points will continue to accrue. Newcastle are ideal opponents for a side in this mood as they have a sophisticated manager and sophisticated players who might not fancy it.

It's the genius of simplicity. That's what I picked up from the game yesterday. Basically, when out of possession, if the ball is on the other side of the pitch the wide attacking players can remain in reasonable attacking positions PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE STILL BEHIND THE BALL; So simple; so effective. If we regain possession we are in a great position to counter attack. It didn't work in the first half vs Southampton because Rashica didn't know when to get back. They worked on it and it worked yesterday against a side with the maximum possible width. Genius. Another thing. Gibson has always infuriated me with his willingness to pass back to the keeper. He has clearly been told to be braver and to stop doing it. I counted him doing it just once yesterday. I really look forward to Omabamidele getting a run but that's another story.

Dean is a good man manager. Todd starts.

Thanks for sharing this. It is actually a good account of how the next few weeks will shape up. It doesn't cover all areas of the pitch - the writer doesn't explain how he thinks Dean will expect his full backs to operate, and it doesn't mention distribution when the keeper has the ball in his hands, a really problem with Daniel's management. But it does hint that he will have to address the weakness with the two current central defenders, hinting the Omabamidele will soon have a shirt. Well worth listening to.

Well, you're an interesting character and I won't be the only one looking back through your previous 7 posts to see what you are all about. Tzolis didn't have a bad game at Arsenal, but your comment that 'Farke's ego couldn't take it' is just crazy. So calm down, your buddy will get chances to impress and if he does well enough Dean Smith will give him more and more minutes. PS I agreed with your other comments about Farke in that his ego and arrogance were his downfall. His treatment of players who stood up to him was appalling, far more than is in the public domain and people or press realise. Sending players to Siberia is basically bullying in the workplace. Farke had to go. But on the other hand if 19 year old disobeys team instructions (the penalty) then there will be consequences.

Dirk Kuyt was a rapier. Josh Sargent is a broadsword.

After that game I am obsoletely positive that the new manager will not be expecting Pukki to run his legs off across the width of the pitch, all the time. As for 'the press', it's all about timing, co-ordination and intelligence. Equally, when they look at the stats today, the wide players will have covered less kilometres, but been more effective. We have a good manager. What a pity Daniel didn't evolve and improve. I suspect his ego got in the way, and he's now history.

No matter how much dirty money the Russians, Saudis, Americans, or Chinese pump into the game there is still one rule that gives us a chance: even if you have 20 billionaires on the books, you can only field 11 players. If our 11 are fully organised and fully committed, we will always have a chance

Come on, give the guys the credit they deserve for today's win. Dean was clever in not changing the defence and his reward was that Hanley and Gibson played as if their lives depended on it, as he hoped they would. They couldn't have been braver or more committed. Omabamidele will be in before long because he is too good to leave on the sidelines. Not sure about Kabak. But today was about trying to build the offensive side on an experienced defensive foundation. One step at a time.

Exactly. Full week of training and he will getting towards fitness after 10 weeks away from first team training.

The biggest change will be that Cantwell and Gilmour both start. I would put money on it. Let Southampton worry. This manager knows what he is doing. Also, effectiveness will be more important than kilometres and shape will be better. Pukki will benefit more than most. Same defence as vs Brentford, I guess, on reflection. Can't be too gung-ho.

Totally and absolutely. I think we have been lucky to acquire a manager who in the years ahead will establish himself as a much-loved club legend. I am convinced there will be immediate signs today that better times lie ahead. I believe that the players individually and collectively will play with a new belief and expression today. It will take a few games to settle into our best eleven, but the rest of the season is going to be epic.

Dean Smith will probably never have a tougher team to pick. Everyone will be desperate to be in the 11 that walk down that tunnel into the daylight. A bright new world opens up tomorrow.

It's pleasant and dead easy for a manager to select players - it's delivering the news that they are left out which is hard. I have guessed a half decent team for tomorrow, set up on a 4-4-1-1 defensive base, and I find that leaves 11 players on the sidelines. Not starting the game would be (in no order) Dowell, Idah, Gibson, Kabak, Plachete, Kenny, Rupp, Lees-Melou, Williams, Sargent and Gunn. I would expect Todd and one other to be pencilled in for a 30/35 minute run out as consolation. But it still leaves two players not even on the bench. My team: Krul; Max, Omabamidele, Hanley and Giannoulis. Tzolis, Gilmour, Normann and Rashica. Cantwell. Pukki.

He was given his 'fresh start' and welcomed back into the first team group at the team meeting ay 10pm at Colney on the night of the Brentford win.