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Pabs

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Posts posted by Pabs

  2. Posted

    MY RATINGS:

    Ruddy 7 - Didn''t have much to do but was confident and pulled off two good saves from Adomah. Was unlucky with the goal.

    R Martin 7 - Got up and down the flank well and was good in the tackle. Crossing wasn''t to usual standard but solid again.

    Ward - 8 - Thought he was colossal and had Maynard in his pocket all game. So comfortable on the ball and always looking to pass.

    Whitbread 7 - Again, very solid and composed on the ball and hardly made a mistake all game. In second half his balls forward were a little wayward

    Tierney - 7 I like this chap. So strong, hard in the tackle and gets forward as well as R Martin does on the opposite flank. Maybe a bit hasty with one or two tackles in dangerous areas.

    Fox 7 - Kept the ball moving and ticking over, was really impressed with his tackling as well as how he closed down all evening. Lets the other midfielders go forward

    Crofts 7 - One or two misplaced passes early on but his energy shone through as he was important going forward and creating. Not his best game, but still impressive

    Surman 6 - This might be a bit controversial given his goal, but I thought he was a bit off the boil last night. Nice passing, but seriously he is really slow!

    Hoolahan - 8 Once again, our best player in attacking areas. So creative and influential. Made two of the goals. At times, he overplayed it but you can let him off...

    Holt - 7 Held ball up well and was a menace for their inexperienced defence. Had a header and shot he could have done better with, but was otherwise his usual, bustling self.

    Jackson 7 - Actually thought he played well last night, was a menace to their defence and caused problems with his pace. Just needs a goal really - but I like him and think we have a player there!

    Lansbury - 8 Must mention him; what an impact! Scored, had another effort and made the tackle leading to Surman''s goal. Thought he made a difference when he came on!

  3. Posted

    It is that time of year again to think about Player of the Season - not an easy decision this year baring in mind how well the whole squad have done.

    My top three would be:

    1. Andrew Crofts - Never say die, and has made his mark ever since the very first game. Box to box, can defend, tackle, pass and certainly shoot (judging by the Barnsley goal). He has made us think Darel who...? By far a superior player and an absolute bargain.

    2. Wes Hoolahan - Is the one player we have got that can change a game on his own - I would go as far as saying he is the best player in the league this season - opposition can''t deal with him. Another 10 goals too - my only reason he wouldn''t be number 1 is that Crofts has been slightly more consistent in his brilliance!

    3. Grant Holt - After a slow start, Holt has proven sensational at this level; I reckon every other team in this division would have him in their team. He has proven his critics wrong, and has led by example. The hat-trick v the scum certainly helped, too!

    Bubbling Under...

    Russell Martin - Has been so consistent and effective all season, and chipped in with a fee goals from full back.

    John Ruddy - After an uncertain start, he has been superb the last few months. Has kept us in several games and made some incredible saves. IMO better than Forster.

    David Fox - Didnt play for ages, but makes us tick -has been excellent as midfield fulcrum.

    Elliott Ward - Over the whole season, the only centre back who could claim the award as the others havent played enough. Has been a bit on and off, but generally solid and a good quality CB at this level.

  5. Posted

    Yes...thinking about this again, maybe maths isn''t my strong point/

    Agreed now that it could be 82ish for auto. But still think the bottom of the p/offs could be quite high too with teams pushing each other (75-77).

    Makes it seem much more achieveable. Looking at the last ten games, about 19 points is very realistic. 6 wins and a draw or 5 wins, 4 draws...

  6. Posted

    What do people think the required points total will amount to for 2nd and the PlayOffs?

    I think it could be a little higher than usual this season. I reckon that 86 will get us automatic promotion for sure (tall ask - need 23 points from 10 games = 7 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat).

    Play Offs I can see being about 77 points because there are now about 8 teams who are pushing for it, and some have games in hand. That would only requre 14 points (4 wins, 2 draws, 4 defeats).

    The second option sounds quite easy in all honesty - we should definitely fight for 2nd now. In likelihood, I could see us getting somewhere in between the two figures with about 81 points. If other teams stutter, or QPR get points deducted, it could be enough for 2nd but I would say we will finish 3rd or 4th with a date at Wembley to look forward to...!

    Exciting times!

  7. Posted

    Hi

    Probably the best way to ensure more chance of a ticket is to buy a Super Membership, as particularly the last game of the season could sell out. You can get there for approx £17.50 (although they could cost more if you live abroad) You will then get priority on tickets and be able to order online - not sure what postage is like abroad but they may keep tickets at club shop for you.

    The Playoff games may be difficult even for super members as s/ticket holders and those with away match stubs will get priority but you can always try...if you don''t get any plonk yourself in a good sports pub in Norwich and watch them on SKY!

  14. Posted

    This would be an alternative team - similar to mine except Drury and Fox in for Tierney and K Smith. This would be a more likely option to be honest, but I just think Tierney and K Smith deserve a chance and may freshen things up a little.

    I remember when Lambert first came in, he went for Smith because he had ''legs''! I think that is just what we need at the moment - energy, buzz, enthusiasm. I like Fox, and his passing is great, but sometimes he is a bit statuesque and away from home doesn''t do much defensively.

  15. Posted

    23 goals last season too, and he didnt start every game, certainly not until Lambert got his first XI sorted.

    I know he has been a silly boy with some of his antics off field, but why can''t we champion a good young player for once. I think we can all see he has talent; let''s get behind the lad.

    As we should Jackson and Wilbraham too, if they play. You won''t hear any boos against Barnsley as we are away and those fans appreciate players for their effort not just ability.

    Yes, I think Martin is better than the others but if they are wearing yellow and green, I will get behind them.

  16. Posted

    From these suggestions:

    Phillips - Could prove to be a diamond signing for 3 months, has a proven track record and even though he is getting on, he knows where the goal is at this level. Would bring experience for a promotion push.

    Klasnic - No chance.

    McCarthy - I would rather sign the man from the Go Compare adverts.

    Cox - Could be a shrewd signing, has scored goals last season at this level when given the chance and seems way down pecking order at WBA. Don''t think he would score for fun, but would have an impact.

    Guidetti - Never seen him play, but have heard good things about him. Worth a punt.

    Pacheco - Liverpool fans seem to rave about him, but when I have seen him in Europa Lge has had very little impact. Could get shrugged off the ball easily at this level, and is more of an attacking midfielder.

    Delfouneso - This would be the best signing in my opinion. Has played in fits and starts for Villa, and has always seemed to have an impact. Touted as an England player of the future and would be keen to do well to prove to Houllier that he ''fits in'' with Bent, Agbonlahor etc at the club. Not sure if Villa would let him go though as they are still in FA Cup and sort of in a relegation battle.

  18. Posted

    I agree with OP.

    Martin has far more ability than either Jackson or Wilbraham, hense Lambert''s decision to occasionally play him in an attacking midfield role (from where he played excellently against QPR in particular). I don''t see Martin as an out and out striker, so to purely judge him by goals is incidental.

    He should have grabbed a few more lately, granted, but which of the three do you reckon Holty prefers playing with? Martin all the time...now his court case is out of the way hopefully he can return for the last 10 games and fire us to promotion.

  19. Posted

    I would love to see Lambert experiment with a 4-5-1 for Barnsley away, considering we have a full compliment of midfielders but only one striker who knows where the goal is, so:

    Ruddy

    R Martin Ward Whitbread Tierney

    K Smith Crofts

    Lansbury Hoolahan Surman

    Holt

    I think this could work so well, with the top 3 midfielders we could just pick our way through teams. It might seem harsh to drop Fox, but I think Korey offers solidity for away games.

    I would also like to see Tierney given a chance. I am not basing this purely on Drury''s own goal, but would like to see the new man perform and think he looks quite hard and strong. Drury has struggled in the last two games too.

    Im up to Barnsley for this (staying in Sheffield) Come on boys!

  22. Posted

    Surely one of the purposes of a ''free-speech'' forum such as this is to look at, or create transfer rumours if you hear about them.

    Admittedly, annoying if it is Ipswich fans but to be honest I probably wouldn''t come on here as much if it wasn''t for transfer rumours...particularly as many of them do come true.

    For example - this year Barnett, Tierney, Wilbraham and Edwards had all been rumoured on here and then actually happened!

  23. Posted

    I have to agree with this comment. I think Whitbread and Ward can be an excellent partnership. I would have probably stuck with Whitbread and Barnett but now he is inured, it doesn''t seem a bad replacement.

    I think Whitbread and Ward are classy centre backs. I would like Ward at times to get stuck in more, but positionally they are excellent. Barnett reminds me of Kenton - he is great at getting blocks in, athleticism etc but often it is covering his bad positioning in the first place. He is a good signing, but as a defender if you are diving all over the place stopping shots etc it may be because you made a mistake in the first place.

    I wish Barnett a swift recovery, but looking forward to seeing the two W''s together.

    As for midfield, I like the 4-5-1 idea now Surman is back - although Fox''s performance today would make it tough for Lambert to bring Korey back in. Just feel we miss his ''bite''. Well, good to have these selection problems...

  24. Posted

    How about the only two clean sheets we have had in the last 20ish games, Whitbread has started both of them!

    Would have had Barnett and Whitbread as first choice to be honest, but think Whitbread and Ward can be good together too. Think they may have been Lambert''s first choice at start of season if it wasn''t for injuries. Right and Left footer too.

  25. Posted

    I know it must be difficult for Lambert to pick his strongest starting XI at the moment, as there is so much competition, but I feel we have missed the energy and tenacity of Smith in recent games.

    It is something like 6 games since he last started and he hasn''t even appeared in the last 4. I think he is a fantastic, young player and he is so economical with his use of the ball. Yes, he should score more goals but we don''t need every player as a scorer. He is a grafter, gets about the pitch and you get the sense he is really committed to NCFC.

    As some others have posted, I think a solution could be a 5 man midfield, with Smith and Crofts at base and Hoolahan, Surman and Lansbury attacking. Of course, Fox is another option who has played well lately.

    I think Lambert is doing a brilliant job and will be happy with who he plays, just like seeing one of our own young players develop and don''t want to see him left behind.
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