Yelloow Since 72

Interesting post. I would be inclined to play Daley at home and Cody away in the present 4-3-3 formation that Lambert seems to prefer. Cody would provide a fast break option in away matches, which Daley could do as well, except that Cody is more llikely to score in that role. Certainly Cody should have more than 5 minutes in a match!

The answer to this fair question is not so easy as many have been making out. First of all, Lambert''s point-of-view today: “Declan will come into the fray. Whether I go with him I''ll decide tomorrow,” said Lambert. Theoklitos is the other less likely option, his only senior appearance coming in the 7-1 home defeat by Lambert''s Colchester on the opening day of the season, but the manager believes he must forget that experience. “He''s got to be ready. That''s the thing - you can only have that in your head for so long,” said Lambert. “As I said to Michael, the seven goals weren''t all his fault. I saw them. You can''t blame Michael for the result, that''s for sure.” If Lambert goes for Rudd and he let''s in goals, his confidence could be seriously damaged. He''s one for the future, but he''s only 18 after all. There is also obviously a risk for Theoklitos as well, but it is a lesser one, IMO. If he performs well, then City have three keeper options again. If he doesn''t, then Rudd gets the number 2 shirt. It seems to me a more serious question what Lambert is going to do about the defence. With Nelson and Otsemobor out, he has to decide where Spillane plays. If it is at RB, then Doherty seems a better prospect at CB than Lappin, Drury or Stephens. If it''s at CB, then who plays at RB? Is this really the game to bring Rudd in for?

This is more about prejudice than reality. Why does Francomb''s poor back-pass not even get a mention in Bailey''s article? That would de-sensationalise it, is why. There is a sickness at the heart of this kind of treatment of a player that I''m beginning to think is a sickness affecting the club''s fortunes over the past years.

Much of this is way out of proportion - put there by Michael Bailey''s Achant sensation seeking headlines. Read the Official Site report for a more balanced view. First of all it was Francomb''s badly placed back-pass that caused the problem. Theoklitos couldn''t pick it up, so had to try to play it around the striker, who took it off him, leaving Theoklitos no choice but to dive for the ball. Get your facts straight before you publicly write off someone''s career! His keeping was good for the rest of the match.

Worth reading the report on the Official Site. Theoklitos did concede the penalty, but made some good saves as well with a young and inexperienced defence in fron of him. I''m not giving up on him yet. More concerned about the lack of attacking play.

Report on the Official Site now: http://www.canaries.co.uk/page/NewsDetails/0,,10355~1806255,00.html

Oh well... Michael Bailey has thison Twitter: "City res lose 1-0 to Watford. Lathrope''s pen is saved, before Theo concedes a terrible spot kick that''s tucked away. No one shone ". Is Mr Lakey going to provide anything more Pete?

Oh well... Is Mr lakey going to provide anything more Pete?

I also want to know. the TV teletext was giving some reserve scores. It is frustrating!

The absence of Stephens suggests that he is the number 3 CB at the moment. Good to see Kelly getting a game as well.

Definitely early days yet, but Korey has taken his chance brilliantly. Shelvey was another inexperienced youngster last year! Much will depend on how Martin, Spillane, Smith and Wiggins develop this year.

                                             Forster Otsemobor              Askou                Doherty/Nelson           Drury Smith                     Russell            Hughes/Adeyemi              Lappin                                            Hoolahan                                               Holt Subs: Rudd, Spillane, McDonald, Martin, Wiggins, McVeigh, Maric (For all his problems, I still rate Doc over Nelson and Spillane at CB)

I was encouraged by the spirit and style of play in this match but the fact is that City are still closer to relegation than the 6th playoff position. As usual, injuries haven''t helped, but at least Lambert may now see the advantages of a large squad (3 CMs out but Russell, Smith and Adeyemi there to come in). The play-offs are still a possibility but City had to win to keep any chance of automatic promotion alive. As for the earlier comment, "Even if we don''t go up this season, I still think we''ll go up within two further seasons, simply because year on year, we have a bigger income than 95% of the teams in this division, hence we can attract players of higher quality", that is not what I would call success!  

That makes sense from an otherwise senseless situation. Vital information again Tim, but why didn''t the club explain?

Doherty leaving means Nelson will be starting at CB, and I am not convinced that he is better than Doherty. Barring that, Spillane or a loan player alongside Askou. None of these options inspires me. A good manager gets the best out of the players he has, IMO.

I''m not convinced about Lambert. The money spent on compensation could have been spent on players, who are far more important than managers any day. Lambert evokes too many echoes of Grant and Roeder for me, and I don''t see loan players remedying the situation. The development of young players could make a difference, but most probably not this season, as the latest reserve game demonstated. I wish I could be more hopeful about this year, but it looks like another struggle to me.

Wasn''t this the site that so often said that it wasn''t good enough for Gunn to moan about the refs? That tactics were needed? Up on possession 30/70 after 30 minutes, City finished at 61/39. That is just plain dismal! Yes MK were dirty, with tackles designed to injure players ignored by a poor ref, but that is life in League 1 and I think City will be struggling on in this league for some time. Lambert has to take his share of the blame!

City lost it because after starting well, they were physically intimidated. After 30 minutes possession was 30%/70%, but by the end it was 61%/39% - it says it all!

I have to agree. After being on top 30%/70% after 30 minutes, City ended up at 61%/39%. That is an abyssmal turnaround wheLeague1n city wilted in the second half. Prepare for another season in League 1, I''m afraid. Dismal!

I am also not satisfied with this explanation, especially as it is all according to McNally''s point-of-view. As a long-term fan, it does matter how the club conducts its affairs and this whole situation has undermined that and will continue to do so for a long time to come, IMO.

I have been advocating this kind of formation for a while, with the same flexibility you suggest according to what''s happening, and I think it could work, and has to varying degrees when it has been tried by both Gunn and Lambert. My problem with 4-4-2 is that it is too predictable and easy to defend against, as Walsall showed on Saturday. More importantly it allows both creative players in the side (Hoolahan and McVeigh), with pace players to come in for impact, if necessary. Additional pace could be provided by the FBs, especially Otsemobor (yes, I know there is a risk) and Wiggins, when he is fit. Something has to be done to replace the tedium that was Saturday! OTBC!

I think that there is a lot of wishful thinking about Lambert. He had a mediocre season with Colchester last year to finish mid-table (16 wins, 7 draws, 14 losses) and is likely to do similarly with City this year once he hacks the team about yet again (for the fifth time in four seasons) and brings in loan players who he feels comfortable with. Then when he is off again later on, we can go through all this again with a new manager! Great way to build a team!

I still feel that Lambert will achieve similar results to those he achieved at Colchester last year. A 44% win rate sounds impressive until you consider that it was in League 1 and produced a mid-table finish. One day City will realise that chopping and changing managers is not the route to success, just mediocrity. I hope I''m wrong, but I can''t see much above mid-table with Lambert and the sort of tactics seen against Brentford and Walsall.

If he''s loaned out, Lambert will be able to get someone in who can play ''hoofball'' more effectively, then we can have a lot more games like Brentford and Walsall. Can''t wait!

It is at that, Cam! Was he really there?