Dubai Mark

JC and canarygirl, who actually went to the match sum it up nicely for me. I wasnt at the game, but watched it live over here and I thought we were actually still in the match right up to when the second goal went in. Now, I am sure I will get a load of flack, but I also thought CH got the tactics just about right, and I know that sounds crazy after what was a 4-0 defeat, but I fully understand what he was trying to and upto that second goal it was actually working in my view. The score does flatter Man U as do the stats mislead City''s contribution, we definately threatened a little more than the one shot statistic shows and upto that second goal it only needed one bit of good fortune and it would have been game on, as it happens we know how it all worked out.  I really believe that had we gone 442 and taken the game to Man U with RVP and Rooney up front, we would have been behind and out of the match very early in the game and would have been holding on for more much more than the 20 or so minutes we were out of the game yesterday, I''m sure many of you feel the same way on this. That all said, CH''s plan would have worked better if our central midfield pairing, two players who I hate to criticise, had been a little more effective in their game both in terms of protecting the CB''s and distribution when they got the ball, one of our strengths from the previous match was probably our weakness this time.   Aw we all know, it''s games like our next one that really count for us............and that''s no walk in the park either....have watched a few Southampton matches this season and they are very decent and a real handfull going forward......  

I really am not so sure about Man U not having a strong squad when compared to previous seasons or, the Premier League not being so strong as it has been. What I see is a Man U squad that has Scoles & Giggs purely as squad players, a great selection of experienced internationals and really talented younger players who have carved a huge gap between them and the rest and progressed in Europe....this has been / can only be done with a very strong squad. A second eleven for Man U could possibly get a top 10 place in The Premier League when our second string possibly wouldnt get mid table in The Championship. That all said, I believe that a point is not out of question if City play to the maximum and Man U dont have RVP playing...oh, I too am disappointed Rio is not playing (is that definate) as agree that Holt has a definite chance against him. Anyway, hat we all know, is that IF we do get a result today it will ONLY be because Man U rested a few players, have theirs minds on the Real game, had an off day......and not because City played well.....still I''d take that any day of the week OTBC!      

I take these sort of stories with a pinch of salt, but I guess there must have been some problems that are now being blown out of proportion. That said, make no mistake, Dubai is certainly a place where you can really have a good time,(Harry know this as he is a regular visitor), and until the early hours of the next day, every day....it''s heaven for these guys to be let lose in. As for City''s visit to Abu Dhabi, whilst I couldnt make the open training session the UAE Canaries were invited to, my understanding is that our club were particularly professional and together and trained hard, with about the only freedom given being an afternoon''s golf. Abu Dhabi though is certainly another City you can enjoy yourself in, not to the level of Dubai, but it''s another cosmopolitan City that isnt just filled with Mosques and Camels. All said and done though, surely some night time enjoyment should be a part of these types of trips, a decent night out doesnt harm anyone as long as its reasonable and doesnt go beyond how professional athletes should behave.

Great thread, few replies surprisingly, but quality...now I know why I come on here. Nothing much to add, other than I dont see us having a home and away formation (which would be a bit predictable if you were our next opponents), but simply the ability to now be able to field from the start different formations depending on the opposition and more important decent options on the bench to change things around rather than just a like for like at best. 

I thought he was faultless on Saturday and for me the most important think is that the back four seem to be very confident with him behind them, absolutely no panics or apprehension....huge boots to fill and he has done great...brilliant signing.

Yes it was Abu Dhabi, Dubai though had at least six other Premier League sides in town the same time as city were just up the coast, its about an hour and a half away for those who are interested. Im not sure about the energy levels, as for me these have been up and down all season, like with many clubs over a long hard intense season.....but certainly it seems to have worked and further bonded together what has always appeared to be a tight group of players. It was like a mini mid season break, a chance to recharge a little..... and I for one feel it was an excellent investment just for those three points on saturday alone!

Holt out....did I read that correctly? Just exactly why would that happen? We need at least one more quality striker in.... not let our best one and captain go. What do we need to improve........for me, the most important thing that needs to improve.....the expectations of some of our so called supporters...reality check required big time..... on how just how far we have come and what we can achieve forthe rest of this season and over next few seasons.....   

There are a few on here, I should say ......many on here, who will be feeling a little stupid after their reaction when Kamara was signed. Also, agree that Bacchio had a decent game too....we now have some forward options that can and will make a difference OTBC 

It is tempting to start him isnt it.....BUT, I certainly wouldnt......we could get tonked within half an hour if we try and take the game to Manure early. I guess many will disagree, but I would revert back to the one up front with Hoolahan just behind......let Holt run the CB''s around and then release Kamara later when their legs are a little tired. We really do need to avoid a tonking next week, if we go down let''s go down narrowly or nick it through shrewd tactics.

Please..lets give him a little time. For first start that was a decent performance, worked hard, good movement, found a fair bit of space........it will happen have some faith....... 

If he plays it will be Giggs 1000th competitive match....would be great to be party poopers....anyone remember the last match of the old Kop? That said, this Manure squad has loads of talent, its their movement and mobility that will cause us problems regardless of the eleven they field.....the one we need missing is RVP....and for me it would be good to see Rio play, I''m serious.......I think Holt has the measure of him and with a pacy Kamara on the park at some stage it could be very interesting. But, am expecting Bunn to be MoM if we do nick something......OTBC 

Agree with that and up against a quality pair of CB''s......he was a amongst it all game chipping away and leading the line, although I think he puts a decent shift in almost every week.  Becchio will get better I''m convinced of that, and it will take a few weeks for other teams to get a handle on Kamara......cant see many teams getting anything out of us at home for the rest of the season to be honest. 

Taking into account his match time to date Howson clearly put in a good shift along with rest of the team. Tettey of late has run very hot and cold possibly due to carrying a knock.  As for Holt, up against one of the very best CB pairings in the league, again a good shift, worked his nuts off..... and notched the winner..... 

Yes Wiz I think a few will certainly share your sentiments, but the margins are so thin arent they....and this was certainly the game to really take the risk I feel as we were a goal down and were not going to run the risk of losing the point we had at the time, because at the time we had nothing. A couple of previous games where he could have perhaps done so I''m not really sure he had the bench to do it, plus these games were generally evenly balanced and a change could have lost us the one point we had, this is how I see it when looking at the bigger picture.   

That one was definately for Snowy Ricardo, nice one! That was an excellent team performance and its great having someone on the bench we can change the game, something I think we have been missing......appears to be yet another astute signing....and I guarantee Becchio will also start to notch soon.....maybe after next week though.   

Have watched a few full live games of Everton this season, they have many quality players and I have been very impressed........other than in the Cup last week, when they didnt look like the team I had seen earlier in the season. That said Felaini was playing a different role and didnt look like he was either fully fit or interested, this will be different Saturday I''m sure and he is the player who will really make the difference if he is up for it.....almost unplayable if he is. I will be OK with a point, but three are really required of course and that would be great and set us up nicely to complete the double over Man U........we can dream!

I agree, a great thread..... This was around the time I had really started to be a regular, was at the game in the Barclay, but didnt guess it from the picture unfortunately...still have the programme too. I certainly remember these days fondly, but really wouldnt like to go back to them.......I like the way ou great club and Carrow Road has been developed over the years, its been a roller coaster ride but that''s what you get when you sign the contract to be a Norwich City supporter. Anyway, this has also reminded me, that I used to receive Birthday Cards from Kenny Foggo and Peter Sylvester....really thought they had signed them too......then realised the cards were signed by the same bloke who played Father Christmas (I was 32 at the time).   

Surely nobody on here would be surprised if Morison notches regularly in The Championship particularly in a team managed by Warnock. He has nothing to prove at that level and is very capable of at least 15-20 in a season.......now, sustaining it in The Premier League is another matter......  

I know how you you feel Tiffey Boy, its an unwelcoming place when you first arrive, and I think you will find that the majority of new posters take some insults and abuse probably by the time they have made a dozen or so posts, I certainly did......you managed it in less than 30 so I guess above average. BUT, there are some really good posters on here that represent all views....a few extreme, but that''s all part of it. Just to remind myself I looked up the definition of "Trolling" and like the one below the best, as I think it sums up the small''ish minority on here, well the part I have highlighted does anyway..... Internet ''trolling'' is the anti-social act of causing of interpersonal conflict and shock-value controversy online. Named for the wicked troll creatures of children''s tales, trolling is purposely sowing hatred, bigotry, racism, misogyny, or just simple bickering between others. Trolls themselves are emotionally-immature users who thrive in any environment where they are allowed to make public comments, like blog sites, news sites, discussion forums, and game chat.     

At the end of the day he was a very low risk loan signing, had some bad luck with us, very little game time and the circumstances just didnt work out.....he moves on and we move on...

Another good subject to debate Wiz, thanks, way better than a lot of stuff we get on here. What I find strange is that you get branded an attention seeker when you start a thread yet this doesnt get thrown at others, anyway......... I  can see your point and accept your view........BUT, I disagree with you on this one, although had to really think about it before I did, as based on that headline statistic this assumption can certainly be made.....and I guess accepted. However.... taking everything into consideration, in particular having seen all of the games at least live here on TV, it is clear that our defence is "better" than last season, as individuals and as a team...and I am convinced that whilst Bunn has done a very decent job between the sticks (a very astute signing by CH as is that of Camp) we would have been slightly better with Ruddy and perhaps 3 or 4 points better off. Having a new GK behind you is always tough for a defence particular replacing the quality of Ruddy. The CH signings across the back four have been terrific, I never thought we would sign a player of the quality of Bassong, a player I have always rated highly, in just our second season......he has been terrific, really top class,  other than a couple of acceptable lapses. nobody''s perfect (Rio and Terry make em too)........Turner after a difficult start has also been terrific........Whittaker is unlucky not to be back in the side and that''s a credit to Russell Martin, but the side certainly looks stronger with him in place.......Bunn has been great and is a top class back-up keeper......my only one I personally need convincing on is Garrido (although I never was a huge fan of Tierney after the first half dozen or so games last season) as he started well but for some games now has been very average, maybe the pace and intensity of the Premier League is getting to him, that said worst case, which is right now, he is on a par with Tierney. The midfield too has performed very well defensively when required, something that was missing last season.....I for one certainly remember us losing the midfield battles way more last season than this. Sure we should have strengthened our forwards situation (I though am delighted we have signed Becchio......he will notch at this level and Holt will thrive too either playing alongside him and/or having some genuine competition) but this is about our defence.......and I will take a lot of convincing that had we stuck with PL''s defence and not signed a back-up GK we may well have been below QPR at this stage of the season. So, Wiz...please keep posting the types of subjects that stimulate good debate, the good one''s on here, and there are many, will join in with the debate while the others can go and masterxxxx for all I care! OTBC 

This is the type of thread that will typically encourage answers from both sides of the Holt and/or McNally fan base, not to mention the now very boring personal insults when you do get the extreme views coming out...and why shouldnt they? I dont agree, but also have no issue at all with others having the opposite view to me, its a message board for 4uck sake!  So, in answer to the question asked "How many supporters would like to turn back the clock and see the Club sell Grant Holt to West Ham for, what was it? 6 million?" I certainly wouldnt, no way....for me the deal done to keep Holt was an excellent bit of business, 3 million would have been a disgrace, 6 million also not enough in terms of value to our club. I am not going to go into a rambling explanation why I think that, I just do based on what I have seen in terms of his overall contribution as a lone front man, captain and leader this season, he has once again been terrific!  I also, get a sneaky suspicion Holt we notch a few more before the end of the season bringing his tally in or around double figures, some would hate that, all very strange OTBC  

Wiz, this is spooky, earlier I was reading the post about what team we should play vs Everton and this almost triggered me to post a similar subject regarding Wes, but I decided not to do it as felt I would just get insults, told I didnt know what I was talking about etc (you klnow all about that) and it wouldnt stimulate a decent balanced debate. So, thanks for posting, it''s a good subject to discuss and has actually stimulated some good responses....because these are the sprts of things message boards are all about. Now, hate to say this, but having read that earlier post I came to the conclusion that vs Everton I would actually not play Wes, but that doesnt mean I think he is over rated. I just think that when he is in the team the shape of the team becomes very rigid, we have become a bit predictable and like somebody elsehas said the opposition has found us out.  For where our club is right now, Wes is certainly one of the most talented players we have on our books. I like seeing him play.......BUT, regardless of his percentages I still dont think he is, shall we say.....one of those "match winner" types of players, as he rarely comes up with the killer pass or a goal created out of nothing......this is now what he needs to do more often, actually a thread a month or so ago discussed this and he scored immediately afterwards......but I dont think he has done that much since in terms of something crucial. He is a very valuable member of the squad, who perhaps has been over used a little this season, I guess because CH doesnt see that many better options within the squad, which maybe true..........perhaps like me CH thinks that Fox IS over rated, sorry Wiz, but I do and have never really understood all of the fuss to be honest, he is decent, a good squad player (for where we are right now) ...I digress...that''s a topic for another thread.      Anyway, over rated....Wes.....depends on what you are looking for.....I just can''t make my mind about this one......a match winner vs Everton when we really need it, then I guess I will have to say NO.......OTBC

Very please about this, just the type of player I like to see play for our great club......even when he is not on top form still gives it 100%, great energy, good engine. What I have to mention is,,,,,,,take a look at our squad only three season ago and compare it to what we have now............despite many peoples negativity on here, City have moved forward at an amazing pace particularly when considering the financial situation back then too. I also think the signings CH has made have added some real quality particularly considering the budget, just need a few more points now of course.

I am really not fussed and dont mind the current music........but please lets not try anything by The Proclaimers again or resort to anthing like the Z Cars theme!