Midfield overrun, again

[grefstad 0]

As pointed out before, although I got hammered for it by the ignorants, we seriously lack running power in midfield. Overrun so easily today by Leicester in the first half.

The result not helped by Howson giving the ball away easily on both goals, but the proof in the pudding is that neither Tettey, Howson, Dorrans, Jarvis or Wes was doing much off the ball in the first half.

It is beyond belief that some of the ignorants in this forum fail to see this basic failing in our team.

And where are all the "we have started the season so well, so why worry" people now? 9 points from a possible 24 is hardly very good. Remember against presumably rather weak opposition as well.

We ought to have 12 or 15 points by now, but we have not. Not comfortable by how we looked today, and I think there is a lot to do with our midfield setup to get the machine running properly.

As for the team chosen by AN today, it was pretty clear, although in hindsight, that picking Brady/Jarvis on the left instead of Olsson/Brady was a mistake.

Likely starting Howson on the right instead of Redmond too.

And Jerome starting instead of Mbokani. Mbokani is twice the player and three times the threat compared to Jerome.

Whittaker should look long over his shoulder now, having had a very poor game. Very easily exposed by players with pace.

[morty 0]

Oh shut your whining.

[grefstad 0]

Superb oneliner, Morty.

I guess you won´t enter into a discussion about our failings, "because we are doing so well"?

[Rolf Harris 33]

I think it was more Vardy taking advantage of our defence.

[morty 0]

If you have been a Norwich fan longer than 20 minutes, you will know we lose games.

Perhaps you need to learn to deal with it better.

[ron obvious 1,711]

I might agree with you if today was our up to our usual standard.

It was really, really odd. After about 5 minutes most of our players looked terminally tired. Howson, Brady, Tettey, Wes, were all well below par. Even so, we made the first decent chance (for Jerome) & Leicester were losing the ball all over the shop - but, instead of encouraging us, we just got more lethargic than ever. Our crisp one-touch passing, clever dribbling & instant ball control all disappeared. Instead, Leicester rapidly got better & second guessed all our attempted trickery, continually winning the ball off us.

It was a bit Southamptonesque; the only consolation was the gung-ho Lambertesque ending!

An entertaining game, but bloody annoying! Hopefully Alex will have learnt a lot from that. Onwards & upwards!

[Boris 62]

Very entertaining secund half with totally 25 corners lolDespite that we start to look Blackpool mk2 mean them in Premiere ...Conceed at least 2  evry game play very open...Silly penalty once more against us we must start be more start and more balanced as a team.

[grefstad 0]

And the contributions by our midfield in the first half going on the offensive?

Little or no movement, not triangles created, no creating of better passing angles for the man with the ball, etc. It was static, and this is what the Opta stats have shown all season for us. Espescially when we are without Redmond and with Jerome off form, we are very static, as there is virtually no other player to run behind and stretch the opposition defense, making space for Wes.

It is a problem.

[morty 0]

Your constant whining is a problem.

[Herman 11,136]

We could run a million miles a game, but if we play shit for most we will still probably lose.And be very knackered.

[grefstad 0]

[quote user="morty"]Your constant whining is a problem.[/quote]

I''d say your constant oneliners and no opinions is a problem. You are likely one of the ignorants. You know, those who lock themselves in their rooms, hoping bad things go away. Those who hope "others" find a solution. So you don''t have to occupy your precious ignorant head by actually doing some thinking, or, God forbid, contribute in something called a forum.

[grefstad 0]

[quote user="Herman "]We could run a million miles a game, but if we play shit for most we will still probably lose.And be very knackered.[/quote]

True, Herman, but there must be a balance. Even good players look shite if they don''t put in the effort.

[Essjayess 307]

Midfield had an off day today, Cam was ok up front but probably its time for Mbokani and Lafferty to have their  chance to start matches. Still dont understand why Alex persists with Brady in defence, we need Olsson in.But 8 games in, i see nothing to change my view that our defence will get us relegated. Its not being a doom and gloom merchant, its from what i see on the pitch, wether City win or lose. We should have been 4-0 down at half time, Whittaker again was just weak, give Ryan Bennett his chance, as thats all we have as cover. But ultimately, its a championship quality defence  imo, and wont be shocked to see City fail to keep a single clean sheet the whole season.

[morty 0]

Yes Grefstad, there must be balance, correct.

Have you considered using this principal when posting at all? When was the last time you had anything positive to post about the team you allegedly support?

But of course, we don''t see you when we''re winning...

We had an off day, we deal with it and we move on.

[Guest]

A frustrating afternoon. But no need to go over the top with criticisms. We lost by one goal.A lot of players performances were well below par in that first half, and when that happens you''re always going to struggle, regardless of the starting line-up or manager''s tactics.While I feel the starting line-up was wrong, it''s down to the players to make the system the manager chooses work.  AN pointed out it in his post-match interview those tactics worked at West Ham, who are also a good counter attacking side.  My main gripe is AN''s decision not to change it at half time. In fairness he gave his players a chance to put things right and they let him down straight away and it''s 2-0.  He might not be so faithful to them next time.I still believe it''s been a positive start to the season. So far... 

[vos 176]

I did not see this as a case of our "midfield overrun". Leicester compressed the midfield and kept it very tight and closed down our midfield ball players down very quickly. We had plenty of the ball on the right in the first half but Whittaker in particular was having a very off day with his passing and Redmond was not there. In the first half we played an odd formation with Bassong/Martin out quite wide with Tettey in a very defensive central role. This meant we were very vulnerable to quick breaks. Based on our second half fightback we deserved a point but it seems ages since we last scored from a corner. I think we have to accept that Ranieri won the tactical battle quite comfortably.

[JF 694]

Worst performance of the season by a long way today and we got exactly what we deserved. Unfortunately we haven''t got what we deserved in previous matches which leaves us with less points than we really should have. Far to many players were off their game and at this level that will always result in defeat. Next match Neil must start ''Dave'' up front and let''s see what he''s about, Mulumbo as soon as match fit needs to replace Tettey who is giving possession away far too cheaply. The less we say about Howsons and Whittickers performances the better. All in all no one other than Dave has come out of that with any credit and unfortunately we have to wait 2 weeks now to right the wrongs.

[JF 694]

Also will add that Neil has barely put a foot wrong since being here but today he did. Leicester were far too dominant in the latter stages of the first half for us to send the same team and tactics out for the second. He did and it left us with a mountain to climb. Hopefully he learns from it and we push on.

[SwindonCanary 457]

It was not only the midfield that didn''t play well, as Alex Niel said  "I thought our use of the ball was sloppy and too slow, and Leicester punished that today."That was our main problem and I''m pleased that AN spotted it !