Bill 1,788 Posted October 16, 2016 Forgot about Huddersfield playing today and just checked.We are top despite failing to sign another striker in the summer, having a manager with hardly any experience and a chairman who cavorts about as if he he is having a trial for the binners as their new centre forward.We are top...... little ole Norwichso fark all you moaners, whingers, gripers and closet binners Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill 1,788 Posted October 16, 2016 I expect Huddersfield will have had their moment in the sun and that it will soon become a two horse race. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Budapest Canary 152 Posted October 16, 2016 We''re going up up up. Shame about the Newcastle game, we could easily be 4 points clear, but there. Nice to be on top. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill 1,788 Posted October 16, 2016 It''s ours to lose ... as they say.Totally agree about N''castle away.However what will tell this winter is the depth of various squads. The usually toll of injuries and suspensions will equal themselves out amongst the others but should be a great benefit to us.ps would another season in the PL be as enjoyable as this ie travelling down to London om Tues as favourites rather than the whipping boys ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van wink 2,994 Posted October 16, 2016 Outdated 😀 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nutty nigel 7,509 Posted October 16, 2016 Do you keep a winning team. Or do you tinker? Whichever way will please some and displease others. Some even want whichever it isn''t. Nice problem to have though[;)] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,531 Posted October 16, 2016 [:)] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill 1,788 Posted October 16, 2016 [quote user="nutty nigel"]Do you keep a winning team. Or do you tinker? Whichever way will please some and displease others. Some even want whichever it isn''t. Nice problem to have though[;)][/quote]oi, git orf moir threadthis is about us be an top not team selection Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SwindonCanary 455 Posted October 16, 2016 Yes, we are top but as Rafael Benitez said it''s not worth look at the table this early in the season Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nutty nigel 7,509 Posted October 16, 2016 [quote user="Barbara Blacksheep"][quote user="nutty nigel"]Do you keep a winning team. Or do you tinker? Whichever way will please some and displease others. Some even want whichever it isn''t. Nice problem to have though[;)][/quote]oi, git orf moir threadthis is about us be an top not team selection[/quote]Well it''s becoming about Ched being not guilty of rape. Like every other thread. Including Rays Funds where the great man''s name has been substituted with ''Ched''. I can now understand why a poster may be moved to the point of issuing death threats. I''ll just be happy the day winky gets to lick that spoon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill 1,788 Posted October 16, 2016 Will we still be celebrating being top on Tues night I wonder ?I will say an emphatic YES{which means this thread may be resurrected, or allowed to die depending on the result). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,531 Posted October 19, 2016 No. Achilles heel showing........ again. All very well to celebrate being top but getting too optimistic at this stage is pointless when we are so obviously poor at closing out games. The penny doesn''t seem to have dropped with the players or the manager. After halt time, at 2-0 up we should have closed up and played to frustrate Fulham. Instead of which according to the manager we carried on the same after half time as we had in the first half. We had the game won at 2-0 so why would we carry on the same? In that second half a defensive attitude set up to frustrate Fulham would have been more effective. Close ranks, nine men behind the ball would have meant Fulham had no space to work in. The second goal particularly was criminal given the state of the game. Way, way too open. The percentages are not being played - too often if we play one poor pass the team is stretched and out of position. Time to realise that if we get two goals ahead in games we should close up shop and be defensive.It''s not rocket science. Two goals up and the opposition have nothing to lose and are going to go all out to attack, so if you are patient, keep your shape and bide your time you will get chances on the break to finish ne game. How we play kind of works at home or against lesser opposition, but only just. Newcastle away and now Fulham away surely means the penny has to drop? Get ahead by two goals, bank up your players in a disciplined way and don''t let the opposition have a sniff. We just don''t do that - but it''s about time we did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FenwayFrank 2,456 Posted October 19, 2016 So if we go two up on Saturday you''d be happy for Howson to come on for Murphy and Ryan Bennett for Wes ? I certainly wouldn''t. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,531 Posted October 19, 2016 [quote user="FenwayFrank"]So if we go two up on Saturday you''d be happy for Howson to come on for Murphy and Ryan Bennett for Wes ? I certainly wouldn''t.[/quote]Howson may not be fit for Saturday. At two up I would bring on defensive midfielders for Wes and Pritchard and make sure there are no spaces for the opposition to get through us for the rest of the game. Thomson, Mulumbu, Dorrans and Tettey across the park with strict instructions to stay in shape and full backs to stay back. It may not be pretty, but if two goals up, the effort would be appreciated if we keep a clean sheet for once. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FenwayFrank 2,456 Posted October 19, 2016 So if we''re two up after 15 minutes and playing well and looking like we could go on to get three or four before half time you''d go all defensive. No thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hairy Canary 668 Posted October 19, 2016 I agree LDC.It''s something we have not been able or even tried to do both last season and this. We don''t need to change the personnel to put it into practice so talk along the lines of bringing on Bennett and talking off Wes is not the point. It''s about not pushing the full backs forward, dropping Tetty back to support in front of the back line so we are not so open to the type of pass that led to Fulham''s second goal. It''s about looking to catch the opposition on the break when time starts to go against them and they over commit looking for a goal by going slightly more direct to use the space they have vacated.Unfortunately it looks as if we don''t have the inclination to manage the game in that way an therefore we will always be susceptible to opposition comebacks - there are quite a few examples that prove the point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,531 Posted October 19, 2016 [quote user="FenwayFrank"]So if we''re two up after 15 minutes and playing well and looking like we could go on to get three or four before half time you''d go all defensive. No thanks[/quote]There are circumstances that change things of course. But if we go two up with say 30 or 20 minutes to go, then tht is what I am thinking about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill 1,788 Posted October 19, 2016 lake district canary - The penny doesn''t seem to have dropped with the players or the manager. Perhaps you should tell them.As I''m sure it hasn''t occurred to any off them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites