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ricardo

Ricardo's report v Liverpool

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It was dark enough for lights when we rode off to CR this evening to see yet another team selection picked straight out of Delia's teapot. What the aim is I can't say, other than it gives everyone a runout. It looked like five across the back with Gianoullis and Mumba as the wide men and Idah and Tzolis at the sharp end.

If Farke was hoping for a more solid defence then he must have been very disappointed as City went behind early on. They were a bit tentative from the off with a lot of safety first passing across the back that eventually failed against the Liverpool press. A corner from the left was headed down and Minimino was all alone to slot back across Gunn into the far corner.

It could have been 1-1 pretty quickly as a Liverpool attack broke down on the edge of our box and Gilmour came away before delivering a great ball for Tzolis to take in his stride down the City left. Unfortunately his hard, low angled pass had just too much on it for the inrushing Idah to connect.

The visitors dominated most of the early exchanges with Oxtail Chambermaid pulling most of the strings alongside Keita and Gomez and Konate showing how defending should be done. However, apart from a couple of headers over the bar Gunn was not seriously troubled again. Indeed at about the mid way stage the home side began to have a greater share of the ball and started to carve out openings. Tzoli might have done better with a header and Idah could only find the keeper when a nice move gave him a chance from about ten yards.

With half time fast approaching, another spell of City pressure gave Tzolis an opening from twent yards and his stinging shot was goalbound until Kelleher punched it away. Gianoullis then skipped past a defender but was barged in the back and for ref Darren England, it was an easy decision to point to the spot. So, a great chance to equalise and probably deserved on balance but my heart sank when I saw them bickering over who was to take it. These things should be sorted out before the game because in my experience it is an invitation for something to go wrong and of course it did exactly that as Tzolis smashed his shot against Kelleher's legs and niether Idah nor Lees Malou could stick in the rebound.

Being level would have made a big difference and when City started on the front foot in the second half and Lees Malou skied over the bar with the goal gaping I think we could all see where this was going. Inevitably Liverpool soon netted a second when Origi stole between Hanley and Gibson to nod into the corner leaving Gunn stranded. On another night and in another part of the Multiverse it could easily have been 2-2 at this stage but I'm afraid we are stuck in the Universe of pain at the moment.

Pukki and Raschica came on for Mumba and Tzolis but it didn't change much as City managed to continue to squander any opening that presented itself. With ten minutes left Minimino manged to slowly walk behind the ball as it rolled untouched into the net with City defenders looking at each other instead of the ball. You could excuse it in an under 12's Sunday league game if you really tried to not make the boys cry.

Just before the end Idah was free on the left but decided to go from a tight angle instead of laying it across to two unmarked yellow shirts on the six yard line. That just about summed it up for me, Toothless upfront, hopeless at the back.

Tzolis, lively but should not have taken the pen, Gilmour, some nice touches, Rupp industrious, the rest meh and I'm afraid Gunny is not good enough for the Prem on this showing.

 

Edited by ricardo
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3 minutes ago, ricardo said:

It was dark enough for lights when we rode off to CR this evening to see yet another team selection picked straight out of Delia's teapot. What the aim is I can't say, other than it gives everyone a runout. It looked like five across the back with Gianoullis and Mumba as the wide men and Idah and Tzolis at the sharp end.

If Farke was hoping for a more solid defence then he must have been very disappointed as City went behind early on. They were a bit tentative from the off with a lot of safety first passing across the back that eventually failed against the Liverpool press. A corner from the left was headed down and Minimino was all alone to slot back across Gunn into the far corner.

It could have been 1-1 pretty quickly as a Liverpool attack broke down on the edge of our box and Gilmour came away before delivering a great ball for Tzolis to take in his stride down the City left. Unfortunately his hard, low angled pass had just too much on it for the inrushing Idah to connect.

The visitors dominated most of the early exchanges with Oxtail Chambermaid pulling most of the strings alongside Keita and Gomez and Konate showing how defending should be done. However, apart from a couple of headers over the bar Gunn was not seriously troubled again. Indeed at about the mid way stage the home side began to have a greater share of the ball and started to carve out openings. Tzoli might have done better with a header and Idah could only find the keeper when a nice move gave him a chance from about ten yards.

With half time fast approaching, another spell of City pressure gave Tzolis an opening from twent yards and his stinging shot was goalbound until Kelleher punched it away. Gianoullis then skipped past a defender but was barged in the back and for ref Darren England, it was an easy decision to point to the spot. So, a great chance to equalise and probably deserved on balance but my heart sank when I saw them bickering over who was to take it. These things should be sorted out before the game because in my experience it is an invitation for something to go wrong and of course it did exactly that as Tzolis smashed his shot against Kelleher's legs and niether Idah nor Lees Malou could stick in the rebound.

Being level would have made a big difference and when City started on the front foot in the second half and Lees Malou skied over the bar with the goal gaping I think we could all see where this was going. Inevitably Liverpool soon netted a second when Origi stole between Hanley and Gibson to nod into the corner leaving Gunn stranded. On another night and in another part of the Multiverse it could easily have been 2-2 at this stage but I'm afraid we are stuck in the Universe of pain at the moment.

Pukki and Raschica came on for Mumba and Tzolis but it didn't change much as City managed to continue to squander any opening that presented itself. With ten minutes left Minimino manged to slowly walk behind the ball as it rolled untouched into the net with City defenders looking at each other instead of the ball. You could excuse it in an under 12's Sunday league game if you really tried to not make the boys cry.

Just before the end Idah was free on the left but decided to go from a tight angle instead of laying it across to two unmarked yellow shirts on the six yard line. That just about summed it up for me, Toothless upfront, hopeless at the back.

 

Don’t think you have to wait for 12 matches to be completed to do predictions this season Ricardo. 

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Just now, Midlands Yellow said:

Don’t think you have to wait for 12 matches to be completed to do predictions this season Ricardo. 

Probably correct. Oh and I forgot to mention that I boo'd some idiot who nearly had me off my bike in King St on the way home.

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A good review and matched exactly what I saw. Too many loose passes. If this was tennis, they'd have run out of space in the "unforced errors" column...

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3 minutes ago, ricardo said:

Probably correct. Oh and I forgot to mention that I boo'd some idiot who nearly had me off my bike in King St on the way home.

Does that count as tinpot booing? 

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Cheers Ricardo, pretty much how I saw it too. You can almost taste your frustration in your words! We need to get out of this funk, and quickly. The hole is getting deeper.

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2 minutes ago, keelansgrandad said:

Its the oldbooing recycled😁

I kindof boo'd a 'fan' infront of me at the match tonight. 

He was live streaming the first 30 mins via insta I think it was. Wasn't impressed when we started an attack and he stood up for a better angle to stream from, with his phone blocking my view. Lets just say he didn't do it again!  

I did want to ask if his name was Bill! 

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10 hours ago, Dean Coneys boots said:

Maybe you should predict how many points we get. Unless things click soon I am predicting lowest ever haul in top flight 

I'm still waiting until 12 games have gone but admittedly 12 points look a long way off.

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Liverpool's press was so intense in both game halves, their front line and midfield at times were so far forward, they were clambering around in the first 3 rows of the Lower Barclay and River End......

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27 minutes ago, Mello Yello said:

Liverpool's press was so intense in both game halves, their front line and midfield at times were so far forward, they were clambering around in the first 3 rows of the Lower Barclay and River End......

I think you identify the issue. EPL teams know that we like to play out from the back in an almost suicidal fashion, possession based, but are pretty ineffective on the break. So they play the odds -  high press and as sure as night follows day we'll give the ball away. And yes then they're clinal. Game over.

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9 hours ago, Capt. Pants said:

Comfortably our worst performance of the season. Changes required I'm afraid.

Next match we should be handing our paper bags at CR , to put over our heads when the opposition we're supposed to beat score a 4th minute opener after a defensive mix up. No booing , just silence and the crackling of paper bags. Same way to get your point across. They do it in the states and it has an enormous effect.

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22 minutes ago, Yellow Fever said:

I think you identify the issue. EPL teams know that we like to play out from the back in an almost suicidal fashion, possession based, but are pretty ineffective on the break. So they play the odds -  high press and as sure as night follows day we'll give the ball away. And yes then they're clinal. Game over.

You have to earn he right to be given that much space at the back. We have not earned it, so we will be pressed like this is every game. Thus the need for a way to play higher up the pitch and fast.... We risk with no reward. So you can not keep doing that.. as it's just like placing your money on green at the casino.... 

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Next two matches away. I doubt our away supporters protest too much so lets see how our players with the tender natures get on.

Its getting silly. Booing is the tamest and most general form of protest. Its not like the poor devils are getting the abuse many players get.

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55 minutes ago, ricardo said:

I'm still waiting until 12 games have gone but admittedly 12 points look a long way off.

Exactly where I'm at.

Cannot honestly see how we can get going this time around though. We are really struggling.

Defence, midfield and attack all look deficient so it's not just one specific area. Unsure at the moment on our recruitment but less so than the team dynamic.

What I'm not going to do is jump on the bandwagon of doom. Life is too short to spend such hours posting angry comments. Not a healthy pastime, not a balanced thing to engage in. Life has its ups and downs. That includes Norwich City life.

And even in this grim phase there are maybe 70+ other teams in the leagues who would swap places with us. Whatever that lot down the road think (for the binner fans on this board) we are literally leagues apart in so many respects and that's not going to change any time soon. Perspective. Or is it wisdom?(the only thing worth gaining as we age unfortunately).

You've said many times we have been privileged to have been part of our journey especially this last decade. I'm still very proud of who we are and how we go about things. Actually, having written that, I would even say I'm intensely proud.

In the final analysis nothing can stop you supporting the team you love can it? You don't throw away something that's been so good just when times get tough you support even more.

Ah well...can only just dream of getting our first point. No idea now when. A bit of luck is certainly overdue too.

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7 minutes ago, sonyc said:

Exactly where I'm at.

Cannot honestly see how we can get going this time around though. We are really struggling.

Defence, midfield and attack all look deficient so it's not just one specific area. Unsure at the moment on our recruitment but less so than the team dynamic.

What I'm not going to do is jump on the bandwagon of doom. Life is too short to spend such hours posting angry comments. Not a healthy pastime, not a balanced thing to engage in. Life has its ups and downs. That includes Norwich City life.

And even in this grim phase there are maybe 70+ other teams in the leagues who would swap places with us. Whatever that lot down the road think (for the binner fans on this board) we are literally leagues apart in so many respects and that's not going to change any time soon. Perspective. Or is it wisdom?(the only thing worth gaining as we age unfortunately).

You've said many times we have been privileged to have been part of our journey especially this last decade. I'm still very proud of who we are and how we go about things. Actually, having written that, I would even say I'm intensely proud.

In the final analysis nothing can stop you supporting the team you love can it? You don't throw away something that's been so good just when times get tough you support even more.

Ah well...can only just dream of getting our first point. No idea now when. A bit of luck is certainly overdue too.

Much truth here SONYC

IMO the recruitment has been decent and most definitely an upgrade. The only problem is that everyone else has upgraded and we are still one step behind.

Those of us with a long history of supporting NCFC can appreciate the progress and realise that it could very easily have gone the other way, as indeed it did further down the A140. A knee jerk reaction will probably be for the worse. I began the season with no illusions and have often stated on here that relegation is still the most likely outcome despite the upgrades so although a little disappointed I am not surprised by our current position.

I understand that many are upset with the "Yoyo", but what they need to worry about is when the "Yoyo" stops. A decade in the lower grade and many lambs will fall by the wayside. Full houses and constant exciting seasons are not a given and never will be.

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42 minutes ago, sonyc said:

Exactly where I'm at.

Cannot honestly see how we can get going this time around though. We are really struggling.

Defence, midfield and attack all look deficient so it's not just one specific area. Unsure at the moment on our recruitment but less so than the team dynamic.

What I'm not going to do is jump on the bandwagon of doom. Life is too short to spend such hours posting angry comments. Not a healthy pastime, not a balanced thing to engage in. Life has its ups and downs. That includes Norwich City life.

And even in this grim phase there are maybe 70+ other teams in the leagues who would swap places with us. Whatever that lot down the road think (for the binner fans on this board) we are literally leagues apart in so many respects and that's not going to change any time soon. Perspective. Or is it wisdom?(the only thing worth gaining as we age unfortunately).

You've said many times we have been privileged to have been part of our journey especially this last decade. I'm still very proud of who we are and how we go about things. Actually, having written that, I would even say I'm intensely proud.

In the final analysis nothing can stop you supporting the team you love can it? You don't throw away something that's been so good just when times get tough you support even more.

Ah well...can only just dream of getting our first point. No idea now when. A bit of luck is certainly overdue too.

Nicely put sonyc, I agree. 

Having looked at Liverpool's starting line up, I reckon 8 of them would have a very strong chance of being in our first 11, for all the talk of it being their second string. 

It highlights the strength of the division and I just hope we can find a way of competing. 

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33 minutes ago, Fuzzar said:

Nicely put sonyc, I agree. 

Having looked at Liverpool's starting line up, I reckon 8 of them would have a very strong chance of being in our first 11, for all the talk of it being their second string. 

It highlights the strength of the division and I just hope we can find a way of competing. 

Yep, TBH Konate, Gomez, Keita, Ox-Cham, Minamino, Tsimikas, Origi, maybe Jones all get into most prem teams. 

Ricardo's summary doesn't mention Giannoulis who was by far our best player last night in my opinion.

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4 hours ago, ricardo said:

Much truth here SONYC

IMO the recruitment has been decent and most definitely an upgrade. The only problem is that everyone else has upgraded and we are still one step behind.

Those of us with a long history of supporting NCFC can appreciate the progress and realise that it could very easily have gone the other way, as indeed it did further down the A140. A knee jerk reaction will probably be for the worse. I began the season with no illusions and have often stated on here that relegation is still the most likely outcome despite the upgrades so although a little disappointed I am not surprised by our current position.

I understand that many are upset with the "Yoyo", but what they need to worry about is when the "Yoyo" stops. A decade in the lower grade and many lambs will fall by the wayside. Full houses and constant exciting seasons are not a given and never will be.

The board have been known to jerk the old knees now and again of course.

At the moment there is very little noise about changing things and we have two away games to come. Should we lose them then I can foresee an outburst at home to Brighton should nothing improve.

To be honest, I don't know who could come in and turn it around. We look totally lightweight and easily brushed aside. So it is going to take something else to improve us.

I think a helping hand for the coaching staff is needed. Someone to set us up defensively so that we stop conceding so many. Then perhaps the forward players can get cracking and show us why we bought them.

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Defending is a team thing. At the moment, none of our additions are closing down space like we did as a team last year. Buendia, Cantwell and Dowell were all over the opposition CDMs and our fullbacks closed down crosses. So far this season, that hasn't happened. We look like conceding whenever we don't have the ball.

I'm just hoping against hope that it will click once everyone is fit and knows their jobs. At the moment it feels a lot like Fulham last year.

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10 minutes ago, sgncfc said:

Defending is a team thing. At the moment, none of our additions are closing down space like we did as a team last year. Buendia, Cantwell and Dowell were all over the opposition CDMs and our fullbacks closed down crosses. So far this season, that hasn't happened. We look like conceding whenever we don't have the ball.

I'm just hoping against hope that it will click once everyone is fit and knows their jobs. At the moment it feels a lot like Fulham last year.

But we were in a lower division. SGNCFC. We had to improve, not just stand still.

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1 minute ago, keelansgrandad said:

But we were in a lower division. SGNCFC. We had to improve, not just stand still.

I agree - but I actually think we've gone backwards so far. This team, the way it is playing, wouldn't win the Championship. Yet everyone agrees that overall we have better players. Logically, it follows that eventually they will improve........

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@ricardo

Like many on here I hold you and your thoughts in high regard.

So what’s the best way forward for us?

Im not a knee jerk fan and I am a large Farke fan but with the team looking so disjointed and DF sounding not his normal composed self even I’m starting to struggle to see away out of this for him.

I know things can change but atm ……….

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I like DF a lot. But he is clearly out of his depth at this level. I would like an amicable parting as I want to remember the 2 promotions, not an increasingly acrimonious end.

The home game v Blackburn in '19 is one of my best NCFC memories, it will be a shame if that is not the main legacy.

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32 minutes ago, Mr Tea said:

@ricardo

Like many on here I hold you and your thoughts in high regard.

So what’s the best way forward for us?

Im not a knee jerk fan and I am a large Farke fan but with the team looking so disjointed and DF sounding not his normal composed self even I’m starting to struggle to see away out of this for him.

I know things can change but atm ……….

We are unique in the Premier League by being totally self funded and have a long term plan to maintain stability. That means swapping managers anytime things go wrong is not really desirable  and indeed I would go so far as to say it is no longer a realistic option unless he loses the changing room.

Relegation may well beckon again but I would prefer that to going down the Allardyce or Pullis road because we must all know where that will eventually lead. I trust that Stuart Webber won't  be panicked into any precipitate action which IMO would be the worst of all worlds. 

We may well have to Yoyo again but I can live with that. I know that answer will not satisfy everyone.

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7 hours ago, ricardo said:

I understand that many are upset with the "Yoyo", but what they need to worry about is when the "Yoyo" stops. A decade in the lower grade and many lambs will fall by the wayside. Full houses and constant exciting seasons are not a given and never will be.

I won't be complaining if the yo-yoing stops when we're in the up cycle rather than the down cycle.

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