Tactics

[Allez17 0]

With Wes back in the side, Norwich''s tactical decision to play with one winger now seems a little redundant and, I''d argue, in need to changing before the next game. We currently play with Lappin and Daley on either side, a typical balance of craft and pace. Lappin has the peach of a left foot and Daley has raw pace. This is a tactic that has been employed for who knows how long, and most successfully with Sir Alex at United. Back in the day he used Giggs and Beckham to provide both a direct, pacey threat and clinical, incisive deliveries. This evolved over time to include Ronaldo as the direct member while Giggs, in old age, has sat back in the Beckham role to great affect.While I''m not going to argue against Lappin''s inclusion in the team, Daley has shown repeatedly over the last few matches that while he has the pace for the job, his head down running (a criticism often levelled at Huckerby) provides bugger all final ball (a criticism not often levelled at Huckerby). His m.o seems to be running down the right hand side and trying to put balls onto Holt''s head, but this is often lacking. Now, the switch to McVeigh on the right provides provides a problem of pace - neither he nor Lappin are going to beat their players, so we are reduced to sitting 30 yards out and passing amongst ourselves.But would this be the case with Hoolahan sitting behind Holt? I''d argue not. With Hoolahan in a free role, spreading the ball, bringing the middle 2 into play (who would need to get forward more as we are playing with 1 striker), and spraying the ball down the wing, we could actually increase the effectiveness of the wide players without them ever needing to beat their man. Lappin and McVeigh wouldnt need to risk losing the ball, taking a player on, but use their experience to get behind defenders and onto the end of Wizardish through-balls, giving opportunities for crosses from the byline that players like this wouldn''t normally have. Wes, aside from playing as a second striker, would anchor a midfield allowing Hughes and Smith to get forward. It''s clear that the move to 4-5-1 was attacking in nature to begin with, despite what naysayers would say about playing with 1 striker. A similar move for Norwich, bringing Hoolahan in, would allow us to play 2 crafty wingers with excellent final balls - a truly balanced side.

[Mr. Bump 0]

Good post

[Downloads 35]

Was always going to look more balanced with Wes in the team playing off the striker, especially because we only have one good striker too. Glad the problems with him and Lambert got sorted and thus we can look forward to more impressive displays i reckon. Thought our constantly complaining about the missing Hoolahan might be to no avail Bumpy! Thank God not!

[Mr. Bump 0]

[quote user="Downloads"]

Was always going to look more balanced with Wes in the team playing off the striker, especially because we only have one good striker too. Glad the problems with him and Lambert got sorted and thus we can look forward to more impressive displays i reckon. Thought our constantly complaining about the missing Hoolahan might be to no avail Bumpy! Thank God not!

[/quote]Me too, thought we''d seen the last of him in a City shirt (apart from another one or two performances in the reserves), so delighted he''s back in the first team picture. [:D]

[Howson is now! 0]

Was really impressed with Hoolahan today. I was worried he was going to be off but hopefully, all is sorted and we can push on with him in the team.

Lappin seemed out of sorts today. His crossing was not too good and his head seemed to go down after 20 minutes. Just a blip I hope cos I think he''s been one of our best performers so far this season.

How Hoolahan got MOM over Korey Smith is beyond me. Smith was absolutely immense today. Had he got that volley in, it would have capped off an amazing display on his behalf. After a few games someone on these boards asked me what I thought of Adeyemi and Smith and who I''d pick ahead of the other. At the time I said Adeyemi but Smith had done really well in the games he''d played. What a star he''s becoming. He broke up so many plays today it was unbelivable. Pleased for Hoolahan getting MOM but really thought it should have been young Korey.