Ricardo's Report v Orient

[ricardo 8,034]

For the first 10 minutes or so Orient looked a decent side with Andros Townsend opening us up down the left and young Rudd had to make a good stop to keep the score sheet blank. We seemed to be very lethargic early on but once Wes had got going it began to look like one way traffic.

Gary Doc was a surprise inclusion and the announcement of his name seemed to bring an equal number of boo''s and cheers. I wonder how the booers feel after what can only be termed a Doc masterclass. Not a tackle missed or a pass misplaced and young Jarvis and Scummer Scowcroft never had a touch of any note.

How we arrived at half time with the score still blank is a mystery to me, Wes set up Lappin with a clear chance which the keeper somehow blocked and then Wes himself went through with a neat exchange of passes with Grant Holt only for the keeper to again deflect his goalbound effort.

Patience is a virtue they say and I for one was beggining to think the goal would never come. Even Orient going down to 10 men didn''t seem to make much difference as the 10 men stepped up their efforts to keep us out. The opener, when it came was as sweet as a little nut. Wes to Korey Smith and quickly on to Martin, whose powerful shot arrowed into the bottom corner. Korey Smith was magnificent in everything he did and playing alongside a rehabilitated Wes and are highly experienced Russell he can only continue to get better.

Orient seemd to flag badly then and it was no surprise when further goals followed, Holts chest down and volley was worthy of a higher level and Spillanes cut in and curling thunderbolt were no more than our excellent approach play deserved. It was all starting to go right and when Barndoor Jamie was introduced 23000 people were willing him to score. Right at the death he ran clear and was one on one with the keeper, how many times have we seen him fluff his lines from this position but tonight he got it spot on and I am sure it was as much a relief for the crowd as it was for Jamie lad himself.

If we can continue to perform at this level then it has to be onward and upward but being Norwich City fans we all know how easily it can all go tits up. Tonight however is a night to celebrate, the young guns are performing better with every match and the the old stagers are showing that they are not going to give up their places without a fight.

True Norwich City fans expect no less and ask for no more.

[Lincs CR 0]

Top report Ricardo, very insightful reading once again :)

[Canary Wundaboy 1,423]

Can''t argue with any of that Ricardo, however credit goes to Orient for keeping us out as long as they did. They were on every single player all the time, didn''t give us any time or space, and even the chances we had, while solid, were lightening fast and were forced. Orient played really well but the moment the first goal came, their heads dropped and I''m not suprised the scoreline ended up as it did. Docherty played brilliantly, Jamie scored, we kept a clean sheet, Rudd make a couple of decent saves, everyone looked lively (if a little goal shy) but overall it was a really good performance.Special mention goes to the red-carded t***, absolutely horrific challenge, last of a series of dirty ones by Orient, ref got it spot on as he did all night (mostly, one penalty appeal for us which I reckon should''ve been given, but we got enough luck for one night!). Linesman at the N&P end needs new glasses, awful all evening.

[NCFC_Shaun 0]

I thought Lambert got it spot on today. I wasn''t sure how to change a team that was playing so well, but was clearly lacking something as we couldn''t score. Bringing off McVeigh seemed the only option, yet, then we had no right midfielder. Lambert put Drury and Spillane as wing-backs who were basically playing as midfielders. Darrell Russell was pushed back into deep midfield to provide cover for Doc and Askou. Smith, Lappin and Hoolahan made up a 3 man midfield and Holt had a partner upfront in Martin. Genius, and it worked perfectly!

[Shack Attack 0]

A very fair report as ever Ricardo [Y]Korey Smith will go on to play at a much, much higher level than this and his partnership with Russell in CM gave us a very solid base. Hoolahan looks a completely different player to the one who looked lost out on the left wing in the early part of his City career and some of his link up play with Grant Holt towards the end of the first half was almost telepathic.The only minor complaint I would have is with the performance of our two wide midfielders. McVeigh was largely ineffectual and after a good start to the season Lappin reverted back to being distinctly average. Lucky for us that Spillane provided a real attacking threat on the right, with his well taken goal being the icing on the cake, and Drury rolled back the years to remind us how highly thought of he was when he first joined.How did the Peroni slip down tonight?

[ricardo 8,034]

[quote user="Shack Attack"]A very fair report as ever Ricardo [Y]

Korey Smith will go on to play at a much, much higher level than this and his partnership with Russell in CM gave us a very solid base. Hoolahan looks a completely different player to the one who looked lost out on the left wing in the early part of his City career and some of his link up play with Grant Holt towards the end of the first half was almost telepathic.

The only minor complaint I would have is with the performance of our two wide midfielders. McVeigh was largely ineffectual and after a good start to the season Lappin reverted back to being distinctly average. Lucky for us that Spillane provided a real attacking threat on the right, with his well taken goal being the icing on the cake, and Drury rolled back the years to remind us how highly thought of he was when he first joined.

How did the Peroni slip down tonight?
[/quote]

Unfortunately not at all Shack. I had one this afternoon and Mrs Ricardo says thats my limit for the day.

LOL

[Shack Attack 0]

[quote user="ricardo"]

[quote user="Shack Attack"]How did the Peroni slip down tonight?[/quote]

Unfortunately not at all Shack. I had one this afternoon and Mrs Ricardo says thats my limit for the day.

LOL

[/quote]Mrs Ricardo is a sensible woman [;)]I''m about to try and slip into bed without waking Mrs Shack up lest she asks how many alcoholic beverages I''ve had today [:$]

[nutty nigel 7,902]

[quote user="Shack Attack"][quote user="ricardo"]

[quote user="Shack Attack"]

How did the Peroni slip down tonight?
[/quote]

Unfortunately not at all Shack. I had one this afternoon and Mrs Ricardo says thats my limit for the day.

LOL

[/quote]

Mrs Ricardo is a sensible woman [;)]

I''m about to try and slip into bed without waking Mrs Shack up lest she asks how many alcoholic beverages I''ve had today [:$]
[/quote]

They always know Shack!

 

[Graham Humphrey 13]

Another top-class performance from Ricardo to go with the team''s [Y]

[Shack Attack 0]

[quote user="nutty nigel"][quote user="Shack Attack"][quote user="ricardo"]

[quote user="Shack Attack"]How did the Peroni slip down tonight?[/quote]

Unfortunately not at all Shack. I had one this afternoon and Mrs Ricardo says thats my limit for the day.

LOL

[/quote]Mrs Ricardo is a sensible woman [;)]I''m about to try and slip into bed without waking Mrs Shack up lest she asks how many alcoholic beverages I''ve had today [:$][/quote]

They always know Shack!

[/quote]

I know Nutty. But if I can get into bed without waking her the postmortem is put off until the morning [;)]

[Joanna Grey 0]

Thanks Ricardo, I must admit that your match reports are always top-class and the best after match read on this board.

[ricardo 8,034]

[quote user="Mustachio Furioso"]Thanks Ricardo, I must admit that your match reports are always top-class and the best after match read on this board.[/quote]

Thanks for your kind comments. It''s nice to know that people find my remarks of interest.

[Simon Lappin, King Of Spain 0]

[quote user="Canary Wundaboy"]Can''t argue with any of that Ricardo, however credit goes to Orient for keeping us out as long as they did. They were on every single player all the time, didn''t give us any time or space, and even the chances we had, while solid, were lightening fast and were forced. Orient played really well but the moment the first goal came, their heads dropped and I''m not suprised the scoreline ended up as it did. Docherty played brilliantly, Jamie scored, we kept a clean sheet, Rudd make a couple of decent saves, everyone looked lively (if a little goal shy) but overall it was a really good performance.

Special mention goes to the red-carded t***, absolutely horrific challenge, last of a series of dirty ones by Orient, ref got it spot on as he did all night (mostly, one penalty appeal for us which I reckon should''ve been given, but we got enough luck for one night!). Linesman at the N&P end needs new glasses, awful all evening.
[/quote]

I''ve seen the incident on the telly and it looked to me like a both player dived in, Drury had his studs up and went in with both feet, it could have been a red for him if he''d timed it a little later. I''m not disputing that Melligan''s challenge was reckless and late it''s just that Drury''s appeared to be only marginally less so, possibly even deserving of a yellow card. Having said that, it''s about time we got a big refereeing decision going our way after the Nicky Bailey incident and Foster''s sending off!

[B-ru 0]

I am a fan of the Ricardo analysis, one that have always agreed with thus far.

Been waiting for it all day, and you didn''t disappoint.

You don''t have to go on and on like some reports on here that over anaylse every tiny detail.  [Y]

[Mister Chops 7]

Good stuff, Ricardo.

[canary cherub 1]

A good read as always Ricardo.

As posted elsewhere, the goals were a fitting tribute to Terry Bly don''t you think?

 

[ricardo 8,034]

[quote user="canary cherub "]

A good read as always Ricardo.

As posted elsewhere, the goals were a fitting tribute to Terry Bly don''t you think?

 

[/quote]

Indeed CC.

For me, Terry''s best goal was the late winner against Cardiff City in the Fourth round. He cracked it in from a narrow angle just when we were all settling for a replay at Ninian Park. I was only 13 at the time but it will stay in my memory forever.

[Buncey 1]

Top stuff as always [Y]

[gazzathegreat 0]

Great report Ricardo. I know this is off the topic of the thread, but is there any chance of you attending the PUPS Christmas meeting, I am sure I''m not alone on this messageboard in hoping to meet you in person one day.

Keep up the good work!

[ricardo 8,034]

[quote user="gazzathegreat"]Great report Ricardo. I know this is off the topic of the thread, but is there any chance of you attending the PUPS Christmas meeting, I am sure I''m not alone on this messageboard in hoping to meet you in person one day. Keep up the good work![/quote]

Anything is possible Gazza.

Whether it is probable depends on date and time and any prior arrangements Mrs. Ricardo may have. Sorry I can''t be any more specific at this time.

[Taxing 0]

" The opener, when it came was as sweet as a little nut. Wes to Korey Smith and quickly on to Martin, whose powerful shot arrowed into the bottom corner. "

Reminded me of a Chris Sutton goal against Everton at Carrow Road many years ago, Ricardo. Good to see you are still match reporting ! I haven''t been on this MB for months but I seem to be getting "Connection problems" all the time.