So... What do we go for on Sunday for Wigan game?

[nu_matik 184]

After a very frustrating game and result against Stoke last weekend, I think this weekend we may be up for a whole different kettle of fish at home on Sunday. I''m thinking we''re going to have far more opportunity to play the ball on the floor, the way we like to, and hopefully get a few more balls through and in the goal. I''m sure we''re that if Zak continues with his performances and backed up by either Ward or maybe even Ryan Bennet for a debut, we should be o.k at the back. What formation do you think we should go with for best results?

I think:

Ruddy

R.Martin, Ward, Whitbread, Naughton

Bennett, Fox, Pilkington

Hoolahan

Holt, Jackson

[Pyro Pete 2,353]

I wouldn''t go with the two wingers in the diamond.  That tactic flopped pretty badly against Leicester. I''d go with Pilks on the right and Surman on the left instead.Be interesting to see if Lambert continues with Howson at the expense of Wes. I''d prefer Wes right now.  Maybe Howson could fit into the right midfield slot in the diamond.Do you throw Ryan Bennett into a game you really need to win? Knowing Lambert, yes.

[nu_matik 184]

Yeah, can see what you mean about the wingers/Leicester game, but I feel we wont come up against the kind of attack we did from Leicester who quite clearly wanted to win the game, unlike ive seen from Wigan much this season.

Having not seen Bennet before, im not sure if i''d chuck in him in when Zak And Ward are actually playing quite well together.

[Jacko 0]

...................................Ruddy.........................................

 

Martin................Ward.............Whitbread..........Naughton

 

..........................Fox..................Surman............................

 

Bennett.......................Howson........................Pilkington..

 

.....................................Holt................................................

[nu_matik 184]

That looks pretty good to me. If they''ve worked on that, then i''d say , in General, that could be our best starting 11, with Howson and Hooly swapping depending on success.

[fellowyellow 0]

If Drury is available I would play him on left and Naughton on right - not convinced about Kyle playing on left side - comes inside too often and slows things down.

Ruddy
Naughton, Ward, Whitbread, Drury
Pilkington, Fox, Surman
Hoolahan
Holt, Jackson

[GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 2,035]

As much as we might pretend otherwise, Jackson and Wilbraham will NOT score goals for us in the Premiership.

Can we please for this match, stop overcomplicating the issue, stop messing around and play our 20-goal partnership of Holt-Morison, get the 3 points and put the survival issue to bed once and for all ?!?

[nu_matik 184]

I dont disagree, as much as i''d love it to happen for him, that Wilbraham will score in the prem. That said, He has been pretty impressive in his short bursts the last few weeks. Jackson though, I believe to be different. He see,s to be getting closer and closer. I do think theres something not quite right with Morison though. Not slamming him as he''s been invaluable for us at times... Just cant quite put my finger on whats up of late.

[Mr. Bump 0]

[quote user="fellowyellow"]

If Drury is available I would play him on left and Naughton on right - not convinced about Kyle playing on left side - comes inside too often and slows things down.

Ruddy Naughton, Ward, Whitbread, DruryPilkington, Fox, Surman Hoolahan Holt, Jackson

[/quote]I''d go with this starting 11 as well.

[GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 2,035]

[quote user="Jacko"]

...................................Ruddy.........................................

 

Martin................Ward.............Whitbread..........Naughton

 

..........................Fox..................Surman............................

 

Bennett.......................Howson........................Pilkington..

 

.....................................Holt................................................

[/quote]

You can''t possibly think it can be right to play one striker against the bottom club at home?!?

We should remember what happened in playing this tactic at home to Blackburn earlier this season, when we required a second striker i.e Holt to come off the becnch to scramble a point

[Reggie Strayshun 0]

If you think about it , we are going into pretty uncharted territory on Sunday, in that this is the first game in both this spell and the previous one in the Prem where Norwich City will be seen as red hot favourites to win, not just by Canaries fans, but the football/media world in general . We''re used to City being the underdog, but not the top-dog.

 

So I think PL needs to put out a statement of intent, which is why I too would like to see a second striker selected. A good win v Wigan could set our season back on course again.

[nu_matik 184]

Well said... Deffo need two up front, and that was why I put Jackson alongside Holt. Think a bit of his pace from the off might just s**t them up. Then if needs be, we can bring on Morison and see how he reacts to 20 minutes.

[Jacko 0]

I do indeed Norfolk believe that is our best team. I don’t

believe that Jackson or Wilbraham can score goals at this level. I think you

are right that an on form and firing Steve Morison should be in the team. But

therein lies the problem Norfolk, he isn’t playing well at the moment and isn’t

on form. I accept that the 4231 system can leave your front man isolated. Hence

why I opted for Howson rather than Wes. His game is based more on breaking

beyond the front man and getting closer to them than Wes who just likes to

roam. I don’t think that side would be negative at home. In Fox and Surman you

would have two cultured passes picking the ball up off the back four who could

set us on the front foot.

 

There is a big difference between this and when Lambert

attempted to play 4-3-3 at Man City. Which was undoubted a containing strategy

that invited a lot of pressure from Man City. By failing to include Hoolahan

there was never likely to be any link between Morison and the midfield that

day. Including Johnson and Crofts also meant that we didn’t have any confidence

in our ability to keep hold of the ball for any length on time. Instead we just

trying to get impose ourselves physically on the game and stifle them, which

failed.

[GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 2,035]

the only way that Morison is likely to get back into form is by playing his way back into it and our best hope of him doing that is by being upfront with Holt, not with Jackson and not on his own. What are we going to do ?, never play him again and just discard a £3m, 10 goal striker??. I''ve seen a few posts questioning his fitness but that didnt stop Wales playing him for 90 minutes.

Jackson has had a bit of a run and although always works hard hasn''t scored. Whatever our thoughts are regarding Morison he has proved that he can score at this level and in my opinionstill just about has enough credit in the bank to be given more of a chance.

I could probably count on one hand this season when neither Holt or Morison have scored when theyve both been on the pitch together, this has to be our best bet?

[Fiery Zac 1,066]

Ruddy

Naughton

Ward

Whitbread

Drury

Bennett

Fox

Surman

Pilkington

Holt

Jackson

Bit of everything, pace, height and strength and plenty of width. Only thing lacking is bite in midfield and may be why lambert won''t go with this, but I would love to see it and think it could work against a side that like to ''play'' like Wigan. We should be able to beat them at their own game. IMO these are also the players in form and have earnt their starts.

[smooth 114]

I think it does include our better players but this game needs goal scoring intent.

 

The other major factor that many of you have forgotten is how Victor Moses ripped apart R. Martin, no of course Martin was on show for his first game, but I would rather Naughton on Moses if possible.

 

I also would start with Fox in the middle, EB on the right to help with defending against Moses, Surman out on the left and then maybe now Howson just for that little flair ahead of the other three midfielders.

 

It is really tough at the back cause I would be tempted to bring in ayala once more and bring back the dfensive partnership that has steadied our defence.

 

Upfront, Holt and Morison. He has to prove his point... I however do believe Jackson will score goals in this league, just not as many as Steve Morison. I also believe this idea that he has lightning pace is not so true. Yes he is our paciest striker, but against premiership centre halves he is yet to show that one on one or have the right movement to allow such a ball to cut through a defence.

 

I am being hype critical here with my assesments above. But from them, I would play -

 

Ruddy

 

Naughton, Ayala, Whitbread, Drury

 

EB, Fox, Howson, Surman

 

Morison, Holt

 

Again I expect to be totally wrong with Drury probably not playing, Ward and Martin included, Pilky in for Benno and Jackson in for Morison. But this is a game where a statement needs to be made. We are playing a team desperate for points, they will see this as a team where they can pick up points if they play well and we do not. We need to make sure we play well and have the desire, if so with an early goal we can put this team to bed. They felt there was some injustice in their result against the Swans, we have to show that mean streak and professional nature that Lambert brings to the table.

 

I certainly can see Morison and Holt holding the ball up from Johnny Howson to make a name for himself at Carrow Road. Think if it was this team we could do well, but roll on Sunday I just cannot wait!!!!

[priceyrice 133]

Couple of essential team points for me. Firstly, 2 strikers need to play, i think we have looked a much better side when playing two strikers, the other point it i Think Naughten has to play RB. R Martin has struggled at times this season against pacey, tricky wingers and Moses on Sunday is going to give a right run around to the fullbacks. Drury back to LB, he has been solid defensively when playing, is not a great option for an attacking full back, but we have plenty in midfield and upfront to make up for it.Team         RuddyNaughten   Bennett   whitbred   DruryPilky       Howson   Fox   Surman     Holt     Jackson

[The Gruffalo 0]

[quote user="Pyro Pete"]I wouldn''t go with the two wingers in the diamond.  That tactic flopped pretty badly against Leicester. I''d go with Pilks on the right and Surman on the left instead.Be interesting to see if Lambert continues with Howson at the expense of Wes. I''d prefer Wes right now.  Maybe Howson could fit into the right midfield slot in the diamond.Do you throw Ryan Bennett into a game you really need to win? Knowing Lambert, yes.

[/quote]Very true. I would go with Ruddy, R. Martin, Ward, Whitbread, Naughton, Fox, Surman, Elliott Bennett (as he will give more defensive cover to Martin than Pilks which could be required with Martin up against Moses - remember the first game of the season), Howson, Jackson, Holt.

[The Gruffalo 0]

Actually swap Martin for Drury and then as above.

[Boyo 0]

                          Ruddy

Naughton     Ward      Whitbread   Drury

Bennett         Fox        Surman      Pilkington

                     Holt      Jackson

 

This is the team that is on form and deserves to play.  I was tempted to put Howson next to Fox but Surman is in the form of his Norwich City career atm.  This team is more than capable of beating Wigan IMO.

[lake district canary 0]

[quote]

                          Ruddy

Naughton     Ward      Whitbread   Drury

Bennett         Fox        Surman      Pilkington

                     Holt      Jackson

 

This is the team that is on form and deserves to play.  I was tempted to put Howson next to Fox but Surman is in the form of his Norwich City career atm.  This team is more than capable of beating Wigan IMO.

[/quote]

 

 

[Y] I like this too and with the options off the bench - should be a winner!

 

 

 

[Gingerpele 0]

Can Wilbrahamovic play in all 11 positions?

I think Lambert might try the diamond out with Howson, so:

Ruddy

Naughton, Ward, Whitbread, Drury

Fox

Bennett, Surman

Howson

Holt, Jackson

[shiplee15 0]

I have great faith in Simo and Wilbraham is never gonna hit many goals but is looking lively when brought on towards the end.

For Wigan i''d go

Ruddy

Naughton Martin Whitbreat Drury

Fox

Pilks Surman

Bennett

Holt Jackson

[GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 2,035]

still amazed by so many people''s inclusion of Jackson, who in the last 3 games was poor against Leicester, dragged off at half time vs Man Utd and dropped at Stoke.....seems like people are prepared to cut him a lot more slack than "10 goal striker" Morison, who seems to have been excluded for less??

[Jacko 0]

Norfolk, of course I am not advocating freezing Morison out

altogether. Morison and Holt are the only two strikers at the club I have faith

in at this level. So he is very important to us. In an ideal world the way you

play yourself back into the team is through making some strong showings off the

subs bench. Holt was out of favour when we were playing 4231 with Morison on

his own up front. But his performances off the bench meant that Lambert

eventually had no option but to select him.

 

This is why I am absolutely mystified by the decision to

bring Wilbraham on ahead of him. Granted he is not playing particularly well

but we need to look at the bigger picture here. Morison cost us £2.6 million.

That is massive outlay for a club like ours and hopefully he will play a big

part for the next 2/3 years at least. Wilbraham is likely to leave at the end

of the season when his contract expires. Morison’s confidence must be shot to

pieces which isn’t good in the long term.

 

On current form I stand by that team I have suggested

because I think it gives a solid base, good technical players who will keep the

ball and there is a potential goal threat from all over the team.

[ZLF 335]

Holt is yet to score as a lone striker for us and it''s a role I don''t think if is vgood at. If that''s what we want then morison is best at that.

I would start with Bennett in place of ward and Drury for martin at the back. In the middle revert to the diamond with fox, surman, pilks and Wes behind Holt and Jackson.

[SnakepitCanary 0]

I''d go positive with a 4-4-2, looking like this:

 

Ruddy

R Martin Bennett Whitbread Naughton

Pilkington Fox Howson Surman

Morison Holt

I''d give Morison a chance to win back his place by dominating Wigan''s weak back line.

[Sing up the river end 0]

Ruddy

Naughton-Bennett-Whitbread-Drury

Bennett-Fox-Howson-Surman

Holt-Vaughan(if fit) if not Morrison

[Jacko 0]

I can understand why people want to play with 2 strikers. I understand the need to try to "get at" Wigan before they settle into the game given that their confidence will be very low and they wont exactly have a bumper away following roaring them on. The only concern I have is how effective Howson will be as part of a 2 man midfield. I don''t think we would be getting the best out of him that way. He has even said himself that he enjoys playing behind the strikers the most. Just as you would not get the best out of Hoolahan by asking him to play as an orthodox central midfielder like against Aston Villa. So I think it would have to be the diamond system if we were to play 2 up front. With Howson operating behind.

[Jacko 0]

But given the form of the other forwards I would still prefer to go with 1 up top on Sunday.