Skip to main content

Matchday Thread Norwich City v PNE - 09/12/23 - KO:3PM - Championship

  • Thread starter Thread starter JK
  • Start date Start date

Matchday Thread Norwich City v PNE - 09/12/23 - KO:3PM - Championship

Think on reflection it’s all about context

A bore draw when we are flying high, sandwiched between wins - fair dos

A bore draw when we need a response and some gusto following a very poor run - not good enough

That’s how I’m looking back on it. At another time it would be a good result but it felt dogshit watching us sit back after what we’ve just endured
 
jonjonpne said:
I agree. Been saying it for ages opposition cut through our midfield as if they aren't there and defenders/midfielders give opposition all the time in the world to pass through defence or cross a ball with no challenge or block. Simple to rectify. Close down!
Click to expand...
Playing a slightly higher line with our midfield players as well will help that . watching a lot of other teams there is a defined gap between the back line and the defence of about 10 yards or so giving the opposition far less time and space on the ball , the difference between our midfield and defence a lot of the time is probably less than five yards which also contributes to hoof ball up to our isolated forward .
 
I can't disagree with the majority of the opinions here - that we were for the most part consistently outplayed by a team playing in a fast attacking manner. Sure we hung on with some resilient defensive work aided by at least one shocking miss by them and though we very nearly did nick it we could easily have been on the end of a drubbing that might now see RL applying for a job as the Santa Claus at his local Co-op.

There were I thought three particularly bad selection errors on RL's part that didn't make it any easier. These were:

*Playing Hughes as left wing-back. Now don't get me wrong I fully appreciate that Hughes brings a degree of resilience and determination to the team that can be very useful. But the blunt fact is that he simply no longer has the legs to play any role that requires sustained movement up and down the pitch. Also his crossing from wide is all too often over hit and by the time it comes down to headable height is almost at the far side of the penalty area. The only position in which Hughes can make any consistent worthwhile contribution is the left of a back three - in that position he has enough mobility to get in the way of attackers, can send the ball long range and downfield with some accuracy and can launch the occasional charge upfield with the ball. I know we do not currently have a proper left wing-back but Cunningham who can bend a cross in from wide and is probably just a bit more agile would surely be a better option.

*Playing Millar as part of a strike partnership. Sure Millar has pace and energy and did a lot of running yesterday but to just about no effect. One ability he totally lacks is that of controlling the ball when he receives it with his back-to-goal - he is invariably hustled out of possession and the ball just just comes straight back at us. Nor as should be obvious by now as well is he any sort of wing-back. What he is is a wide attacking player whose ideal position would be on the right of a front three cutting in and running at the heart of the opposition defence - when he did that yesterday he won a freekick from which we almost scored with a neat glancing header by someone. But shoehorning him into a role as yesterday in which he is patently totally ineffective is utter folly.

*Starting Evans. I've gone on about this enough. Evans can make an impact as a final 20-30 minutes sub against tiring defenders but when he starts he huffs and puffs again to no effect. Is RL ever going to recognise that.

So are there any signs of hope? Well as I have said before if Osmajic and a fit again Riis are paired together upfront I think we will go from being toothless to having one of the most dangerous strikeforces in this division. Otherwise I think it likely that the utter dross of the two matches before yesterday was due in part to sheer demoralisation after what happened a fortnight ago. Hopefully yesterday's result has restored some spirit. Let's move on - a more attacking line-up with a more attacking mindset and players in their rightful positions is required for Tuesday. RL has to ensure that is the case.

Oh and one final thing. I went to the match yesterday with a friend who lives in Ipswich who gives that team her allegiance though she hasn't actually seen them or until yesterday any other team play since Bobby Robson was managing her hometown team. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was attuned to the chants from the homes supporters which I missed directed against her home town club even though they were playing elsewhere. But she did remark that the atmosphere amongst the PNE supporters seemed relaxed and good-humoured. That is one the things about this club. Nice that someone from elsewhere noticed it.
 
The way I see it now is, its a when not if Lowe gets potted/moves on. The football is dire and the fans are turning more and more against him by the week. It isn’t unnoticed above either.

Lowe was backed in Preston terms with a creative midfielder and a Striker. One hardly starts and the other is often subbed off despite us chasing a goal.

I’ve seen a few mention it before and thats the team being so deep (midfield and defence) that long ball or rather a hoof is all we have. The system becomes a back 5 all too quickly with the 2 central midfielders on the toes of the 3 CB’s. Yesterday was a back 7 for large parts and was a really tough watch.

Despite the 0-0 we really should have lost, Norwich missed an absolute sitter, had a few other decent chances but also got to the final 3rd countless times before making the wrong decision.

Hopefully things pick up soon or a decision on Lowe is made before the bottom 4 close the gap to an uncomfortable margin
 
OOOO3 said:
Totally agree. I want Lowe to go asap but I’d have taken a 0-0 at Norwich. But I expect 3 points at Huddersfield this week.
Click to expand...
Prior to the game I said I wanted to see a clean sheet today, it was vital. We got that clean sheet with relative ease, its something to build on whether Lowe stays or goes.
 
raefil said:
Prior to the game I said I wanted to see a clean sheet today, it was vital. We got that clean sheet with relative ease, it’s something to build on whether Lowe stays or goes.
Click to expand...
Agree. Our defence this year is atrocious. My only concern is Lowe can’t do both.
 
raefil said:
Prior to the game I said I wanted to see a clean sheet today, it was vital. We got that clean sheet with relative ease, its something to build on whether Lowe stays or goes.
Click to expand...


this was due to Norwich being so wasteful, not by a fantastic all round display from PNE, ffs your rose coloureds are blinding you
 
I watched the match and thought it a deserved ground out point in a game that was low on skill and entertainment. All points have to be earned and no one rolls over in this division. We’ve been criticised for not keeping a clean sheet for 14 matches and after achieving one it’s still not good enough for most on here. A reality check is that after a third of the season we’re a couple of points outside the playoff positions. Recent posters wanting RL out have sung the praises of Alex Neil(Stoke) and Steven Schumacher(Plymouth )but look where their teams are in the league. Poor Alex has lost his job today with Gally in charge temporarily.
 
Dick Dastardly said:
I watched the match and thought it a deserved ground out point in a game that was low on skill and entertainment. All points have to be earned and no one rolls over in this division. We’ve been criticised for not keeping a clean sheet for 14 matches and after achieving one it’s still not good enough for most on here. A reality check is that after a third of the season we’re a couple of points outside the playoff positions. Recent posters wanting RL out have sung the praises of Alex Neil(Stoke) and Steven Schumacher(Plymouth )but look where their teams are in the league. Poor Alex has lost his job today with Gally in charge temporarily.
Click to expand...

We've also been criticised for being dull as fuck and not making any chances. Our freak start can only carry us so far.
 
I went to the game on Saturday, first game I have managed to get to for a few years, shit fan yes I know! Last game I went to also at Norwich which was also a draw. I went with my son in law who lives in Norwich although he is an Arsenal fan. Given the run of results it was understandable the defensive display by north end and even though Norwich had more shots, apart from the goal line scrambled clearance late on north end came closest to scoring. I know it’s all about ifs but if the Whiteman shot that hit the bar had gone in we would have been very happy even though the performance was as it was.
we both left with the opinion that neither of the 2 teams will be promotion contenders and neither should be in fear of relegation
with a bit more organisation from north end and attacking intent I felt like we could have been a lot more positive. I won’t repeat what has already been said. It was a pleasure to stand with the away fans this time, good natured, resigned to their lot which was summarised for me when after 55 minutes a chorus of we’ve had a shot was sung! All credit to those who made the journey it’s a long way! Keep up the good work you are great supporters.
hopefully it won’t be as long before I get to the next game
 
Screenshot_20231211_145215_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
ernest said:
I can't disagree with the majority of the opinions here - that we were for the most part consistently outplayed by a team playing in a fast attacking manner. Sure we hung on with some resilient defensive work aided by at least one shocking miss by them and though we very nearly did nick it we could easily have been on the end of a drubbing that might now see RL applying for a job as the Santa Claus at his local Co-op.

There were I thought three particularly bad selection errors on RL's part that didn't make it any easier. These were:

*Playing Hughes as left wing-back. Now don't get me wrong I fully appreciate that Hughes brings a degree of resilience and determination to the team that can be very useful. But the blunt fact is that he simply no longer has the legs to play any role that requires sustained movement up and down the pitch. Also his crossing from wide is all too often over hit and by the time it comes down to headable height is almost at the far side of the penalty area. The only position in which Hughes can make any consistent worthwhile contribution is the left of a back three - in that position he has enough mobility to get in the way of attackers, can send the ball long range and downfield with some accuracy and can launch the occasional charge upfield with the ball. I know we do not currently have a proper left wing-back but Cunningham who can bend a cross in from wide and is probably just a bit more agile would surely be a better option.

*Playing Millar as part of a strike partnership. Sure Millar has pace and energy and did a lot of running yesterday but to just about no effect. One ability he totally lacks is that of controlling the ball when he receives it with his back-to-goal - he is invariably hustled out of possession and the ball just just comes straight back at us. Nor as should be obvious by now as well is he any sort of wing-back. What he is is a wide attacking player whose ideal position would be on the right of a front three cutting in and running at the heart of the opposition defence - when he did that yesterday he won a freekick from which we almost scored with a neat glancing header by someone. But shoehorning him into a role as yesterday in which he is patently totally ineffective is utter folly.

*Starting Evans. I've gone on about this enough. Evans can make an impact as a final 20-30 minutes sub against tiring defenders but when he starts he huffs and puffs again to no effect. Is RL ever going to recognise that.

So are there any signs of hope? Well as I have said before if Osmajic and a fit again Riis are paired together upfront I think we will go from being toothless to having one of the most dangerous strikeforces in this division. Otherwise I think it likely that the utter dross of the two matches before yesterday was due in part to sheer demoralisation after what happened a fortnight ago. Hopefully yesterday's result has restored some spirit. Let's move on - a more attacking line-up with a more attacking mindset and players in their rightful positions is required for Tuesday. RL has to ensure that is the case.

Oh and one final thing. I went to the match yesterday with a friend who lives in Ipswich who gives that team her allegiance though she hasn't actually seen them or until yesterday any other team play since Bobby Robson was managing her hometown team. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was attuned to the chants from the homes supporters which I missed directed against her home town club even though they were playing elsewhere. But she did remark that the atmosphere amongst the PNE supporters seemed relaxed and good-humoured. That is one the things about this club. Nice that someone from elsewhere noticed it.
Click to expand...

Bloody hell Ernest. I bet she was surprised at the price of a pie.

You’re not back at Deepdale any time soon are you?

You could take my mum.

I think Jimmy Greaves was playing the last time she went on.
 
justinr73 said:
Bloody hell Ernest. I bet she was surprised at the price of a pie.

You’re not back at Deepdale any time soon are you?

You could take my mum.

I think Jimmy Greaves was playing the last time she went on.
Click to expand...

Indeed and one of the pics of fans pics on the official site actually captures us in the crowd but I'm not going to tell you which one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top