Holmes_and_Watson

A lot quieter after the subs came on. We snuffed Norwich out, but didn;t see that much from either Downs or BBD. They both looked a little less than sharp. But both (yes, even BBD) probably have more to give. Of the other subs, Matsuki's goal was a screamer, and we controlled the game. Sesay gets a debut and Taylor looked fine, which he mostly always has. No idea what's gone on behind the scenes in his time here. But this was against a much changed, and very poor Norwich side, and we worked hard to give them chances in that first half, before getting ahead. So, this is a confidence booster, but with the knowledge that a lot more is needed across a whole 90 mins than we saw here. Still will be pleased that the midfield of Downes and Charles found some roles and managed to link up. Albeit, Norwich gave them a lot of space. Having three forwards, all capable of coming into the centre to finish made a difference. Archer finished, as did Fraser, with Stewart being very close on a few occassions. We could still do with someone a lot more physical and pacy on one of the flanks. Although Charles did well as the game went on, we also really need an out and out attacking midfielder and someone specialised in breaking play up, rather than relying on Downes in that role all the time. It took time for us to take control, and better sides could really have punished our defending in that first half. A nice win in the end, and we got to see more of the squad get a run out tonight.

Where you can be shot for questioning official party pedantry. A dream move. 🙂

Both Downs and BBD showing rust there. Not controlling it with confidence.

Not far away from Downs there.

oooooft!!!!

When we hired the South American recruitment expert from Norwich, rumour is that she said "But what do you need me for? You have the pinnacle of South American football already in Brereton-Diaz."

BBD comes on!!!

Nearly from Charles. We sort of stopped there as we realised Stewart and Archer weren;t in striking positions. But got a chance out of it.

We do have cover if he needs to see some Doctors.

Fraser!!!!!!! Good reward for his hard work.

You're right. Back to watching to see if our lot can become a Dream Team.

I thought the rule was that only one clone was allowed on a match thread at a time, to stop the duplicate posts? 🙂

I'm too busy watching to see if the Archer(s) gets another goal.

This thread is at a Crossroads. Will it be puns or football commentary?

McCarthy alert to keep that one out through the bodies at the corner.

Fraser just got caught a little there, in getting the pass away. Decent move though.

It was going through my mind too. There's an inevitability to it, and the Norwich fans are only too aware of it. 🙂

Pluses:- Having 2 attackers capable in the centre, actually allows us to create and score. Who knew? Fraser worked hard for a spell, but isn't doing that all game. Mads looked decent, but needs to bed in to see he can raise us and we don't drag him down. I saw Downes pass it forward! I did! Downes and Charles are too similar in the middle. It did begin to look as though it was Downes staying back with Charles moving forward. So that's progress I suppose. I see a fair bit of Norwich. For all our ridiculous defending, they are even worse, and have been for years. We worked hard to be as defensively useless for quite a while tonight, before their mess ups allowed us more control of the game, and a goal. Being one up against them is not fantastic. We were a mess at the back, and all those transfers in are still needed. Stewart did well for the assist, and has very nearly got on the end of a few. Not sure if the deliveries just haven;t been quite there, or it's a bit of sharpness from him too. But every green shoot is to be nurtured, when it comes to our attack.

Give us a chance to train all that skill out of him, and bring him down to our level. 🙂 Suga looked a lot better in his first couple of games.

Charles did seem to take a step too long to pass it.

Gah! Stewart not able to put in Charles' pass.

But the risk of losing possession! The risk! >faint< 🙂

Yay! Archer showing that striker's instinct we all knew he had ready to pounce. 🙂 Mind you, it took a trademark Norwich Comedy calamity to give us enough chances.

'Tis but a scratch of incompetence! Come back here and watch our defenders collide into each other again! 🙂

If his brothers could play on the wing, they'd be starting.