Millhousesblade1889
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Coopers throw was absolutely nowhere near his own goalUnited – A much more comfortable afternoon than I thought it might be and a very good performance. When I saw we had more or less the same team as Watford (weaker with Brooks out) I thought it may be a real slog but actually it was a really good performance where controlled the game with and without the ball. It was even to start and they had a few attacks/corners in the first 10 minutes, but after this we gradually got on top and started to pen them back. They continued to try and play it out and this tactic would prove to be their undoing. Our press was not always right on them and we had to choose when to go and when to wait (sort of soft to medium rather than hard press!) but in the end they made mistakes often without even that pressure. We started to have more of the ball where it mattered and a few half chances -McCallum had a very good one from the corner and a few other where it just did not drop or Brewster had some driven shots deflected. Hamer and O’Hare started to become more influential, you felt a goal coming. It was a decent shot and after this O’Hare should have scored a second on half time.
I thought Norwich may come out and have more of a go but it just carried on with more of the same with us having less of the ball but looking far more dangerous. We had more chances and then the second came from a penalty. After this, they made changes but there was only really one side who looked like scoring again and we had a number of good chances or moments we could not quite be clinical enough. O’Hare had at least 3 really good chances and a few deflected wide or the keeper made saves. They never really hurt us at all and we won all the loose stuff and used it intelligently. Thought we played pockets of nice stuff and used it really well. It was just a solid performance and 2-0 probably flattered them in the end. We got to see a few back (Davies and McCallum went off injured – hopefully not too bad) so it was 2 back and 2 out but Campbell and Seriki gave us some options we have not had off the bench! Not sure anyone played badly. Brewster and McCallum were just average but the rest played well or very well. Hamer, O’Hare, Peck, Anel and Burrows were my stand outs but to say I have named maybe the 5 best players on the pitch summed up our domination.
We go back top (before Leeds, as I expect them to do, will probably beat Wednesday) but at least with Burnley and Sunderland dropping points, we make up some points we had lost over the Xmas period. We have a long trip to Swansea and they play in a similar fashion to Norwich – tippy, tappy, play out from the back so hopefully we can play on this again. They lost to Leeds and Sunderland but gave them problems at home, in high scoring games. Hopefully, their very open style can see some of our creative players cause them problems. A draw would not be the worst result with Hull and Derby on the agenda – both struggling.
We now see if we can get Souza and Rak Sakyi back but also await the additions which seem very imminent from Wilder’s post-match interview. Of course, Brereton Diaz was there today so you would think that is close and Cannon seemingly is close too. I think we still need a centre back as got no cover there and need another dominant player in here (both fine today though) and another midfielder (Choudhury would be a fantastic addition for the run in) with Davies and Peck playing so much and not having a break.
Ratings:
Cooper 6/10 – Not a lot to do at all in general play but fine for the most part with some decent kick outs and kept it moving. Took a few routine crosses/balls and did well to cut out a cross but cannot remember a proper save all game? The only issue was he throw out which saw him hit Robinson and it nearly ended up in his own net. Sums it up really, that this moment was the closest Norwich came to scoring! Good to get him back to getting a clean sheet and be well protected after a run of games where he had too much to do.
Gilchrist 6/10 - Ok. A few decent tackles and blocks but a few moments where he did not get close enough to his man or his positioning let him down but he often recovered and got back. Still poor in possession at times but he also had a few bits of play where he did ok. I still think teams see him as the weak link at the back and today with O’Hare and Hamer swapping a fair bit, Norwich did attack more down here. Felt we saw an improvement when Seriki came on and wonder if he play more of the home games due to the amount of attacks/possession we normally have?
Burrows 7.5/10 – Will probably get all the man of the match awards for scoring two and a decent performance if not outstanding but of course goals always get the headlines. I thought we had 3 or 4 who played better as odd as that sounds but he still was good and took his goals well, nice to see a long range shot put in and also a competent penalty. Always a threat as he got up and down. Thought he may get a hat trick as we had that late free kick and another few breaks. When was the last time a left back scored two in a game (Martin Pike springs to mind was it at Notts County going back to 1988! There must have been someone since then – not sure Enda did- recall Gage doing it at Luton and have a feeling he may have been left back that day?).
Ahmedhodzic 7.5/10 – Thought he was very good today and only reason I probably am not scoring him higher as Norwich barely threatened and were so punchless in attack but he has to take some credit for that too. Came onto the ball first and won every header/tackle. Read the game well and just looked a class act. It is odd as he struggled so much as the top level but in the Championship he looked levels above in terms of his poise, positional sense and play on the ball. Shows the step up sadly but maybe in a better and more confident team, if we did go up, he may give a better account. He was really composed and just oozed class today. Even when Sargent came on, he barely had a kick.
Robinson 7/10 – I am not always his biggest fan due to the errors he commits and chances he takes but he too was rock solid today and won the ball when it came forward, imposed himself and did not give them a sniff. He almost scored an own goal, but was not his fault of course! He did what he had to do today and some good crunching tackles and blocks too.
Davies 6.5/10 – Thought he was steady if not outstanding. Got his foot in, moved it on and just did the basics. Think he won the ball in the build up to the first? A few give aways/loose touches but Norwich never capitalised. He was fine and we won the midfield, picking up most of the loose balls and made sure when it mattered we had the ball in the more dangerous areas. Got a pull on his groin to quote Wilder (sounds rude!) but hopefully nothing serious but with Souza back, hopefully him and Peck will get a game or two off in the coming month or so and can be rotated.
Peck 7.5/10 – Really impressed with him today. Lots of energy and got around the pitch, covering so much ground. He got his foot in, picked up so many of the first and second balls but used it intelligently. Nothing flash but a few good through balls too so was not all sideways/backwards/basic stuff. Felt he kept it better and he gave an incredibly mature performance. His passing was very good today and his choice of pass, where to go and when to go was spot on. His level of effort and industry was shown when he fell to the floor absolutely shattered at full time.
Hamer 7.5/10 – Showed his absolute class with some sublime touches and bits of skill. Often when he had it, we looked our most dangerous. He nearly scored a worldie with that effort from half way but so much of our good play came from him nicking the ball and then sending us on the attack with a forward pass, run or piece of interplay. Some things did not come off and still a few petulant fouls (did not get booked at least today!) but he looks a class above most, if not all on the field.
McCallum 5.5/10 – Thought he, along with Brewster, was our weakest player even though he won a penalty. He was not bad by any stretch. He was just ok but often first half the ball came off him when he had it. Missed a good chance with the shanked finish and then misplaced a few other passes. Few pieces of link play, flick ons and headers but not sure on the ball he was as sure as many others. Did win the penalty as he nicked the ball and got his body in the way, buying a stupid tackle. He picked up a knock too, joining the ever-growing injury list but again hope it was more precautionary!
O’Hare 7.5/10 – He continues to impress and his level of work rate was superb again as he led the press and continued to buzz around. Some lovely link play, passes and combination stuff. He was very good in most things he did and some good dribbles/carries. His continual pressing of the defence and ability to harry was something else and so underrated. He has played almost every game too. It is so admirable his work ethic and ability to keep chasing/running. The only criticism is he had to score today! Had 4 or 5 good chances – a one on one first half and a few others where he got blocked/the keeper saved – the deflected one not sure how Gunn got to though! Excellent performance but took 0.5-1 mark off for the misses!
Brewster 5.5/10 – Sure, some may pan this mark but through whilst he was not awful, the game sort of him passed him by for long spells again. He had a few shots and some ok bits of link play first half but also felt he did not make runs or was too static when the players had the ball asking for a run. He does not play on the last man and comes too deep for it. We often had no one in the box when we attacked and he was the most advanced striker of course? Second half he dropped off and was not really involved much at all. Felt he should have come off long before he did. A good striker who was pressing more on two poor centre halves and with lots of good play also from O’Hare and Hamer would have got at least one goal but he never is in the right area or anticipates. Maybe I am being too harsh?
Subs -
Seriki 7.5/10 – Once again a really impressive cameo from the bench. Got on the ball, ran at them and some great slalom runs where he carried the ball and beat his man more than once. He has an impressive range of skills and love his positive play. Just sets them back and made sure they had to go the other way. Almost showing the best form of attack is attack! Been a positive surprise this season and great to have him back.
Norrington Davies 6/10 – Thought he was going to be out for a longer period after the injury (and disastrous game against Cardiff) but came on and did ok. Won a few headers/blocks and did the basics.
Campbell – Not given much time but nearly got in and in the brief time he was on, showed more movement than Brewster and won a free kick after being played in. Another nice sight to have him back and if Cannon/BBD are coming in, we have some real options up there now – albeit Moore may be out for a few weeks.
Manager: Wilder 7/10 – A clean sheet, a solid win and despite still having a bit of a patched-up team, we won at a canter. The only knock, is that we could have won by a few more but that is being greedy. We looked a side that is quite a few levels above Norwich and won every department. Tactically he got it spot on, knowing when to press and when to sit off and have almost a soft press. They caused issues by overplaying but we went after them when we knew we could profit. We got a deserved lead, the second came as they were preparing changes with Sargent etc coming on and then just eased to a win after this. A solid, professional performance where we won our races/battles but also played some good football. Did not need to have tons of the ball – when we had it, we were effective. Seemed confident and buoyant we are going to bring a few in soon and hopefully we can be stronger by the end of the month.
Norwich – Thought start of the season they would be in and around the playoffs. They have changed the squad around a bit and have a new manager but still thought there was enough quality. Sainz is obviously the leading scored in the league with 15 goals. I know they have been a bit up and down this season and have lost Sainz to suspension. Also like us have had injuries but I did expect them to give us a tougher game. They seem a side that is much better at home than away looking at the records and today they looked a real soft touch and lacked the belief to get a result. Oddly, they started ok and were well in the game but gradually started to cough up possession and we just stated to dominate. The goal was coming when it came and then they never really responded. The bizarre tactic of playing it out from the keeper to two clumsy and less than technically sound centre backs, that cost them the goal really – as it came from that – was persisted with. It was like this is the way we have been told to play (and much like Swansea and others) we will keep doing it, no matter what as that is the way we can get out and create. It was not working. Even when we did not press, they still lost it as the players at the back are not good or quick enough to bring it forward. Their passing from these areas and indeed throughout the game was sloppy and poor and they never really had any moves of note all game. They kept kicking it out constantly and it was very hot potato but lacked penetration too.
Not sure Cooper had a save to make – they had mostly long-range efforts and after the second went in, they sort of give up and seemed more worried about conceding more. They should have done if it was not for Gunn, who made some mistakes and baffling decisions but also made some good saves too. They did not even seem a team that thought it we get a goal; we may get another. Even the changes made no difference. Looked a really poor side and far worse than I expected. They had so much of the ball but was pointless possession really. They had most of it at the back and then went nowhere or gave it away. I think they will probably finish about mid table (right where they are) but on that evidence may fall away even more -admittedly they may get some key players back and of course are strong at home. It was the poorest Norwich side I have seen the Lane for a long time as despite them not being the yo yo side they had been, they still had been around the playoffs but looked a long way short today.
Opponent Man of the Match – No one really stood out. The goalie could fit into either category here! He made some stupid mistakes (the goal he made the ill-advised pass and maybe should have done better on the goal – weak wrists?) and flapped on crosses. Needed to stop passing it out when it was causing problems. However, he made quite a few superb saves (the Hamer one from the attempted chip, the deflected one was amazing and a few others too) so he really could be in either section! Hernandez was probably the most dangerous players and the only one who tried to run at us and make something happen but seemed frustrated with the lack of help from others around him.
Opponent Weak link - I thought the two centre halves were atrocious. Slow, cumbersome, and asking for trouble. Duffy is experienced but took too many risks. Doyle was as bad. They were not helped by the decision making either but either could take the award. The midfield were poor and Peck outplayed the experienced McLean. Marcondes was a non-factor too. Dobbin and Crnac were anonymous as out centre halves imposed themselves onto them.
Referee/Officials – Was ok. Nothing that bad really. He did try and make the game flow and was waving people off the floor who were diving. I have seen some say I thought the penalty was soft but he goes though him and is a foul anywhere else on the field and just poor defending. The rest of the game, he tried to let it flow for the most part but then at times he would give soft stuff too – both ways. The bookings were right with Gilchrist after trying a daft shot and racing back and hauling his man down. The Doyle one was cynical too. The ref had no help from his assistants at all – the one on the South Stand side was miles behind play and was guessing for many decisions and then a few other obvious fouls, the ref gave as his two colleagues just stood there.
Crowd – Seemed quiet but was cold and also as we won fairly comfortably without any real incident. Decent crowd despite it being just after Xmas and the temperature. The crowd had a few moments but overall I think they/we could do better to say we are top of the league and was too quiet really. Norwich are always well backed considering the distance but surprised so many stayed right to the end (maybe came on club coaches?) as never looked like scoring or coming back?
