Norwich
Can we play.... Can we play...... Can we play you every week? . Seems we have the Indian sign on Norwich this season, just as we had on the 17th December we were on the receiving end of much pressure but clung on to win the day. It really was "A case for the defence" wasn't it? I have to say JDT appears to have stiffened up the defensive aspect of our game admirably. Could it be something he picked up in his three seasons playing for AC Milan in the notoriously defensive Seria A perhaps? I don't know how the defenders manage to get so many blocks in in the average match but they do and but for the Mola inspired hammerings v Burnley and Preston our goals against column would have a much better look to it.
The usual n
ew manager bounce effect never materialised and poor old David Wagner got his Norwich career of to a losing start. I doubt he'll be all that bothered about being bundled out of the FA Cup at the first attempt as with Norwich currently sitting 11th in the Championship but in this crazy league 11th place is just 3 points away from a play off spot so he'll surely have far more pressing matters to occupy his thoughts. tbh I wouldn't have shed many tears if we had lost yesterday either but it's still funny how engrossed and nervous I became in those final few minutes.
Pears.... 7 I think he could have been many peoples MoM despite only having to make one really top save. Kept goal capably and relatively comfortably for the entire match but greatly helped by some truly remarkable defending. Did I hear the commentator informing us that it was his debut game in the FA Cup or was my mind playing tricks with me?
Carter... 7 Growing into a decent player.
Hyam.... 8 A rock in the centre of defence despite having to switch from right of centre to left of centre so early in the match. Cleared rather too many balls to the edge of our box rather than for the touchline but I'm being a bit picky.
Wharton... N/A
Pickering ... 7 Roasted a couple of times early in the game but once he settled down he gave a strong performance.
Travis... 6 What has happened to Trav? Lost possession with silly short passes too often and whilst he never stops grafting and is frequently in the thick of it he does appear to me to have lost a yard of pace somewhere.
Garrett... 7 Strong performance for one so young.
BBD.... 7 Put in plenty of effort and should have scored a cracker on the stroke of half time which would have sent us in 2-0 up and struck a psychological blow on our opponents. Just too much power applied to his shot when a calmer finish more measured finish would have served him better.
Markanday... 7 Dack got the assist for the goal but Markanday was the player who really made it by chasing down a suicidal Hanley back pass. Resembles Dolan more and more and is looking a more than useful player. Tendency to try and beat one player too many on occasions.
Dack....7 Getting back to his old self. Will never be a quick player but he makes a yard in his head. Bad points yesterday when he was on a couple of occasions beaten too easily on the edge of our penalty area.
Vale.... 7 Top work rate and rewarded with a well taken goal. I do like Vale, he's not an out and out old fashioned striker but does bring his teammates into attacks with intelligent play.
Subs
Phillips... (Wharton 10) 8 What a prospect at just 17! Up against some quality opponents he provided a solid partnership with Hyam.
Rankin-Costello.. (Carter 67) 7 Carter on a yellow seems putting JRC was based more on sensibility than necessity.
Hedges (Vale 68).. 6 Brought on no doubt to provide more defensive capability in order to msee out the game.
Morton (Dack 88) N/A
JDT.... Our nerves will be frayed beyond belief by the end of the season if the team continues nicking a goal and defending deep for the rest of the match but again came up with the goods after making six changes from last time out.
Ref Gavin Ward... 5 The Ref that the Ewood Park faithful like least but this was the best I've seen from this chap as he elected to let lots of incidents go to the benefit of the action.